STATUTORY RULES.
1924. No. 98.
REGULATION UNDER THE QUARANTINE ACT 1908–1920.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the Quarantine Act 1908–1920, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this ninth day of July, 1924.
FORSTER,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
R. V. WILSON,
for Minister for Health.
Amendment of Quarantine Regulations 1922.
The Quarantine Regulations 1922 (Statutory Rules No. 18 of 1923) are hereby amended—
(1) by inserting the following regulation after regulation 78 (C):—
78 (C.I): In the case of horses from Fiji:—
1. A declaration from the owner certifying—
(a) that the animal has been free from disease during the six months next preceding the date of shipment.
(b) that it has not been in contact with any animal suffering from disease during the six months next preceding the date of shipment.
2. A certificate by the Government Veterinary Surgeon:—
(a) that the animal is free from disease;
(b) that he has knowledge that the animal has not been within any country from which the importation of horses into Australia is prohibited under the Quarantine Act within the three years next preceding the date of shipment.
(c) that during the six months next preceding the date of shipment no horse, ass or mule was imported into Fiji from any country other than Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Canada, or the United States of America; and
(d) that he has applied the mallein test with negative results.
C.9109.—Price 3d.
(2) by inserting the following words after the ninth line of regulation 80A (1):—
“Horses from Fiji—28 days.”
(3) by omitting sub-paragraph (ii) of regulation 68A (1) (a) and inserting in its stead the following sub-paragraph:—
(ii) Exposure to steam for 30 minutes at a pressure of 5 lbs., and at a temperature of 215 degrees Fahrenheit.
(4) by inserting the following words after the word “lb.” in the last but one line of regulation 128 (d):—
“but do not exceed 8 lbs.”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by H. J. Green, Acting Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Statutory Rules of 1924, No. 98, are regulations made under the Quarantine Act 1908–1920, and they serve to amend the Quarantine Regulations 1922. Enacted by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations address the need to update the existing quarantine measures for imported horses, particularly those from Fiji, to ensure they meet the health standards required to prevent the introduction of diseases into Australia. The primary objective of these regulations is to enhance the existing quarantine protocols by imposing stricter conditions and additional documentation requirements for horses imported from Fiji, thereby mitigating the risk of disease transmission.
Scope and Application
The Quarantine Regulations 1922, as amended by Statutory Rules 1924 No. 98, pertain to the importation of horses into Australia from Fiji and impose specific requirements and conditions for such importation. The regulations apply to individuals or entities, specifically the owners of horses, and the government veterinary surgeons who must certify the health status of the animals. These regulations extend to the Commonwealth of Australia, governing the conditions under which horses from Fiji can enter the country. The amendments introduce a requirement for a declaration from the horse owner certifying the animal's disease-free status for six months prior to shipment and a certificate from a Government Veterinary Surgeon attesting to the horse's health, among other conditions. The regulations also specify quarantine periods and treatment protocols, including exposure to steam at a specified temperature and pressure to ensure the horses are free from contagious diseases. The amendments further refine certain technical specifications regarding the weight and treatment of horses upon entry into Australia.
Key Provisions
The Quarantine Regulations 1924, as amended under the Quarantine Act 1908–1920, introduce several specific requirements and procedures for the importation of horses from Fiji. Firstly, regulation 78 (C.I) mandates that horse owners must provide a declaration (section 1(1)) certifying that the animal has been free from disease and has not been in contact with any diseased animal for the six months prior to shipment. Additionally, a certificate from the Government Veterinary Surgeon is required, which confirms the animal is free from disease, that the animal has not been in a prohibited country within three years prior to shipment, and that no horse, ass or mule was imported into Fiji from certain countries within six months prior to shipment (section 1(2)). The Veterinary Surgeon must also confirm that the mallein test was applied with negative results.
These regulations impose specific obligations on parties involved in the importation of horses from Fiji. Owners of horses must ensure they provide the necessary declaration and certificate as stipulated. The Government Veterinary Surgeon has the responsibility to conduct a thorough examination of the horses, including the application of the mallein test, and issue the appropriate certificate. These requirements aim to prevent the introduction of disease into Australia, ensuring the health and safety of native livestock and the equine population.
Failure to comply with the provisions of these regulations may result in serious consequences. Although specific penalties are not detailed within the excerpt provided, non-compliance with the Quarantine Act 1908–1920 can generally lead to civil or criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties could involve imprisonment. The exact penalties depend on the severity and nature of the breach, and are further outlined in other sections of the Quarantine Act or associated legislation.