Animal and animal products
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/VCT/1
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 23/04/2015
Outline of Systems
Q1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, reply to the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence together, and using cross references as appropriate when elements which have already been described are also present in another system.
To control the movement of animals, animal products (including meat, meat products, eggs, etc.) and animal related materials (including veterinary biological, litter, fodder, refuse, equipment, containers and utensils) into and from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to prevent the introduction and spread of animal diseases within the State and other Member states of the Caribbean Community, and to ensure the safe and humane movement of animals from the State and other related and connected issues.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
Permits are required for the following:
- Domesticated livestock (including but not exclusive to horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry).
- Wildlife (including but not exclusive to monkeys, birds and other exotics).
- Pets (including but not exclusive to dogs, cats, and any of the above-mentioned species kept as pets).
- Animal products (including but not exclusive to meat, eggs, meat products).
- Veterinary biological products (including but not exclusive to vaccines, semen, embryos, tissues, blood, specimens and samples).
- Animal related materials (including but not exclusive to litter, fodder, refuse, equipment, containers and utensils).
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
This system applies to animals and animal related items originating in and coming from all countries regardless of species, product or disease status of the country of origin.
Q4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, what are its purposes? Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which? Why have they not been adopted?
This system is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports but to protect the animal and human population of the country.
Q5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is maintained. Is the licensing statutorily required? Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion? Is it possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval?
This system is governed by the Animals (National and International Movement and Disease Prevention) Act. Act Number 7 of 1994.
Procedures
Q6. For products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally):
Q6.I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and formalities of filing applications for licences? If not, how is it brought to the attention of possible importers? Of governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries and their trade representatives? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?
Q6.II. How is the size of the quotas determined: on a yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
Q6.III. Are licences allotted for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are the names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate.)
Q6.IV. From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Q6.VII. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Q6.VIII. If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and, if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
Q6.IX. In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?
Q6.X. In cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?
Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
Q7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular country:
Q7.a. How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made? Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)?
The regulation does not indicate a specified amount of time in advance required for the application for an import permit. According to the regulations, any person who imports an animal or animal related item into the state without an import permit commits an offence and the animal or animal related item may be seized, forfeited for retention, destruction or disposal.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
A permit cannot be granted immediately upon request as the application must be reviewed, processed and approved.
Q7.c. Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made? If so, explain.
There are no limitations to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made.
Q7.d. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
The licensing process is affected by the Ministry of Trade and the Animal Health and Production Division (AHPD) in the Ministry of Agriculture. The Ministry of Trade regulates licensing (provides the application form, collects fees, etc.) while the AHPD provides the permit, which indicates the conditions under which the animals or animal related items may be imported.
Q8. Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria? Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant? Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
An application may be refused if the animal or animal related product does not comply with the
conditions outlined in the Act and its regulations or it is known that they will not be able to comply
with the conditions.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Once a permit is refused, the importer is notified and the reasons for refusal are provided.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
There is no provision for appeal in the Act or its regulations.
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence
Q9. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licences: (If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation? What persons or firms are eligible? Is there a registration fee? Is there a published list of authorized importers?) a) under restrictive licensing systems? b) under non-restrictive systems?
All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for licences. There are no restrictions.
Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for Licence
Q10. What information is required in applications? Submit a sample form. What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
The information required can be found in the attached application form for live animals (except day old chicks). The following information must be provided for animals:
- Name and address of Importer; - Name and address of Exporter; - Number of animals; - Species; - Breed; - Sex; - Colour.
The following information must be provided for animal related items and day old chicks and can be found in the attached application for import licence: - Name and address of Importer; - Name and address of Supplier; - Name/Description of items; - Quantity of items; - Value of items; - Country of Origin.
Additional information required for different specific items:
- Veterinary Biologicals; - Name of Product; - Official Batch Number assigned in country of manufacture (if any); - Official Mark assigned in country of manufacture (if any); - Name and address of manufacturer; - Name and address of shipper.
Additional information required for semen for artificial insemination of animals:
- Details of animal from which semen was collected and premises where animal is kept; - Name and address of collection agency in country of origin; - Official Batch Number assigned in country of origin (if any).
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
The importer must furnish the original import permit accompanied by an original health certificate issued by the official veterinary authority from the exporting country or country of origin (as applicable). Further documentation to be provided for animal related items include the invoice, bill of lading and a copy of the Customs entry for verification.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Yes, there is a fee
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
There is a five dollar ($5) licensing fee paid through the purchase of a revenue stamp.
Q13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences? If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement.
There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issuing of licences.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
A licence and permit are valid for a period of three (3) months. A permit may be revoked if any of the conditions or terms have not been or can no longer be complied with.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for the non-utilisation of a licence or portion of a licence.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licences are not transferable between importers.
Q17. Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence? a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction?
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the information provided is correct and comply with the conditions outlined in the permit.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
Importers are required to inform the Veterinary Authority, at least 24 hours, before the arrival of the shipment.