ANIMAL QUARANTINE SERVICES

Introduction

This guideline is designed to provide some general information on animal quarantine requirements in Malaysia.  Importers of animals and birds are advised to contact the Veterinary Department for the latest or further information on the importation of animals and birds.

Animal Quarantine Services of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Malaysia provide services for quarantine of live animals and birds for the purposes of import and export. The function and activity is governed by the following rules and regulations under which the DVS is empowered to impose the quarantine of animals and birds :

1. Animal Ordinance, 1953
2. Animal Rules, 1962
3. Animal importation Order, 1 962
4. Federal Animals Quarantine Station (Management and Maintenance) By-Law 1984

The rules and regulations are enforced by the requirement for import & export licenses and health certificates to regulate and facilitate the importation or exportation of live animals and birds into or from Malaysia.

Purpose of quarantine

The primary purpose of quarantine of imported animals is to prevent the introduction and spread of animal diseases by these animals in Malaysia.  This is necessary to safeguard the  animal population in this country.  Of particular importance is the prevention of exotic diseases (disease which is free of) being brought into Malaysia.   Examples: Rabies, Anthrax, Rinderpest, Swine Vesicular Disease, African Horse Sickness, Equine Encephalitis and African Swine Fever.

At present, Malaysia is free from major exotic diseases such as foot & mouth disease (except for the States at Malaysia - Thai border), rinderpest, anthrax, contagious bovine and caprine pleuropneumonia, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, rabies, African swine fever, African horse sickness and equine encephalitis and this free status is largely due to the stringent quarantine policies of the country.

Although all animals imported into this country have to be certified as healthy and free from infectious and contagious diseases by the Veterinary Authority in the exporting country, at the time of export, quarantine measures are still necessary.  This is to ensure that any animal incubating a disease, and therefore not showing any signs of the disease, is examined further during the quarantine period. Some of these diseases are very devastating to the animal population eg. Rinderpest to livestock, while some are of considerable public health significance eg Rabies, Anthrax and Equine Encephalitis.

Legislation

The Department of Veterinary Services is empowered to impose the quarantine of animals or birds as and where necessary, under the Animals Ordinance 1953 and rules and orders arising from it viz.  Animals Rules 1962,  Animals Importation Order 1962 and By-Laws for regulating the management and maintenance of the Animal Quarantine Stations at   Port Kelang, Padang Besar, Kajang and Johore Bahru.

Failure to comply with the Regulations can result in the animal being confiscated and a penalty imposed.

Quarantine Facilities
Quarantine facilities are provided at all major entry points into the country such as KLIA Sepang, Kelang Port, Penang, Padang Besar and Rantau Panjang Quarantine Station.
 

Table I  shows the type of facilities available in various quarantine stations 

Table  II shows the gazetted entry points into the country

QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS

Quarantine requirements and period of confinement in the quarantine stations differ according to the species of animals/birds, purpose of import and from one country to another. Basically, the Animal Ordinance 1953 differentiated the exporting countries into two categories:

1. Schedule Countries including Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Eire, Northern Ireland, Singapore, Brunei, Japan and Sweden.

2. Non-Scheduled Countries are those countries other than the above.

Animals from scheduled countries where disease control programmes are very strict and were free from major animal diseases, do not require quarantine. However, again the requirement for quarantine will be dependent on species of animals and purpose of import.

Animals from scheduled countries where disease control programmes are very strict and were free from major animal diseases, do not require quarantine. However, again the requirement for quarantine will be dependent on species of animals and purpose of import.

QUARANTINE FEES

All animals and birds under quarantine are subjected to the quarantine fees as shown in table IV below :

MATERIALS ACCOMPANYING IMPORTED ANIMAL

All materials (hay, feed, plastic, bone etc) accompanying an animal or bird are not permitted to be landed in Malaysia, unless under special permission by the veterinary authority. If landed, it shall be placed under quarantine too and to be dealt with as deemed necessary by the veterinary authority, eg. disinfection or destruction.

ANIMALS BEFORE QUARANTINE
Owner of such animal or bird should inform the respective quarantine station, either in writing, by telephone or fax at least a month (minimum of 7 days) before the animal/ bird is expected to arrive in this country. It is also advisable to book for the quarantine facilities prior to making transport for the arrangement in order to ensure the availability of quarantine space. This can be done while applying for an import license.

ANIMALS DURING QUARANTINE
Owner of such animal or bird may visit their animal/bird during quarantine provided they abide to rules and regulations of the quarantine station. This is important to prevent spread of infectious organism to or from the animal in quarantine.

The animal or bird in quarantine may be subjected to such measures as vaccination, blood test or other clinical tests as deemed necessary by the veterinary authority or the quarantine officer in charge. The veterinary authority may order an immediate destruction of any animal or bird found or reasonably believed to be infected with disease or suspected to have been in contact with a diseased animal or bird.

No animal/bird shall be released from the quarantine station except upon certification by the veterinary authority or the quarantine officer in charge that the animal/bird is free from disease.

ANIMALS AFTER QUARANTINE
Owner of such animal or bird should continue to observe the health of the animal/ bird after quarantine and should report to the veterinary authority or the nearest veterinary office if any infectious disease or any abnormal condition is noticed.

All animals or birds intended for slaughter must be sent direct to the designated slaughter houses after being released from the quarantine station.

NOTE:
Before any animal or bird can be imported into Malaysia, permission must first be obtained from the Department of Veterinary Services.  The veterinary authority has the right to refuse the importation of any animal or bird.  All Importation will also be subjected to the requirement as laid down in the Animal Importation Order 1962 and any other requirements a deem necessary by the Director General of Veterinary Services.

ENQUIRIES
Further information on animal quarantine requirements and services can be obtained from State Veterinary Offices or the Quarantine Stations.