Quarantine Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1922 No. 120, made under the Quarantine Act 1908-1920, introduced amendments to the Quarantine Regulations of 1917, specifically targeting the importation of hides and skins into Australia. Enacted by the Deputy of the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations aimed to ensure stricter controls over the importation of animal hides and skins to prevent the spread of diseases such as anthrax, foot and mouth disease, and rinderpest. The policy objective behind these amendments was to safeguard public health and the livestock industry by enforcing stringent disinfection and certification requirements, particularly for hides and skins originating from countries other than New Zealand and Norfolk Island.

Scope and Application

The Quarantine Regulations 1922, made under the Quarantine Act 1908-1920, apply to the importation of hides and skins into Australia. These regulations are specifically concerned with the conditions under which hides and skins can be imported from various countries. The primary aim is to ensure that such imports do not introduce diseases such as anthrax, foot and mouth disease, or rinderpest into Australia. For countries other than New Zealand and Norfolk Island, the regulations require that a declaration from the country of origin must be provided, confirming that the hides or skins were not derived from animals that suffered from or died of specified diseases, or that they have been disinfected according to prescribed methods. This declaration must be made before a magistrate, and in the case of foreign countries, before a British consul or a responsible British official. Additionally, a certificate from a Government Veterinary Officer confirming the accuracy of the declaration must accompany the consignment. The master of the vessel importing these items must retain them until a landing permit from a quarantine officer is obtained, and the hides or skins must then be taken directly to an approved tannery or other approved place for treatment as specified. Furthermore, the tanner must enter into a bond ensuring that the hides or skins will not leave the facility until they have been treated or tanned according to the prescribed methods or as directed by the Chief Quarantine Officer. If the required declaration, certificate, or disinfection is not completed prior to shipment, disinfection must be performed under the supervision of a quarantine officer upon arrival in Australia. The regulations also provide specific requirements for hides and skins imported from New Zealand, requiring only a declaration made before a magistrate and endorsed as correct by a Government veterinary surgeon.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the regulation (1922 No. 120) under the Quarantine Act 1908-1920, as amended, pertain to the importation of hides and skins. These provisions specify the conditions and requirements for the importation of hides and skins from different countries. Section 118, in particular, introduces new conditions for the importation of hides and skins from countries other than New Zealand and Norfolk Island, and modifies the existing conditions for imports from New Zealand. Under these regulations, entities involved in the importation of hides and skins are required to comply with several obligations. For imports from countries other than New Zealand and Norfolk Island, the owner or consignor must provide a declaration made before a magistrate stating that the hide or skin was not derived from an animal that suffered from or died of specific diseases, or that the hide or skin has been effectively disinfected. The consignment must also include a certificate from a Government Veterinary Officer attesting to the accuracy of the declaration. Additionally, the master of the vessel importing the hides or skins must retain them until a landing permit is received from a quarantine officer. Once landed, the hides or skins must be transported directly to an approved tannery or treatment facility and treated according to prescribed methods or directions from the Chief Quarantine Officer. Tanners receiving the hides or skins must enter into a bond of £100 to ensure that the hides or skins are not removed from the facility until they have been properly treated. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the disinfection of the hides or skins upon arrival in Australia under the supervision of a quarantine officer. The regulation also outlines consequences for non-compliance with the specified requirements. Any failure to provide the necessary declaration and certificate for hides or skins from countries other than New Zealand and Norfolk Island, or failure to perform the required disinfection before shipment, results in mandatory disinfection upon arrival in Australia under the supervision of a quarantine officer. Failure to comply with these provisions could lead to legal and administrative repercussions, including fines and other penalties as prescribed by law. These measures are designed to ensure that imported hides and skins do not pose a health risk to Australia and its industries.