भारत सरकार
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
मत्स्यपालन, पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्रालय
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & DAIRYING
पशुपालन और डेयरी विभाग
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

पशु संगरोध एवं प्रमाणीकरण सेवा
ANIMAL QUARANTINE & CERTIFICATION SERVICES

swachh bharat image
राष्ट्र सबसे पहले
NATION FIRST ALWAYS

logo about-us

भारत सरकार

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

पशु संगरोध एवं प्रमाणीकरण सेवा

Animal Quarantine & Certification Services

(AQCS)

मत्स्यपालन, पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्रालय
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying

पशुपालन और डेयरी विभाग
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying



ANIMAL QUARANTINE AND CERTIFICATION SERVICES (AQCS)

                   The purpose and scope of setting up of QUARANTINE Stations is to prevent the ingress of dangerous exotic diseases into the country through imported livestock and livestock products. The increased and faster international trade and travel exposed every country to the danger of infiltration of known and unknown transmissible diseases which have the potential of very serious and rapid spread, adverse socio-economic and human/animal health consequences. The Quarantine Services are necessary to keep the country free from many exotic diseases and AQCS plays an important part to maintain the country disease freedom.

                   There are many infectious diseases of livestock which are prevalent in other countries but luckily not present in India. It is therefore necessary that such exotic diseases do not gain entry into our country through movement of livestock and livestock product from across the borders. The entire procedure of keeping a watch on livestock disease is the responsibility of the Office of International Epizooties (O.I.E.) through its International Zoo Sanitary Code. For this purpose this organization has classified the prevalent disease into three broad spectra according to the severity and ease of transmission. These broad spectrum diseases are classified as List A, List B and List C diseases. Zoonosis is also the important component of AQCS wherein the human health is ensured by strict implementation of AQCS regulations.

                   The speedy travel by air has reduced the travel time which used to be an effective barrier when the transport was done by sea. Even sea travel has become quicker now-a-days and so gone all the days when the travel used to be for many days which generally exceeded the incubation period of many acute diseases thus exposing the presence of an infection in the livestock during such travel. Hence, an efficient Animal Quarantine Organization is necessary for conducting checks at the International Airports/Seaports and land routes. Because livestock may covertly carry pathogens without showing overt signs of clinical disease, they must be held in quarantine for observation and testing to establish their pathogen free status before release. Similarly, livestock products are also need to be checked technically before entering into the country. Moreover, in present circumstances AQCS can play major role in preventing illegal trade by using transplant and surgical procedures in animals. Bio terrorism is an area where AQCS can be of great help and support for other security agencies.

                   Keeping this in view, Government of India initiated a central sector scheme namely “Animal Quarantine & Certification Services” (AQCS) during the Fourth Five Year Plan (1969-70) under which four Animal Quarantine stations were set up at Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata & Mumbai and now also in Hyderabad and Bangalore.

                   This programme also envisage provision of an Internationally acceptable certification service for the livestock & livestock product exported to other countries from India confirming to the health requirements of the importing country or the health regulations prescribed in the International Zoo Sanitary code.


HISTORY

QUARANTINE - Derived from the Greek word “Quaranth” which means period of 40 days. 1374 - First quarantine in Venice. 1890 - USA- first international livestock quarantine-at port of entry for 90 days.

DEFINITION OF QUARANTINE

It is the restraint placed upon the movements of persons, animals, plants or goods which are suspected of being carriers or vehicles of infections or of having been exposed to infection. It is the method intended to prevent the spread of diseases. Quarantine is detention and segregation for observation and testing for prescribed period of livestock and livestock products imported or meant for Export.

INDIA

The Government of India initiated the “Animal Quarantine and Certification Services” Scheme during the fourth Five Year Plan, 1969-70.

Vision, Mission, objectives and Functions

Vision

Mission

Objectives

Functions

OTHER IMPORTANCE:

  1. International Health Regulations (IHR).
  2. Zoonosis – ensuring human and animal health all times (75% -80 % human infectious diseases have animal origin).
  3. Illegal trade involving animal parts.
  4. Illegal trade of drugs and other prohibited and valuable items (surgery and transplantation in animals).
  5. Bio Terrorism (80% of pathogens that could potentially be used for bioterrorism are of animal origin)

Quarantine Stations in INDIA

  1. New Delhi (NR)
  2. Mumbai (WR)
  3. Kolkata (ER)
  4. Chennai (SR)
  5. Hyderabad
  6. Bangalore

ZONES IN QUARANTINE STATIONS

  1. ADMINISTRATIVE ZONE
  2. Office block, Duty house, Generator room, Power/Pump room, Security room, Vehicle sheds, CPWD room.

