Requirement of COVID-19 testing in live animals before importing into India - Customs - Instruction No. 15/2021

Instruction No. 15/2021-Customs F. No. 401/36/2021-Cus.III Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue (Central Board of Indirect Taxes Customs) North Block, New Delhi. 30th June, 2021 To All Principal Chief Commissioner/Chief Commissioner of Customs/Custom (Preventive), All Principal Chief Commissioner/Chief Commissioner of Central Tax and Customs, All Principal Commissioner/Commissioner of Customs /Custom (Preventive), All Principal Commissioner/Commissioner of Central Tax and Customs. Subject:- Requirement of COVID-19 testing in live animals before importing into India-reg Madam/Sir, Reference is invited to O.M. F.No. L-110110/5/2021-Trade-Part(1)(E-19215) dated 21.06.2021 issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying on the abovementioned subject (copy enclosed). 2. It is stated that in order to rule out the spreading of COVID-19 infection through imported animals, the Cats (domestic- Felis catus), other members of the family; Felidae i.e. tigers (Panthera tigris), lions (Panthera leo), snow leopards (Panthera uncial), pumas (Puma spp.) etc. and Gorillas (Gorilla spp.) have to be tested for COVID-19 infection by the travelers/exporters in the exporting country while importing into India, till COVID-19 situation prevails. 3. In this regard, the concerned Regional officers/Quarantine officers, Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) will issue advance NOC/Final AQCS clearance for import of aforesaid animals into India after receiving negative COVID-19 test report (no more than 3 days old before export into India) in addition to other existing requirements in this regard. 4. It is requested that necessary action may be taken to sensitise officers under your jurisdiction regarding the above-mentioned requirements for import of live animals. 5. The difficulties, if any, may be brought to the notice of the Board. Hindi version follows. Yours faithfully, (Kevin Boban) Under Secretary (Customs-III) Encl: as above File No. : L-110110/5/2021-Trade-Part (1) (E-19215) Government of India Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi-110 001, Dated the 21st June, 2021. OFFICE MEMORANDUM Subject : Requirement of COVID-19 testing in live animals before importing into India - regarding. The undersigned is directed to refer the above cited subject and to say that as per advisory dated 30 April, 2021 by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in view of the spread of COVID-19 in the country and reports of death of lions due to COVID-19, there are possibilities of spread of the virus amongst animals in National Parks/Sanctuaries and other protected areas and also transmission of the virus from humans to animals and vice versa. 2. Further, as per World Animal Health Organization (OIE) Technical Fact Sheet, the Cats (domestic), Large cats (tigers, lions, snow leopards and pumas) and Gorillas are having high susceptibility of infection against natural COVID-19 infection. 3. In view of above and to rule out the spreading of COVID-19 infection through imported animals, the Cats (domestic - Felis catus), other members of the Family : Felidae i.e. tigers (Panthera tigris), lions (Panthera leo), snow leopards (Panthera uncial), pumas (Puma spp.) etc. and Gorillas (Gorilla spp.) have to be tested for COVID-19 infection by the travellers/exporters in the exporting country while importing into India, till such situation prevails. 4. The concerned Regional Officers/Quarantine Officers, Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) will issue advance No Objection Certificate/Final AQCS clearance for import of aforesaid animals into India after receiving negative COVID-19 test report (no more than 3 days old before export into India) in addition to other existing requirements in this regard. 5. This has the approval of the Hon ble Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Sd/- (Dr. Gagan Garg) Assistant Commissioner (Trade) Email : [email protected]