Animals (Importation) Control Regulations

11/1953. 3/1968. 47/1982. 3s2 CAP. 211] Belize Agricultural Health Authority 1. CHAPTER211 ANIMALS (IMPORTATION) CONTROL REGULATIONS (Section 5) These Regulations may be cited as the ANIMALS (IMPORTATION)CONTROL REGULATIONS. General 2. No animals shall be imported into Belize except in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations. 3. No animal shall be imported into Belize except in accordance with the tenns of a pennit granted by the Chief Agricultural Officer. 4. ( 1) No animal shall be landed at any port other than Belize City, or at any aerodrome other than the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph ( 1) of this regulation the Chief Agricultural Officer may in his discretion grant a pennit in writing for any animal to be landed elsewhere in Belize subject to such conditions and directions as he may prescribe in such pem1it. 5. ( 1) Every animal before being landed shall be subject to inspection by the Inspector who may (a) if satisfied (i) that any such animal suffers from any disease; or THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE [ Printed by the Government Printer,] No. 1 Power Lane, REVISED EDITION 2003 Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. Belize Agricultural Health Authority [CAP.211 (ii) that any condition of a permit permitting the importation of any such animal has not been complied with, refuse permission for any such animal to be landed; or (b) grant permission for any such animal to be landed either unconditionally or subject to such conditions as he may impose. (2) No animal shall be landed without prior written permission of the Inspector. 6. (1) Subject to the provisions of regulations 5 and 8 of these Regulations every animal shall, if so required by the Inspector upon being landed in Belize, be removed by such means and subject to such conditions as the Inspector may direct to a quarantine depot approved by the Chief Agricultural Officer for the purpose of quarantine and shall there be kept in quarantine for such period as the Inspector may direct. Such directions shall be given on a form as set out in Form A of the First Schedule to these Regulations. (2) The release from quarantine of any animal shall be subject to and dependent upon the result of re-inspection and of any diagnostic examination and any tests which the Inspector may deem necessary to employ for the detection of disease. (3) Notwithstanding the expiry of the period of quarantine directed by the Inspector under paragraph ( 1) of this regulation no animal shall be removed from any quarantine depot without the prior written permission of the Inspector on a form as set out in Form B of the First Schedule to these Regulations. 353 THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE [ Prin.ted by the Governm.ent Printer, ] No. I Power Lane, REVISED EDITION 2003 Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. 354 CAP. 211] Belize Agricultural Health Authority Such permission may be either unconditional or subject to such conditions as may be specified therein. 7. ( 1) All expenses incurred in and incidental to the keeping in quarantine of an animal shall be borne by the consignee of such animal. (2) Every animal shall be kept in quarantine at the risk of the consignee. (3) When any animal, while in quarantine in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations, develops or, in the opinion of the Inspector, shows symptoms of any disease, the spread of which would endanger the health oflivestock in Belize, such animal may, with the approval of the Minister, be destroyed without payment of compensation. 8. The provisions of these Regulations as related to the importation of animals shall not apply to any animals ( other than dogs) imported by or on behalf of the Government of Belize. 9. In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires "Chief Agricultural Officer'' includes any officer of the Agricultural Department authorised by him in writing for the purposes of these Regulations; "Inspector" means the person appointed by the Minister in accordance with section 3 of the Animals (Diseases and Importation) Act. Dogs and Cats 10. ( 1) No canine animal or feline animal shall be imported into Belize except such canine animal or feline animal is imported directly from one of the territories specified in the Second Schedule to these Regulations. THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE [ Printed by the Government Printer,] No. 1 Power Lane, Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. REVISED EDITION 2003 Belize Agricultural Health Authority [CAP.211 (2) No canine animal or feline animal so imported shall be landed unless there is produced a certificate signed by a qualified State or Government Veterinary Surgeon of the Department or Ministry of Agriculture of that State or country. Such certificate shall state that ( a) such canine animal or feline animal is in good health and free from symptoms of infectious and contagious diseases; and (b) there has been no rabies among unquarantined canine animals or other animals in the country or, in the case of the U.S.A., any State from which such canine animal or feline animal was exported during the six months immediately preceding the exportation of such canine animal or feline animal; or (c) the animal has been vaccinated against Rabies with an approved vaccine not less than one month or more than six months immediately prior to the date of exportation of the animal. (3) No canine animal or feline animal so imported shall be landed if, during the period of transportation, it has been in contact with any other canine animal or feline animal other than a canine animal or feline animal (a) in respect of which the certificate referred to in paragraph (2) of this regulation has been given;or (b) which has been released from quarantine in the exporting territory as being in good health 355 THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE [ Prin.ted by the Governm.ent Printer, ] No. I Power Lane, REVISED EDITION 2003 Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. 