ANIMAL QUARANTINE PROTOCOLS & LEGISLATIONS IN INDIA
by-DR RAJESH KUMAR SINGH ,JAMSHEDPUR, JHARKHAND,INDIA 9431309542,rajeshsinghvet@gmail.com
Quarantine ——–
“Quarantine” means the process to confirm any animal, animal products or animal production inputs whether diseased or not and put such animal, animal products or animal production or inputs in isolation in specific place, together with or separately for a period of time as prescribed for their inspection.
Quarantine “To separate and restrict the movement of healthy animals which may have been exposed to a communicable disease to see if they become ill. • “to separate ill having a communicable disease from those who are healthy” It is not quarantine but isolation. • Term comes from quarantena, meaning forty-day period. • Very old history: Mentioned in Old Testament.
This was practiced as a measure of disease prevention related to the Black Death. • Between 1348 and 1359 the Black Death wiped out about 30% of Europe’s population, as well as a significant percentage of Asia. • The original document from 1377, which is kept in the Archives of Dubrovnik, states that before entering the city, newcomers had to spend 30 days (a trentine) in a restricted location (originally nearby islands) waiting to see whether the symptoms of Black Death would develop. Later on, isolation was prolonged to 40 days and was called quarantine. • A multilateral international sanitary convention was concluded at Paris on 17 January 1912. This convention was most comprehensive and was designated to replace all previous conventions on that matter. • It was signed by 40 countries, and consisted of 160 articles. Ratifications by 16 of the signatories were exchanged in Paris on 7 October 1920. Another multilateral convention was signed in Paris on 21 June 1926, to replace that of 1912. It was signed by 58 countries worldwide, and consisted of 172 articles.
Signals and flags to indicate diseases —————
• Plain yellow, green, and even black flags have been used to symbolize disease both in ships and ports, with the color yellow having a longer historical precedent, as a color of marking for houses of infection, previous to its use as a maritime marking color for disease.
• The present flag used for the purpose is the “Lima” (L) flag, which is a mixture of yellow and black flags previously used. It is sometimes called the “yellow jack“ but this was also a name for Yellow fever, which probably derives its common name from the flag, not the color of the victims (cholera ships also used a yellow flag) • The plain yellow flag (“Quebec” or Q in international maritime signal flags), probably derives its letter symbol for its initial use in quarantine, but this flag in modern times indicates the opposite—a ship that declares itself free of quarantinable disease, and requests boarding and routine port inspection.
IMPORTANCE OF ANIMAL QUARANTINE———-
1. Increase of international travel and trade, rapid transport, emergence/re- emergence of diseases and globalization.
2. Strict Quarantine/sanitary measures .
• Danger of introduction of known and unknown transmissible diseases.
• protects the country f r o m t h e e x o t i c diseases, which have the potential for very s e r i o u s a n d r a p i d spread, serious socio economic and public health consequences. (protects the natural fauna of the country)
To prevent the entry of any Exotic Livestock Diseases into India through importation of livestock & livestock products, the provisions of Livestock Importation Act (ActNo. IX.1898) as amended by the Livestock Importation (Amendment) Act, 2001 (5.7.2001) and the regulations orders and SPS standards of the country issued there under are in operation.
The consignments containing livestock and their products are referred by the customs for Animal Quarantine Clearance in compliance to import Quarantine health rules of the Government of India. The consignments are examined along with the accompanied health certificates and other relevant papers before allowing entry into India.
The applicable notifications are Notification No.S.O.1495 and 1496(E) dated 10.06.2014 (Import procedure for livestock) and Notification No.S.O.2666(E) dated 16.10.2014 (Import procedure for livestock product)
Livestock products are categorized under Open General License (OGL) as per EXIM Policy.