  3. QUARANTINE ZONE (Entry restricted)-Buffer zone on the boundaries
  4. Animal Sheds (horse, cattle, dog, sheep, lab animal), Incinerator, Laboratory, Paddocks, Change rooms, PM room.

  5. Residential Zone
  6. Staff Quarters.


Total approximate area of the quarantine station: 9 acres.

LABORATORIES ASSISTING AQCS



ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF ANIMAL QUARANTINE

IMPORT:

EXPORT:

CATEGORIES OF Livestock (LS) / Livestock products (LSP) for IMPORT PURPOSE:

DEFINITION OF LIVESTOCK (LS)

Includes all species of Equine, bovine, canine, ovine, porcine, caprine, rodents, laboratory animals, poultry and other wild, domestic animals and birds.
This also includes aquatic animals and any other animal, which may be specified by the Central government by notification in the Official Gazette.

DEFINITION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS (LSP)

(Animal origin including marine/aquatic animals)

: Meat and meat products of all kinds ,tissue or organs of poultry, pig, sheep, goat
: Egg and egg powder
: Milk and milk products
: Embryos, ova or semen
: Pet food products of animal origin
: Products of aquatic animals
: Feather, wool, hide, bristles etc.
: Animal Feed and Feed Supplement/Additive
: Any other animal product, which may be specified by the Central Government by notification in the official Gazette.


ACT & NOTIFICATIONS

1898-‘Livestock Importation Act’ was framed.

AMENDMENTS

  1. ‘Livestock Importation (Amendment) Act’, 1953
  2. THE LIVESTOCK IMPORTATION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2001

    Called as-                     ‘Livestock & Livestock Products Importation (Amendment) Act’, 2001.
                                           Insertion of words “and livestock products” after the word “Livestock”
                                           Into force-5thday of July 2001

Some of the Major Notifications are as under:

  1. 17.8. 2001, S.O.802 (E)           -    Regulation on TSE group of diseases.
  2. 16.10. 2001, S.O.1043 (E)      -    Inclusion of aquatic animals & products under livestock products
  3. 5.9.2007, S.O.1496 (E)          -    Regulation for import of Bovine semen.
  4. 2.5.2008, S.O.1086 (E)          -    Regulation for import of Pet food.
  5. 24.7.2009, S.O. 1825 (E)      -    Regulation for import of Raw hides.
  6. 5.10.2012, G.S.R. 752 (E)      -    Regulation for import of Equines.
  7. 10.6.2014, S.O. 1496 (E)      -    Livestock Import Procedure.
  8. 16.10.2014, S.O.2666 (E)      -    Livestock product Import Procedure.

     AQCS related notifications & regulations can be seen at: www.dahd.nic.in (Trade)

Import of Pets under Baggage:

Common Facilities Available in Animal Quarantine Stations:

Quarantine Station follow the following protocol for the entry of visitors for genuine reasons:

ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES AT AQCS STATIONS (except Hyderabad and Bangalore)

Sl.No. Species (in Nos.) AQCS, New Delhi AQCS, Chennai AQCS, Mumbai AQCS, Kolkata
1 Cattle 48 48 14 38
2 Sheep & Goat 300 270 48 100
3 Dogs/Cats 10 10 16 3
4 Horses 20 20 20 -
5 Poultry/Birds 250 100 320 -
6 Pigs 100 60 48 100
7 Laboratory Animals 500 400 - -
8 Misc. animals (Elephants, Camels etc.) One shed with open space - - -

Specific Performance Requirements from other Departments/Agency

  1. Customs authority: The imported consignment of livestock and livestock product are referred by custom authorities for Animal Quarantine & Certification Service (AQCS) clearances. Similarly, Custom also checks the Animal Quarantine Certificate for export purpose.

  2. Wild life authority: AQCS also have liaison with wildlife authorities in respect of livestock and livestock products coming under CITES category.

  3. Airlines:AQCS also have good liaison with the airlines and inform them regarding AQCS rules and regulation and procedures to be followed by the passengers importing livestock and livestock products.

