Singapore legislation

Section 8

of Animals and Birds Act 1965

Section 8

No person to import or tranship any animal, bird or veterinary biologics without licence

Amended by10/201910/201910/2019

(1)

Except as provided in any order made under section 7(1), a person must not import or tranship any animal, bird or veterinary biologics, except in accordance with a licence issued in that behalf by the Director‑General and in accordance with the conditions (if any) of that licence and such other conditions as may be prescribed.

(2)

A licence to import or tranship any animal, bird or veterinary biologics under this Act may be obtained on an application made in the prescribed form to the Director‑General and upon the payment of such fees as may be prescribed.

(2A)

In deciding whether to grant a licence for the import of any animal or bird intended for human consumption or production of primary produce, the Director‑General may make inquiries and investigations that are reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances so as to be satisfied as to the experience and resources of the applicant in providing a secure and reliable supply in Singapore of the animals or birds of acceptable quality for human consumption or production of primary produce, as the case may be.

Amended by10/2019

(2B)

Without limiting subsection (2A), the inquiries and investigations may include whether an applicant for a licence for the import of any animal or bird intended for human consumption or production of primary produce has a procurement plan stating —

(a)

the risks (including assessments of such risks) of any disruption occurring to the import of the animal or bird from the markets from which the animal or bird is to be procured; and

(b)

any plan of action (including preventive strategies) for the purpose of —

(i)

ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the applicant can still provide a secure and reliable supply in Singapore of the animal or bird of acceptable quality; or

(ii)

otherwise reducing or mitigating the effect of any disruption to the supply of the animal or bird from any such market from which the animal or bird is to be procured.

Amended by10/2019

(2C)

The Director‑General may grant a licence subject to such conditions as the Director‑General thinks fit, including but not limited to the conditions necessary or related to ensuring a secure and reliable supply in Singapore of any animals or birds intended for human consumption or production of primary produce, as the case may be.

Amended by10/2019

(3)

Any person importing or transhipping an animal, bird or veterinary biologics in contravention of subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.