356 CAP. 211] Belize Agricultural Health Authority and free from any infections and contagious diseases. (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (1) (2) and(3) of this regulation the Minister may, subject to such conditions and restrictions as he may think fit, permit the importation of any canine animal or feline animal from any port or place, other than those territories specified in the Second Schedule to these Regulations: Provided that permission is obtained at least two months prior to the date of the proposed importation. (5) Cats and dogs that are landed in contravention of these Regulations shall be seized by an Inspector and detained, destroyed or otherwise disposed of as the Minister may direct, without liability to the State for such detention, destmction or disposal. ( 6) Any person importing or causing to be imported or assisting in the importation of any cat, or dog in contravention of these Regulations shall be guilty of an offence and on summary conviction shall be liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months. (7) In this regulation, unless the context otherwise requires "canine animal" means a dog and includes all other animals of the canine tribe whether wild or domesticated, and hyena; "feline animal" means a cat and all other animals of the feline tribe whether wild or domesticated. THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE [ Printed by the Government Printer,] No. 1 Power Lane, Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. REVISED EDITION 2003 Belize Agricultural Health Authority [CAP.211 Horses 11. ( 1) No horse shall be imported into Belize except such horse is imported directly from one of the territories specified in the Second Schedule to these Regulations. (2) No horse so imported shall be landed unless there is produced to the Inspector in respect thereof a certificate signed by a qualified State or Government Veterinary Surgeon of the Department or Ministry of Agriculture of that State or country. Such certificate shall state ( a) that such horse is free from foot and mouth disease; or (b) if such State or country is not free from foot and mouth disease, that the area from which it was transported to the port of embarkation is free from foot and mouth disease; and also (c) such horse is healthy and free from infectious disease; ( d) such horse has been subjected to the Mallein test for glanders or farcy with negative results; and (e) so far as it has been possible to ascertain no case of dourine (mal du coit), mal de caderas, glanders, farcy, epizootic lymphangitis, ulcerative lymphangitis, 357 THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE [ Prin.ted by the Governm.ent Printer, ] No. I Power Lane, REVISED EDITION 2003 Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. 358 CAP. 211] Belize Agricultural Health Authority influenza, infectious equine anaemia, encephalomyelitis, or mange has occurred in the stables or on the premises where such horse was kept during the thirty days prior to the date of export. (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs ( 1) and (2) of this regulation the Chief Agricultural Officer may permit any horse to be imported into Belize from Mexico or Guatemala subject to such conditions and directions as he may impose in writing. ( 4) In this regulation, unless the context otherwise requires "horse" includes mare, mule, donkey and zebra. Cattle, Pigs, Sheep and Goats 12. ( 1) No cattle, pig, sheep or goat shall be imported into Belize except any such animal is imported from one of the territories specified in the Second Schedule to these Regulations, or in the event of importation from any other territory subject to any conditions which the Chief Agricultural Officer may so impose. (2) No cattle so imported shall be landed unless there is produced to the Inspector in respect thereof a certificate signed by a qualified State or Government Veterinary Surgeon of the Department or Ministry of Agriculture of that State or country. Such certificate shall state THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE ( a) that such cattle are free from foot and mouth disease; or (b) if such State or country is not free from foot [ Printed by the Government Printer,] No. 1 Power Lane, Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. REVISED EDITION 2003 Belize Agricultural Health Authority [CAP.211 and mouth disease, that the area from which such cattle originated and through which it was transported to the port of embarkation is free from foot and mouth disease; and also (c) are physically sound, in good health, and free of symptoms of paratuberculosis ( J ohne 's Disease) and other infectious diseases; (d) have passed negative to an intradermal tuberculin test within ten days prior to the date of shipment; (e) (i) in the case of males, have reacted negatively to the serum-agglutination test for Brucellosis within thirty days prior to the date of shipment, and in the case of females have reacted negatively to the serum-agglutination test for Brucellosis within thirty days prior to shipment; or (ii) have been inoculated with Brucella abortus vaccine (Strain 19) when between four and eight months of age and within three years prior to the date of shipment; or (iii) have reacted negatively to the serum-agglutination test for Brucellosis and have subsequently and within fourteen days of such negative reaction 359 THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE [ Prin.ted by the Governm.ent Printer, ] No. I Power Lane, REVISED EDITION 2003 Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. 