New Regulations for Private Veterinary Quarantine Facilities in Bahrain
TDT | Manama
Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com
The Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture, Wael Mubarak, has issued a new decree regulating private veterinary quarantine facilities in Bahrain. The decree prohibits the establishment of such facilities without a proper license, ensuring compliance with environmental and health standards. Violators of these regulations could face severe penalties, including the cancellation of their operating licenses.
According to the decree, private veterinary quarantine facilities may only be established with prior approval from the relevant administrative authority. These facilities will be subject to oversight and must adhere to all quarantine procedures outlined in Law No. 8 of 2003, which governs veterinary quarantine systems in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, along with its executive regulations.
The decree specifies several conditions for the establishment of private veterinary quarantine facilities. Primarily, these facilities must be located as close as possible to approved entry points into the Kingdom while being situated away from residential areas. They must also be surrounded by a secure fence and designed for easy access for animals and equipment. Furthermore, they should be at least 100 meters away from any livestock enclosures, including sheep, cattle, camels, and poultry.
Facilities must include adequate housing for livestock, isolation pens for animals infected with contagious diseases, a veterinary clinic, a necropsy room, feed storage, and sources of potable water and electricity. Additionally, there must be an administrative building, worker accommodations, and a designated area for handling waste and deceased animals.
A critical requirement of the decree is the implementation of an electronic system for record-keeping. This system should document all incoming and outgoing animal shipments, quarantine procedures performed, and any health issues or mortalities among the livestock. Each facility must also employ a licensed veterinarian and veterinary technicians.
To obtain a license for a private veterinary quarantine facility, applicants must submit a request using the designated form approved by the relevant authority, along with the required fee. The completion of additional licensing requirements must be fulfilled within a timeframe set by the authority based on the type and size of the proposed facility.
The decree also provides a mechanism for appeals. If an application is rejected, the applicant has the right to submit a written appeal to the minister within thirty days of receiving notification of the rejection, either via registered mail or electronic means. Should the appeal be dismissed, the applicant may challenge the decision in court within thirty days.
For facilities that quarantine animals for the purpose of export or re-export, approval from the relevant authority is necessary to issue the required veterinary health certificates, following all necessary examinations and vaccinations under the supervision of the responsible veterinarian, in accordance with the importing country's requirements.
Penalties for non-compliance with the new regulations include warnings, temporary closure of the facility for up to three months, or the revocation of the operating license. These measures aim to enhance the safety and health standards of animal quarantine procedures in Bahrain, ensuring better protection for public health and animal welfare.
According to the decree, private veterinary quarantine facilities may only be established with prior approval from the relevant administrative authority. These facilities will be subject to oversight and must adhere to all quarantine procedures outlined in Law No. 8 of 2003, which governs veterinary quarantine systems in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, along with its executive regulations.
The decree specifies several conditions for the establishment of private veterinary quarantine facilities. Primarily, these facilities must be located as close as possible to approved entry points into the Kingdom while being situated away from residential areas. They must also be surrounded by a secure fence and designed for easy access for animals and equipment. Furthermore, they should be at least 100 meters away from any livestock enclosures, including sheep, cattle, camels, and poultry.
Facilities must include adequate housing for livestock, isolation pens for animals infected with contagious diseases, a veterinary clinic, a necropsy room, feed storage, and sources of potable water and electricity. Additionally, there must be an administrative building, worker accommodations, and a designated area for handling waste and deceased animals.
A critical requirement of the decree is the implementation of an electronic system for record-keeping. This system should document all incoming and outgoing animal shipments, quarantine procedures performed, and any health issues or mortalities among the livestock. Each facility must also employ a licensed veterinarian and veterinary technicians.
To obtain a license for a private veterinary quarantine facility, applicants must submit a request using the designated form approved by the relevant authority, along with the required fee. The completion of additional licensing requirements must be fulfilled within a timeframe set by the authority based on the type and size of the proposed facility.
The decree also provides a mechanism for appeals. If an application is rejected, the applicant has the right to submit a written appeal to the minister within thirty days of receiving notification of the rejection, either via registered mail or electronic means. Should the appeal be dismissed, the applicant may challenge the decision in court within thirty days.
For facilities that quarantine animals for the purpose of export or re-export, approval from the relevant authority is necessary to issue the required veterinary health certificates, following all necessary examinations and vaccinations under the supervision of the responsible veterinarian, in accordance with the importing country's requirements.
Penalties for non-compliance with the new regulations include warnings, temporary closure of the facility for up to three months, or the revocation of the operating license. These measures aim to enhance the safety and health standards of animal quarantine procedures in Bahrain, ensuring better protection for public health and animal welfare.
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