In India the import of livestock products are allowed subject to Sanitary Import Permits(SIPs) as per the provisions of Live-stock Importation Act.,1898.A Sanitary Import Permit is not a licence, but a certificate certifying India’s sanitary requirements of all live-stock products includes:-
• Meat and products of all kinds of including fresh, chilled and frozen meat, tissue or poultry, pig, sheep, goat;
• Egg and egg power;
• Milk and milk products;
• Bovine, ovine and caprine embryos, ova or semen; and
• Pet food products of animal origin;
Imports of animal and animal products are only allowed through designated seaports/airports of Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai where animal quarantine and certification services are available. Imports of fish products are allowed through the seaport of Vishakhapatnam (in the State of Andhra Pradesh), Sea and airport of Kochi and the Land Custom Station at Petra pole(for imports from Bangladesh only)
Animal Quarantine & Certification Services (AQCS) in India—————–
Quarantine Stations in INDIA
1. New Delhi (NR)
2. Mumbai (WR)
3. Kolkatta (ER)
4. Chennai (SR)
5. Bangalore
6. Hyderabad
• The First Quarantine Station at Delhi was established in 1969, followed by Chennai in 1974, Kolkatta in 1975 and Mumbai in 1981. • Regional Officer (NR), Animal Quarantine and Certification Service Station, Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Kapashera (Crossing), New Delhi – 110 001. Gram : ANIQUAR NEW DELHI, Tel. : 011/25063272 Fax.: 011/25060647 •
Discharging duties at Quarantine station ——————
•Quarantine Stations are governed by the Livestock Importation Act, 2001. The procedure followed in the Quarantine Stations for the imported items are as under:
•Before Arrival:————-
On receipt of application for import of live animals, all the sheds and feed stores are thoroughly cleaned, disinfected with suitable disinfectants and also fumigated. •• All animals are transported by a suitable animal carrier as per the standards and requirements for different species of animals. •• The animal carrier is properly disinfected one day prior to the scheduled date of arrival of animals. •• All the arrangements are made for collection of necessary samples
•On Arrival at the Point of Entry:
Collect the necessary samples and arrange for testing in the specified laboratory. •• Carry out hematological/urine/faecal examination as and when required and take appropriate follow up action. •• Examine the animals for infestation of ecto-parasite and take appropriate follow up action including disinfection of the premises. •• The vaccination status is checked and if required, the necessary immunization is carried out at the quarantine station. •• For maintaining proper hygienic conditions during the period of quarantine, the animal sheds are cleaned, disinfected daily and the garbage is disposed as per the laid down procedures. •• In the event of mortality during the quarantine period, the post-mortem is conducted in the quarantine station by an authorized Veterinary Officer with all precaution and laid down procedure. If required, expert services of the specified laboratory/institutions are requisitioned and samples collected for confirmation. •After the post-mortem, the carcass is disposed of by incineration or as per the laid down procedure within the quarantine station premises. •• Release of animals after satisfying quarantine requirements and issue Quarantine Clearance Certificate (Import). •• The Regional/Quarantine Officer is authorized to take appropriate action including requisition of specialist services of State/University / Institutions.
Protocol for On day of arrival——————-
On the day of arrival and time fixed with the importer, the Regional/Quarantine Officer and other staff reach the Airport/Seaport. • The animals or the products are thoroughly examined physically. • The Veterinary Certificate accompanying the animals or products is checked thoroughly to ascertain the specified health requirements. • After ensuring that the animals are clinically healthy and the health certificates accompanying the consignment are in order, a Provisional Quarantine Clearance Certificate (Import) or Veterinary Health Certificate (Import) is issued depending on the case to the importing agency for customs clearance. • The imported live animals are brought to the quarantine station under the supervision of the Regional/Quarantine Officer. • The animals are kept under the quarantine for 30 days or as specified in the health protocol by the Government of India for monitoring the health status of the animals. • In case of livestock products representative samples shall be drawn and tested in the relevant laboratories as per conditions laid down in the sanitary import permit.
Routine During Quarantine —————
Maintain health record of the animal(s). Collect the necessary samples and arrange for testing in the specified laboratory. Carry out hematological/urine/faecal examination as and when required and take appropriate follow up action. Examine the animals for infestation of ecto-parasite and take appropriate follow up action including disinfection of the premises. The vaccination status is checked and if required, the necessary immunization is carried out at the quarantine station. For maintaining proper hygienic conditions during the period of quarantine, the animal sheds are cleaned, disinfected daily and the garbage is disposed as per the laid down procedures. In the event of mortality during the quarantine period, the post-mortem is conducted in the quarantine station by an authorized Veterinary Officer with all precaution and laid down procedure. If required, expert services of the specified laboratory/institutions are requisitioned and samples collected for confirmation. After the post-mortem, the carcass is disposed of by incineration or as per the laid down procedure within the quarantine station premises. Release of animals after satisfying quarantine requirements and issue Quarantine Clearance Certificate (Import). The Regional/Quarantine Officer is authorized to take appropriate action including requisition of specialist services of State/University / Institutions.
Post-Import Quarantine ————–
After import into India, the animal shall be kept in quarantine for minimum period of thirty days at the Government Quarantine Station. • During the quarantine period, the animal shall be subjected to standard culture and serological examination for any disease as deemed necessary by the Government. • In the event of any animal found positive for any exotic disease, the same shall be deported back to the country of origin/ destroyed at the quarantine station at the cost of the importer.