360 CAP. 211] Belize Agricultural Health Authority been inoculated with Bmcella abortus vaccine (Strain 19) when over eight months of age and within three years prior to the date of shipment; or (iv) having been previously vaccinated with Bmcella abortus vaccine (Strain 19) have been re-vaccinated within three years of the previous vaccination and within three years prior to the date of shipment. (3) No pig so imported shall be landed unless there is produced to the Inspector in respect thereof a certificate signed by a qualified State or Government Veterinary Surgeon of the Department or Ministry of Agriculture of that State or cmmtry. Such certificate shall state THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE (a) that such pig is free from foot and mouth disease; or (b) if such State or country is not free from foot and mouth disease, that the area from which such pig originated and through which it was transported to the port of embarkation is free from foot and mouth disease; andalso (c) has originated from a herd where no infectious diseases of swine had existed for at least six months prior to the date of shipment. [ Printed by the Government Printer,] No. 1 Power Lane, Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. REVISED EDITION 2003 Belize Agricultural Health Authority [CAP.211 ( 4) No sheep so imported shall be landed unless there is produced to the Inspector in respect thereof a certificate signed by a qualified State or Government Veterinary Surgeon of the Department or Ministry of Agriculture of that State or country. Such certificate shall state (a) that such sheep is free from foot and mouth disease; or (b) if such State or country is not free from foot and mouth disease, that the area from which such sheep originated and through which it was transported to the port of embarkation is free from foot and mouth disease; and also (c) is physically sound, in good health and free from infectious diseases, and has been in such condition for at least sixty days prior to the date of shipment. ( 5) No goat so imported shall be landed unless there is produced to the Inspector in respect thereof a certificate signed by a qualified State or Government Veterinary Surgeon of the Department or Ministry of Agriculture of that State or country. Such certificate shall state (a) that such goat is free from foot and mouth disease; or 361 THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE [ Prin.ted by the Governm.ent Printer, ] No. I Power Lane, REVISED EDITION 2003 Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. 362 CAP. 211] Belize Agricultural Health Authority (b) if such State or country is not free from foot and mouth disease, that the area from which such goat originated and through which it was transported to the port of embarkation is free from foot and mouth disease; and also (c) has passed negatively to an intradermal tuberculin test within ten days prior to the date of shipment; (d) is free from Brucellosis as indicated by a negative reaction to the serum-agglutination test for that disease; and (e) is physically sound, in good health, free of indications of infectious diseases including Takosis. (6) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this regulation the Chief Agricultural Officer may permit cattle and pigs to be imported into Belize for slaughter purposes subject to such conditions and directions as he may impose in writing. Poult,y 13. ( 1) No bird and/ or egg ( for hatching purposes) shall be imported into Belize except in accordance with a permit granted by the Chief Agricultural Officer and subject to such conditions and directions as he may impose in writing. (2) In this regulation, unless inconsistent with the context "bird" includes domestic fowl, turkey, geese, duck, guinea-fowl, pea-fowl, pigeon, pheasant, parrot, ostriches and the egg of such bird. THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE [ Printed by the Government Printer,] No. 1 Power Lane, Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. REVISED EDITION 2003 Belize Agricultural Health Authority [CAP.211 Carcasses of Cattle, Pigs, Sheep and Goats 14. ( 1) No fresh carcass whether frozen or chilled, nor any cured or pickled carcass of any cattle, pig, sheep or goat, or any portion thereof shall be imported into Belize except such carcass or portion thereof is imported (a) directly from any of the territories specified in the Third Schedule to these Regulations; and (b) in accordance with the terms ofa permit granted by the Chief Agricultural Officer. Animal Products 15. No animal products including hides, skins, horns, hair, wool, dehydrated or fresh blood, bones and bone meal, tankage, hoofs, or milk and other dairy products shall be imported into Belize except in accordance with the terms of a permit issued by the Chief Agricultural Officer. 16. (1) Fodder, Litter and Straw No fodder, litteror straw shall be imported into Belize except ( a) directly from any of the countries specified in the Fourth Schedule to these Regulations, and (b) in accordance with tenns of a permit granted by the ChiefAgricultural Officer. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this regulation, no fodder, litter or straw imported from any country shall be landed in Belize unless there is produced to the Inspector in respect thereof a 363 THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE [ Prin.ted by the Governm.ent Printer, ] No. I Power Lane, REVISED EDITION 2003 Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. 