Regulations for the Importation of Wild Carnivores into Malaysia

REGULATIONS FOR THE IMPORTATION OF WILD CARNIVORES INTO MALAYSIA (Empowered Under Section 8 of Animal Rules 1962) 1. Approval of Import 1.1 Application for importation of the animals into Malaysia shall be made in writing to the Director General of Veterinary Services, Malaysia (hereinafter referred to as the Director General). 1.2 An import permit shall be obtained from the Director General giving permission for the importation of such animals. 1.3 An import clearance shall be obtained in writing from the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Malaysia as may be required under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), prior to issuance of the import permit. 2. Veterinary Health Certification The consignment of animals shall be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate in English issued and signed by a competent veterinary officer of the veterinary authority of the country of export, containing proper identification of the animals and the names and addresses of the consignor and the consignee. The competent veterinary officer shall certify that: 2.1 The animals originate from an area or premise that has been free from rabies and other infectious and contagious diseases of carnivores during the preceding 12 months; 2.2 The animals have been kept in quarantine at a government approved quarantine facility for a period of not less than 14 days and have been vaccinated for rabies, distemper, hepatitis and leptospirosis; 2.3 The animals were treated with officially approved remedies (providing the list of treatments) for external and internal parasites; 2.4 The animals have been examined regularly during quarantine and within 24 hours of export and found to be healthy, free of clinical signs of diseases and external parasites and were fit to travel. 3. Transportation 3.1 The animals shall be transported in suitable new or disinfected crates by sealed trucks direct from the quarantine facility to the approved airport or port of embarkation in the country of export. 3.2 Once inside the aircraft or vessel, the crates and the cabin or compartment shall be sprayed with an approved insecticide immediately before the doors of the cabin or compartment are closed to ensure that the animals, crates and all other associated material are free from insects. 3.3 From the airport or port of embarkation, an aircraft or a vessel shall carry the consignment of animals direct to the approved airport or port of disembarkation in Malaysia. 4. Quarantine in Malaysia 4.1 Upon arrival in Malaysia, the animals and the accompanying documents shall be surrendered to the Officer of the Department of Veterinary Services, Malaysia (hereinafter referred to as the Department) at the airport of port of disembarkation. 4.2 The animals shall be transported in sealed trucks direct from the airport or port of disembarkation to the designated zoo or establishment. 4.3 The animals shall be kept in isolation from other animals in the zoo or establishment for a period of 30 days for further observation and/or disease investigation. 4.4 Should any animal show symptoms or signs of disease or infection, all animals shall be subjected to relevant laboratory tests or any other action deemed fit, at the expense of the importer. 4.5 Upon confirmation of any disease (infectious, contagious or zoonotic), an appropriate action shall be taken by the Department including destroying the animals at the expense of the import and without compensation. 5. Other Conditions 5.1 The importer shall provide the Director General or the Officer of the Department at the airport or port of arrival, the following information at least 72 hours before arrival of the animals. a the number of animals in the consignment b the expected date of arrival c the airport or port of disembarkation in Malaysia d the farm or establishment where the animals in the consignment will be kept 6. Contravention Importation of animals in contravention to these regulations shall at the discretion of the Director General be returned to country of origin or disposed of in any manner deem fit. 7. Right to Amend the Regulations The Director General reserves the right to amend any conditions and the charges or fees as stipulated herein without prior notice. E. Import Fees The following fees shall be payable to the Director General or the State Director of Veterinary Services: i. Import permit = RM 5.00 per head ii. Quarantine fee = RM 4.00 per head iii. Inspection fee = RM 50.00 per consignment Department of Veterinary Services Ministry of Agriculture Malaysia (October 2000)