Illegal importation of animals on rise; authority threatens charges

Nov 22, 2016 News

The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) is threatening tough action against persons who illegally import animals.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, yesterday, it is getting ready to lay charges against persons who are illegally importing animals into Guyana, without an accompanying import permit.
“Recently, the authority has been observing an increase in the illegal importation of animals resulting in confiscation at the port of entry. However, this has not stopped persons from attempting to smuggle the animals, as cases of illegal importation have increased over the last two months.”
The ministry said that the GLDA Act, Section 17, makes provision for charges to be laid against defaulters.
“In an event that a person fails to comply or commits an offence on summary conviction, the importer is liable to a fine of $100,000. In the case of a continuing offense, the defaulter will be fined an additional $50,000 and imprisonment for three months.”
Dr. Dwight Waldron, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, pointed to the fact that there are rules and regulations which govern the importation of animals.
“It is a worrying situation for the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) as we have noticed an increase in cases of illegal importation of animals, specifically dogs,” the Deputy Chief Executive Officer stated.
The authority said that the campaign to halt the incidences will be rolled out shortly.
“Defaulters are therefore being put on notice. Animals found to be imported illegally into Guyana will not only be euthanized, but charges will be laid against defaulters,” the ministry warned.
“It is important for persons to comply with our rules. Rules are not implemented to make things difficult. Oftentimes these animals are imported without their rabies shots- which place not only our animals but human beings at risk,” the DCEO said.
The authority will also be meeting with airline operators to ensure that animals are not accepted onto flights without supporting documents.
“The move is in keeping with the authority’s mandate to regulate the import and export of animals and to promote greater efficiency in the livestock sector.”
Earlier this month, on November 4, last, Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, tabled the Food Safety and Animal Welfare Bills in the National Assembly.
The campaign will see officials from the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) increasing their presence at the Ports of Entry to further strengthen its surveillance system. “Regular inspections at hatcheries and processing facilities will also be conducted to ensure compliance with national and international Animal Health standards and guidelines. The nexus between animal health and public health, in its diverse eco-systems, is fully expressed in the concept of ‘One Health’ which emphasizes the need for good governance among all sectors and actors involved, by preventing and mitigating the risks generated at the interface between people, animals and the environment,” the ministry explained.
The applications for import permits are as follows:
Cats & Dogs G$20,000 per animal
Horse G$40,000 per animal
Cattle G$20,000 per permit application
Sheep G$10,000 per permit application
Goat G$10,000 per permit application
Pigs G$10,000 per permit application
Poultry & Hatching Eggs G$10,000 per permit application
Birds G$10,000 per permit application
Aquarium Fish G$ 3,500 per permit application
Other Animals G$10,000 per permit application.

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