364 CAP. 211] Belize Agricultural Health Authority certificate of the Ministry or Department of Agriculture concerned stating that the area from which such fodder, litter or straw originated and the district through which it was transported to the port of shipment is free from foot and mouth disease. Dung and Garbage 17. (1) No dung ( other than the excrements of birds) shall be imported into Belize. (2) The provisions ofparagraph(l) of this regulation shall not apply to any dung which is contained in any box or crate in which any animal is lawfully imported into Belize. (3) No garbage or waste animal matter shall be discharged from vessels or aircraft within the boundaries of Belize except under such conditions as may be specified by the Chief Agricultural Officer. Used or Second-hand Animal Blankets, Saddle Cloths, Felting, Pads, etc. 18. (1) Nousedorsecond-handanimal blankets, saddle cloth, felting, pad or other similar article shall be imported into Belize. (2) The provision of paragraph (1) of this regulation shall not apply THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE (a) to any articles which accompany and fonn part of the clothing or individual accoutrement of any animal lawfully imported into Belize if such articles were new at the time of shipment, and (b) to mules imported from Mexico or Guatemala under paragraph (3) ofregulation [ Printed by the Government Printer,] No. 1 Power Lane, Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. REVISED EDITION 2003 Belize Agricultural Health Authority [CAP.211 11 of these Regulations. Used or Second-hand Animal Trappings and Poultry Equipment 19. No used or second-hand harness, saddle, halter, rein, girth, rope, yoke, chain, or other trapping or equipment including fittings, utensils, pens, crates or other animal container or poultry equipment including incubators, feeding troughs and other appliances shall be landed in Belize unless such trappings and equipment have been previously treated to the satisfaction of the Chief Agricultural Officer, or shall be treated by the Inspector with an insecticide approved by the Chief Agricultural Officer at the risk of the person to whom the trappings or equipment are consigned before delivery to the consignee. Biological Products 20. (1) No biological product of any animal intended for use in veterinary medicine shall be imported into Belize except in accordance with the tenns of a pem1it granted by the Chief Agricultural Officer. (2) In this regulation "biological product" includes any substance commonly known as vaccines, sera, toxins, anti-toxins and antigens intended for use in the practice of veterinary medicine. 21. No animal semen shall be imported into Belize for use in artificial insemination without the pennission of the Chief Agricultural Officer. Importation Fees 22. Importers of animals will pay fees for inspection as may be gazetted from time to time. 365 THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE [ Prin.ted by the Governm.ent Printer, ] No. I Power Lane, REVISED EDITION 2003 Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. (Reg6) 366 CAP. 211] Belize Agricultural Health Authority FIRST SCHEDULE FORMA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE BELIZE Animal Importation Certificate No. THIS IS TO CERTIFY that I have this day examined the undermentioned animal/animals and (a) find them/it to be healthy and therefore pemlit entry into Belize; (b) find .................................................................................... .. and therefore order that they/it be permitted entry into Belize under the following conditions: (i) quarantined for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... days. (ii) .............................................................. . (iii) .............................................................. . (c) find ............................................................................. . and therefore order thatthey/it be prohibited entry into Belize. 2. Inspection fees of$ .............................................. have been paid. Date Chief Agricultural Officer Number and description ofanimal/animals ................................................ . THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE [ Printed by the Government Printer,] No. 1 Power Lane, REVISED EDITION 2003 Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. Belize Agricultural Health Authority [CAP.211 367 Name of Importer. ............................................................... . Whence Imported ................................................................ . Name of Vessel and Date oflmportation ......................................... . Nature of Documents accompanying the animal/animals .................... .. THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE [ Prin.ted by the Governm.ent Printer, ] No. I Power Lane, REVISED EDITION 2003 Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. 368 CAP. 211] Belize Agricultural Health Authority FORMB MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE BELIZE Animal Quarantine Certificate No. THIS IS TO CERTIFY that the undermentioned animal( s) has/have been received at the Quarantine Station in accordance with Animal Importation Certificate No............ .. . .. . dated Date Chief Agricultural Officer Number and description ofanimals ................................................. .. Na1ne ofin1porter ......................................................................... . THIS IS TO CERTIFY that I have this day examined the above-mentioned animal( s) which was/were received at the Quarantine Station on ........... and declare them/it fit to be released from Quarantine. 2. The animal(s) has/have been delivered to ............................... who by signature hereunder acknowledges receipt of same. Date ........................................... . ......................................... . Chie f Agricultural Officer RECEIVED the abovementioned animal( s ). Date .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . Signature ............................ . THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE [ Printed by the Government Printer,] No. 1 Power Lane, Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. REVISED EDITION 2003 Belize Agricultural Health Authority [CAP.211 SECOND SCHEDULE (Regs. 9, 10 and 11) Canada United States of America The Commonwealth Caribbean Islands and Guyana THIRD SCHEDULE Great Britain Canada New Zealand Australia United States of America The Commonwealth Caribbean Islands and Guyana FOURTH SCHEDULE (Reg. 12) (Reg. 13) Canada United States of America The Commonwealth Caribbean Islands and Guyana 369 3/1968. 3/1968. 3/1968. THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE [ Prin.ted by the Governm.ent Printer, ] No. I Power Lane, REVISED EDITION 2003 Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize.