SOLOMON ISLANDS

BIOSECURITY ACT 2013

(NO. 3 OF 2013)

PASSED by the National Parliament this ninth day of April 2013.

(This printed impression has been carefully compared by me with the Bill passed by Parliament and found by me to be a true copy of the Bill)

Taeasi Sanga (Mrs)
Clerk to National Parliament

ASSENTED to in Her Majesty's name and on Her Majesty's behalf this 23rd day of May 2013.

Sir Frank Utu Ofagioro Kabui
Governor-General

Date of Commencement: see section 1

AN ACT TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF ANIMAL AND PLANT PESTS AND DISEASES INTO SOLOMON ISLANDS; TO CONTROL THEIR ESTABLISHMENT AND SPREAD IN SOLOMON ISLANDS; TO REGULATE THE MOVEMENT OF ANIMAL AND PLANT PESTS AND DISEASES AND OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS AND THEIR PRODUCTS; TO FACILITATE INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN RESPECT OF ANIMAL AND PLANT DISEASES AND RELATED MATTERS

ENACTED by the National Parliament of Solomon Islands.
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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART 1 —PRELIMINARY

1. Short title and commencement
2. Interpretation
3. Application
4. Act binds the Crown
5. Responsibility for the Act
6. Objects of the Act
7. Relationship with other Acts

PART 2— BIOSECURITY BORDER CONTROL

8. Regulated pests and diseases
9. Prohibited imports
10. Biosecurity points of entry and departure
11. Designation of biosecurity holding areas
12. Management of biosecurity holding areas
13. Biosecurity clearance agents

PART 3— VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT

14. Biosecurity arrival declaration
15. Biosecurity landing clearance
16. Biosecurity port quarantine of vessels and aircraft
17. Management of biosecurity port quarantine areas
18. Conduct of vessels and aircraft in biosecurity port quarantine
19. Biosecurity port quarantine clearance of vessels and aircraft
20. Outgoing vessels and aircraft
21. Environmental obligations of masters and captains
22. Passengers and crew members

PART 4— BIOSECURITY IMPORT PROCEDURES

23. Biosecurity entry inspection of incoming articles
24. Biosecurity import clearance of regulated articles
25. Grant and refusal of biosecurity import clearance
26. Biosecurity import specifications
27. Biosecurity access arrangements
28. Application for a biosecurity import permit
29. Issue of a biosecurity import permit
30. Revocation of a biosecurity import permit
31. Exemption from biosecurity import requirements
32. Articles and passengers in transit

PART 5— BIOSECURITY EXPORT PROCEDURES

33. Biosecurity export inspection of outgoing articles
34. Requirement for biosecurity export clearance
35. Issue of sanitary and phytosanitary certificates.
36. Biosecurity export specifications
37. Application for biosecurity export clearance
38. Grant of biosecurity export clearance

PART 6— BIOSECURITY QUARANTINE

39. Biosecurity quarantine of regulated articles
40. Biosecurity quarantine stations
41. Conditions of biosecurity quarantine
42. Management of biosecurity quarantine stations
43. Release from biosecurity quarantine
44. Biosecurity quarantine notices
45. No plant or animal to be at large

PART 7— POWERS OF BIOSECURITY OFFICERS

46. General rules as to exercise of powers
47. Entry, search and seizure
48. Inspection of documents
49. Inspection of articles
50. Detention of articles
51. Taking of samples
52. Testing of articles
53. Treatment of articles
54. Re-consignment of articles
55. Destruction of articles
56. Post mortem examination of an animal
57. Powers in relation to people

PART 8— BIOSECURITY INTERNAL CONTROL

58. Pest and disease surveys
59. Entry, search and seizure
60. Detention and testing of animals and plants and their products
61. Treatment or destruction of animals and plants and their products
62. Infested biosecurity controlled areas
63. Regulation of infested biosecurity controlled areas
64. Pest-free biosecurity controlled areas
65. Regulation of pest-free biosecurity controlled areas
66. Destruction of wild animals
67. Notifiable pests and diseases
68. Beneficial organisms and biocontrol agents

PART 9— BIOSECURITY EMERGENCIES

69. Declaration of a biosecurity emergency area
70. Response to a biosecurity emergency
71. Action in a biosecurity emergency area
72. Biosecurity Emergency Regulations

