Ensuring Animal Health: An Overview of Animal Quarantine in India

Every year, millions of animals and animal products cross international borders, carrying the potential to introduce devastating diseases that could decimate livestock populations and threaten public health. India, with its vast agricultural sector and over 500 million livestock, has developed a robust animal quarantine system to protect against such threats. At the heart of this system lies the Livestock Importation Act of 1898, one of the oldest yet still relevant pieces of legislation governing animal health in the country.

The foundation: Livestock Importation Act of 1898
State government powers under the Act
Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS)
Key functions of AQCS
Quarantine station locations
The import process: step-by-step
Pre-import requirements
Arrival inspection
Post-arrival quarantine
Special considerations for pet imports
Import restrictions and bans
Why animal quarantine matters

The foundation: Livestock Importation Act of 1898

The Livestock Importation Act of 1898 provides the legal framework for regulating the import of livestock and livestock products into India. Originally enacted during the colonial period after infected horses from Australia threatened to spread tick disease to Indian cattle, this legislation has evolved significantly over the years. The Central Government is empowered under Section 3 of this Act to regulate, restrict, or prohibit the import of live animals, while Section 3A (added through the 2001 amendment) extends these powers to livestock products.

The Act defines key terms that guide its implementation. Under Section 2, infectious or contagious disorders include tick-pest, anthrax, glanders, farcy, and scabies, among other diseases that may be specified by government notification. Similarly, livestock includes horses, cattle, camels, sheep, mules, asses, buffaloes, goats, swine, dogs, cats, poultry, and various bird species.

State government powers under the Act

While the Central Government sets overall import policies, State Governments have the authority to create implementing rules. Under Section 4, states can make rules for the detention, inspection, disinfection, or destruction of imported livestock and related materials like fodder, stable-litter, or harness fittings. Violations can attract penalties up to one thousand rupees.

Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS)

The Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS) was established during the Fourth Five-Year Plan (1969-70) as a central sector scheme. Operating under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying within the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, AQCS serves as the primary implementing agency for India’s animal quarantine measures.

Key functions of AQCS

The AQCS performs several critical functions to safeguard India’s animal and human health:

Disease prevention: The primary mandate is preventing the entry of exotic livestock diseases into India through imports. Officers conduct thorough risk analysis before any consignment enters the country.

Import regulation: AQCS implements policies on regulation, restriction, and prohibition of livestock, livestock products, and microorganisms based on disease status of exporting countries.

Export certification: The service provides internationally acceptable certification for livestock and livestock products exported from India, confirming compliance with health requirements of importing countries and the International Zoo Sanitary Code established by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

Inspection and registration: AQCS inspects and registers plants and mills exporting animal by-products to ensure they meet international standards.

Quarantine station locations

Imports of animals and animal products are only allowed through designated seaports and airports where quarantine facilities exist. These include Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai. For fish products specifically, imports are permitted through Vishakhapatnam and Kochi, while fish products from Bangladesh can enter via the Petrapole Land Customs Station.

Recently, a new AQCS facility was inaugurated at Cochin International Airport to facilitate pet imports and enhance the “Ease of Living” for pet owners. This facility includes a 24-hour air-conditioned pet station, a dedicated cargo section, and a veterinary doctor on call.

The import process: step-by-step

Importing livestock or livestock products into India follows a systematic multi-stage process designed to minimize disease risk while facilitating legitimate trade.

Pre-import requirements

Import license: Live animals fall under the restricted category per EXIM Policy, requiring importers to first obtain a license from the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The DGFT issues this license based on recommendations from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying after conducting risk analysis.

Sanitary Import Permit (SIP): A Sanitary Import Permit is a certificate certifying India’s sanitary requirements for livestock products. It is not a license but communicates the hygienic conditions that must be verified by the authorized veterinarian of the exporting country. SIPs must be obtained before shipping from the country of origin.

The SIP validity varies depending on the product type, ranging from three months to one year. Multiple consignments are permitted within the quantity and validity restrictions. The application fee is Rs. 300 per permit.

Pre-shipment certification: The exporting country’s veterinary authorities must provide certification that animals or products meet India’s specified health requirements. Animals must be tested for exotic diseases in the exporting country, with test results accompanying the shipment.

Arrival inspection

Upon arrival at a designated Indian port, consignments are referred by customs for Animal Quarantine Clearance. The inspection process includes:

Document verification: Quarantine officers check all required documents including the SIP or DGFT license, health certificates from the country of origin, airway bills, cargo details, invoices, and laboratory reports where applicable.

Physical examination: Animals are examined for clinical signs of disease, while animal products are inspected for contamination or spoilage.

Sample collection: Biological samples may be collected for laboratory testing to detect pathogens not apparent through visual examination.

Post-arrival quarantine

If inspections reveal any concerns, or as a standard protocol for certain imports, animals may be held in quarantine. The AQCS prescribes animal quarantine of at least 14 days under government supervision. Alternatively, 30 days of home quarantine may be permitted depending on the health condition of the animal.

If a consignment fails to meet health protocols, authorities can order its destruction or return to the country of origin. All decisions prioritize national interest and protection of India’s livestock population.

Special considerations for pet imports

Domestic pets like dogs and cats are permitted to be imported, with up to two pets per passenger allowed against a health certificate from the country of origin. Imports exceeding this quantity require an Import Sanitary Permit from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying or an import license from DGFT.

Pet owners must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from AQCS, which requires scheduling an appointment at least one week in advance. Dogs must be certified free from diseases including Aujeszky’s Disease, distemper, rabies, leishmaniasis, and leptospirosis, while cats must be free from rabies and distemper. All imported pets must be microchipped with ISO11784/11785 compliant 15-digit chips.

Import restrictions and bans

The Central Government periodically issues prohibitions on imports from countries experiencing disease outbreaks. Notable bans include the prohibition on importing equine species (horses, asses, and mules) from Afghanistan and Pakistan, and restrictions on birds and bird products from countries reporting Avian Influenza.

These bans are implemented through notifications under the Livestock Importation Act and operate as if issued under the Customs Act of 1962, giving customs officers enforcement powers at every port, airport, Inland Container Depot, and Land Customs Station.

Why animal quarantine matters

Quarantine services are essential for keeping India free from many exotic diseases. The economic implications of a disease outbreak can be catastrophic-affecting not only the livestock sector but also livelihoods of millions of farmers, food security, and international trade relationships.

The system also protects human health, as many animal diseases (zoonoses) can transfer to humans. By screening animals and animal products at entry points, India maintains a crucial barrier against potential pandemics originating from livestock imports.

What do you think? As international trade continues to grow and new disease threats emerge (like Avian Influenza or African Swine Fever), how should India balance the need for stricter quarantine measures against the demands of facilitating faster trade? What role should technology play in modernizing these century-old protective systems?

References

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Table of Contents

The foundation: Livestock Importation Act of 1898 🔗

State government powers under the Act 🔗

Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS) 🔗

Key functions of AQCS 🔗

Quarantine station locations 🔗

The import process: step-by-step 🔗

Pre-import requirements 🔗

Arrival inspection 🔗

Post-arrival quarantine 🔗

Special considerations for pet imports 🔗

Import restrictions and bans 🔗

Why animal quarantine matters 🔗