Acts related to animal health and welfare from various Indian States——
Goa, Daman & Diu Diseases of Animals Act 1974 (Goa, Daman and Diu)
Gujarat Diseases of Animals (Control) Act 1963 (Gujarat)
Himachal Pradesh Livestock and Birds Diseases Act 1968 and Himachal Pradesh Livestock and Birds Diseases, Rules 1971 (Himachal Pradesh)
Jammu and Kashmir Animal Disease (Control) Act Svt. 2006 (1949 AD) (Jammu and Kashmir)
Madhya Pradesh Cattle Disease Act 1934 and Madhya Bharat Animal Contagious Diseases Act, 1955 (Madhya Pradesh)
Bombay Diseases of Animal Act, 1948 (Maharashtra)
Orissa Animal Contagious Diseases Act, 1949 (Orissa)
Punjab Livestock and Birds Diseases Act, 1948 and Punjab Contagious Diseases of Animals Rules 1953 (Punjab)
Rajasthan Animal Disease Act, 1959 and Rajasthan Animal Disease Rules 1960 (Rajasthan)
Bengal Diseases of Animals Act, 1944 (West Bengal)
Pradesh Cattle Disease Act 1866; Andhra Pradesh Cattle Disease (Extension and Amendment) Act, 1961; By Laws made under Andhra Pradesh Cattle Disease Act 1866 (Andhra Pradesh)
Karnataka Animal Diseases Control Act 1961: Karnataka Diseases (Control) Rules 1967 (Karnataka)
The Madras Rinder-pest Act, 1940 (Tamilnadu) The Madras Cattle Diseases Act, 1866 (Tamilnadu) Kerala Prevention and Control of Animal Disease Act, 1967 (Kerala) The livestock importation (amendment) act, 2001. Kerala prevention and control of animal diseases (amendment) rules, 2004
Karnataka poultry and livestock feed (regulation of manufacture and sale) order, 1987
The cattle feed and fodder (standard of quality) order, 2001
Assam cattle diseases Act 1948 (applicable to all seven north eastern states)
Laws related to animal welfare and Health in India ———-
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (As amended by Central Act 26 of 1982)
Glanders and Farcy Act, 1899
Dourine Act, 1910 (Act No. V of 1910)
Livestock importation (Amendment) Act, 2001
Poisons Act, 1919 (Act No. XII of 1919)
Dangerous Drug Act, 1930.
Drug & Cosmetic Act, 1940 (Amendments) Act, 1995.
Indian Panel Code. Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984. Bio-diversity Act, 2002
Bio-Terrorism Act, 2008
Milk and Milk Product Order, 1992
Meat And Meat Products Order (MFPO), 1973
Raw Meat (Quality control & Inspection) rules, 1992
Food safety and Standards Act, 2006
Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972
Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in animals Act, 2009
A TRUE STORY OF QUARANTINE—
Eyam was a village in Britain that chose to isolate itself to stop the spread 1665. They were hindered in this by the time’s limited knowledge of the disease: what caused it, what forms infection took, what animal vectors carried it, how it spread. Typhoid Mary was quarantined in New York in the early twentieth century. She was an asymptomatic typhoid carrier and was considered a public health hazard. The astronauts on Apollo 11 were put into quarantine for a couple of weeks in the Lunar Receiving Laboratory to make sure that they didn’t carry any unknown diseases from the moon. The 1972 outbreak of smallpox in Yugoslavia was the final outbreak of smallpox in Europe. The WHO fought the outbreak with extensive quarantine, and the government instituted martial law. In 1942, during World War II, British forces tested out their biological weapons programme on Gruinard Island and infected it with anthrax. The quarantine was lifted in 1990 when the island was declared safe and a flock of sheep were released onto the island. Robert Daniels was quarantined in 2007 for having the deadliest form of tuberculosis in an Arizona hospital, partly for not wearing a mask during his time in the outside world. The UK’s anti-rabies quarantine regulations were a major plot point in “A Diplomatic Incident”, a 1987 episode of Yes, Prime Minister. Andrew Speaker was placed under U.S. federal quarantine in 2007 after flying to Europe while knowing he had tuberculosis, he is the first person since 1963 to be under federal quarantine. On 28 July 1814 the convict ship Surry arrived in Sydney Harbour from England. Over 40 persons had died during the voyage of typhoid including 36 convicts. The ship was placed in quarantine on the North Shore. Convicts were landed and a camp established in the immediate vicinity of what is now Jeffrey Street in Kirribilli. This was the first site in Australia to be used for quarantine purposes.
