by SaInvertebrates » Tue Sep 09, 2014 3:43 pm
According to basic import laws, the Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, prescribe that no goods of a specified class or kind, or no goods other than goods of a specified class or kind may be (a) imported into the Republic; or (b) imported into the Republic, except under the authority of, and in accordance with the conditions stated in a permit issued by the Commission. (The Commission has the final say in what can be imported or not and have the authority to approve import permits with reason.)
In terms of the Animal Diseases Act (Act No. 35 of 1984), and the Meat Safety Act (Act No. 40 of 2000), all South African citizens may import animals and/or animal-derived products, which are considered to be safe, into South Africa. Importation is subject to compliance with the relevant import requirements, as stipulated on the veterinary import permit.
Each consignment of animal and/or animal products for importation into South Africa must be accompanied by:
- An original veterinary import permit, issued by the National Directorate Veterinary Services
- An original health certificate, duly completed in English and in accordance with the requirements of the import permit, and signed by the competent veterinary authority of the exporting country.
As for what "bushviper" stated earlier, In cases where quarantine is needed (As is the case with amphibians) the State Vet is contacted upon the arrival of the shipment in order to clear the shipment. It cannot be released without the permission of the state vet once all permits and health certificates etc... are fully checked. This process goes through Agriculture, the department of Health and Safety as well as Nature Conservation.
As for the transportation of animals country wide, they have to be accompanied by health certificates and transport permits.
The tricky part comes in where you need to gain permission from the commission in order to get them to "legalize" amphibians. This is often the case with Government tenders (e.g. Importing for Zoo's etc...) This can be done by the public but is a very lengthy process.
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