(1) Every animal which is imported into Saint Lucia shall, unless exempted by virtue of regulations, upon being landed be placed in quarantine for such period and subject to such other conditions as may be prescribed.
(2) The Minister may make regulations in respect of the quarantining of animals that are subject to the requirement of being placed in quarantine under subsection (1) and without prejudice to the generality of such power, may by such regulations prescribe, in relation to such categories of animals as are specified therein, the period of time during which, and the conditions under which, such animals shall be kept in quarantine and he or she may prescribe different periods and different conditions for different categories of animals.
(3) The Minister may prescribe the categories of animals which shall be exempted, and the conditions under which such animals shall be exempted, from the requirement of being placed in quarantine under subsection (1).
(4) Although an animal to be imported into Saint Lucia is exempted from the requirement of being placed in quarantine under subsection (1), an inspector who has cause to suspect that—
(a) the animal may be suffering from a prescribed or other infectious or contagious disease;
(b) the animal may have been in contact during its transportation to Saint Lucia with any other animal which is or may be suffering from such a disease or with any other animal which is not so exempted from the requirement of being placed in quarantine; or
(c) the animal has otherwise been exposed to the risk of contracting such a disease;
may in his or her discretion direct that the animal shall, on being landed, be subject to the requirement of being placed in quarantine.
(5) This section shall not be construed as restricting the power of the Veterinary Authority to impose as a condition in an import permit issued under section 14 in respect of any animal to be imported into Saint Lucia the requirement that the animal be placed in quarantine, and to give directions therein with respect to the period and conditions of quarantine of that animal.
(Inserted by Act 15 of 1994)