BAPHIQ enhance the Quarantine Rules for the Importation of Dogs and Cats into Taiwan

2005.06.03

While there have been many outbreaks of rabies around the world especially in Asia, enhancement of the quarantine measures for the importation of dogs and cats to maintain the rabies-free status of Taiwan was imperative. Therefore, the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ), Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan reviewed the “Rules for the Importation of Dogs or Cats into Taiwan “ and the amended rules was promulgated on February 18, 2005. The key amendment is requirement for pre-export neutralization antibody test for rabies. For dogs and cats import from rabies-infected country into Taiwan, a report indicated the animal’s serum contains at least 0.5IU/ml is required. The blood sampling date should be no less than 180 days and no more than 2 years prior to shipment. Furthermore, the sample should be tested by rabies reference laboratories of the World Organization for Animal Health or laboratories designated by the BAPHIQ.

The amended rules become effective on June 6, 2005. The BAPHIQ advised owners who intends to ship dogs or cats from rabies-infected country after June 6 have to follow the above-mentioned quarantine requirements. Otherwise, the dogs or cats will be re-exported or detained at the designated post-entry quarantine premise for 180 days.

The BAPHIQ also outline the other revision of the amended rules, such as follows: the rabies vaccination statement of dogs or cats from rabies-infected countries shall be conformed to the standard made by the World Organization for Animal Health, the importer shall apply for an import permit at least 30 days prior to shipment, microchip should be implant into each imported dogs and cats, the monitoring inspection period is shorted from 6 months to 3 months.

The BAPHIQ said, “Rabies is a terrible zoonosis with 100% mortality.” Taiwan is one of the few rabies-free countries and has no case of rabies since 1961. To maintain the rabies free status, the quarantine requirements of dogs and cats have been executed strictly. Owners have to follow these quarantine requirements while take their dogs or cats into Taiwan. These quarantine requirements could be download from the website of the BAPHIQ (/en/index.asp). The BAPHIQ advised all dear compatriots that don’t smuggle any animals and don’t buy any animals or their products of unknown origin. “If any events or indications of smuggling is discovered, please do not hesitate to contact us through the you-free report hotline: 0800039131 or Taipei Box 5-40,” the BAPHIQ finally appealed.