  4. CAPEXIL:AQCS along with CAPEXIL inspect and register the plants/mills as per the norms of the Government meant for processing the livestock products.

  5. DGFT:The license issued by the DGFT for restricted products are also checked by AQCS at the time of import.

  6. Port Health Officer:AQCS work in liaison with PHO in respect of the livestock products having public health significance.

  7. Central Laboratories:The samples of imported livestock and livestock products are sent to the designated laboratories for prescribed testing. The procedure is also adopted for export purpose.

  8. Airport Authority:AQCS also have good liaison with the airport authority and educate them regarding health risk and hazards during clearance and storage of livestock and livestock products.

  9. Seaport Authority:AQCS also have good liaison with the seaport authority and educate them regarding health risk and hazards during clearance and storage of livestock and livestock products.

  10. Inland Container Depot:AQCS also have good liaison with ICD authority and educate them regarding health risk and hazards during clearance and storage of livestock and livestock products.



STRICT IMPLEMANTATION OF AQCS RULES AND REGULATIONS IS THE DEMAND OF THE TIME:

Provisions required at Point of entries:


  1. Arrivals: (Airport, Seaport , Rail and Land routes)

  2. a. Sinages at various places for information and education for willful declaration of the imported livestock and livestock products by the passengers.
    b.  Announcement by airlines regarding willful declaration of the imported livestock and livestock products by the passengers.
    c.  Provisions of designated x-ray machines.
    d.  Provisions of sniffer dogs.
    e.  Provision of laboratories with technicians and early detection kits.
    f.  Proper checks of arrival cards.
    g.  Proper support to AQCS officials by Customs, Port agencies and other stake holders.
    h.  Provisions of AQCS desk and office space at arrivals.
    i.  Preventive and checking powers to AQCS officials are immediately required.

  3. Cargo and ICDs:

  4. a. Sinages at various places for information and education of all stake holders.
    b. Provision of laboratories with technicians and early detection kits.
    c.  Proper checks of declarations.
    d.  Proper support to AQCS officials by Customs, Port agencies and other stake holders.
    e.  Provisions of AQCS desk and office space at arrivals.
    f.  Preventive and checking powers to AQCS officials are immediately required.


Problem Area in implementation of regulations related to AQCS:

   Livestock:

  1. Lifting of livestock including pet dog and cats by airlines without verifying/checking the advance AQCS NOC/permission (violation of the Notifications)

  2. Lifting of livestock including pet dog and cats by airlines on FAKE advance AQCS NOC/permission.

  3. Non referring of the livestock by Customs for AQCS clearance after arrival in case arrived without advance AQCS NOC.

  4. Rare cross checking by Customs of advance AQCS NOCs produced by the passenger on arrival with AQCS.

   Livestock products:

  1. Non declaration of livestock products in arrival cards.

  2. Improper declaration of livestock products in Bill of entries by changing names and HS codes.

  3. Non referring of consignments of livestock products by Customs for AQCS clearances.

  4. No proper checking of arrival cards by the Customs.

  5. Provisions of x-ray machines, sniffer dogs and rapid disease detection laboratories are lacking.


Other requirements related to strict AQCS operations:

  1. More testing facilities at RDDLs (5 regional) and NIHSAD (Bhopal)

  2. Insertion of AQCS Clearance requirement in ITC (HS) Import Policy and Chapters.

  3. Livestock products (meat and milk) products served on board on international flights coming from other countries need to be checked by AQCS.
    (At least six monthly technical audit regarding sourcing, processing, handling, transportation and disposal. Necessary, as threat level is same as compared to products imported commercially by normal importer).

  4. TEMPORARY SHEDS: multi-purpose for holding animal’s for1-2 days.

  5. BINS: Separate at the terminal-no mixing with other waste and technical disposal.

  6. INCINERATOR: less capacity-for small quantity animal products/loose products and for dead aquatic animals (fish).




******************



IMPROPER /NON-IMPLEMANTATION OF ANIMAL QUARANTINE REGULATIONS

Requirement of huge money, man power, logistics and time in disease eradication operation
(Which is not sure always)
WE ALL, TOGETHER WILL PROTECT OUR ANIMALS AND ANIMAL RESOURCES
(By strict implementation of Animal Quarantine regulations)




******************