Japan proposes amendment of the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in order to strengthen legal authority of animal quarantine officers and heighten the penalty for violation against the provisions of import and export quarantine, the MAFF amended the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control as follows;

1. Authorize animal quarantine officers to conduct interviews to passengers of embarkation/disembarkation and to inspect their baggage for animal products and other items.
2. Authorize animal quarantine officers to dispose of illegal animal products and other items upon finding during the inspection.
3. Raise the fines for violation against the provisions of import and export quarantine such as bringing illegal animal products in Japan: in case of an individual, from "up to 1,000,000 yen to up to 3,000,000 yen," and in case of a corporate body, from "up to 1,000,000 yen to up to 50,000,000 yen".
4. Establish new fines of ‘up to 300,000 yen' for violation with respect to 1 and 2 above.

Products covered: Animal products and other items

HS Code: 0511

Proposed date of adoption: 27 March 2020

Proposed date of entry into force:  Date specified by cabinet not exceeding 3 months

Last date for comments:  NA

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