PART 10— THE DIRECTOR OF BIOSECURITY 
AND OTHER BIOSECURITY OFFICERS

73. Designation of Director of Biosecurity
74. Designation of biosecurity officers
75. Functions of the Director
76. Report to the Minister
77. Directions
78. Delegation of functions
79. Biosecurity register and records
80. Status of biosecurity register and records

PART 11— ADMINISTRATION OF THE ACT

81. Financial provisions
82. Powers of Provincial Governments
83. Consultation and outsourcing
84. Duty to coordinate
85. Facilities at biosecurity points of entry or departure
86. Safe carriage and safe working environment
87. Compliance agreements
88. Biosecurity approved premises
89. International cooperation
90. Notifications

PART 12— OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

91. Dereliction of duty by officers
92. Obstruction, false information etc.
93. Fraudulent use of official documents
94. Maximum penalties
95. Forfeiture
96. Fixed penalty system
97. Offences by corporate bodies

PART 13— MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

98. Civil and criminal proceedings
99. Abandoned goods
100. Compensation
101. Appeals from decisions
102. Limitation of liability
103. Evidence
104. Publication of orders and giving of notices
105. Specifications
106. Regulations
107. Repeals and savings
108. Transitional provisions

Schedule      Maximum penalties and fixed penalties
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BIOSECURITY ACT 2013

PART 1 —PRELIMINARY

Short title and commencement

1. This Act may be cited as the Biosecurity Act 2013, and commences on a date appointed by the Minister, by notice in the Gazette.

Interpretation

2. (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires –

"aircraft" means any conveyance that may be used in navigation by air;

"animal" means any mammal (other than a human), bird, insect, amphibian, reptile, fish, mollusc or other member of the animal kingdom, whether alive or dead, and includes the egg, embryo, ova or semen and any organic animal tissue from which another animal could be produced, and the hide, skin, hair, feathers, shell, horns, hoof, viscera or any other part or portion of the body of an animal;

"animal product" means any article or substance derived from an animal, whether or not in combination with any other article or substance, and includes –

(a) meat, fat, milk, whey, cream, butter, cheese, eggs and other foodstuffs derived from an animal;

(b) the dung, urine, faeces, saliva, bone or blood of an animal, or any article or substance derived from the dung, urine, faeces, saliva, bone or blood of an animal;

(c) the secretions of any animal; or

(d) any product or biological preparation derived from any animal tissue or animal secretion;

"article" means a single unit of any goods;

"authorised" means duly authorised by the Minister, the Director or a public officer for the purposes of this Act;

"baggage" means any goods which accompany a passenger or crew member on a conveyance, including clothing and any article attached or otherwise connected to the body or clothing of any passenger or crew member;

"ballast water" means water (including sediment that is or has been contained in water) used as ballast in a vessel;

"biosecurity" means the control by legal and administrative means of pests and diseases affecting animals, plants and their products, in order to avoid adverse effects from such pests and diseases on the economy and health of Solomon Islands;

"biosecurity access arrangements" means arrangements under section 27(1) for specifications in respect of new imports;

"Insecurity approved premises" means premises approved for the inspection, testing and treatment of regulated articles under section 88;

"Insecurity authority" of a receiving country means the authority or officer in that country which administers its insecurity Acts;

"insecurity certification requirement", in relation to an article, means a requirement by a receiving country for a sanitary or phytosanitary certificate or a certificate of origin in respect of the article;

"biosecurity clearance", in respect of a regulated article or consignment, means biosecurity import clearance or biosecurity export clearance;

"biosecurity clearance agent" means a person in Solomon Islands appointed by an importer or exporter under section 13 for the purposes of this Act as the agent of the importer or exporter to supervise the biosecurity clearance of a conveyance, container, animal, plant, animal or plant product or any other goods;

"biosecurity control", in relation to a regulated article, means submission of the regulated article for inspection under this Act, and thereafter taking such biosecurity measures, or permitting such measures to be taken, as are directed pursuant to this Act, until biosecurity clearance is granted in respect of the article;

"biosecurity controlled area" means an infested biosecurity controlled area declared under section 62 or a pest-free biosecurity controlled area declared under section 64;

"biosecurity declaration", in relation to an article or consignment, means a written statement of the nature, quantity and origin of the article or consignment, and of other details relating to it required by or under this Act;

"biosecurity emergency" means the incursion or suspected incursion of a regulated pest or disease into any area of Solomon Islands, or the existence of some other biosecurity threat, which requires urgent action, whether by eradication, containment or other response, and for which the powers under this Act are not otherwise adequate;

"biosecurity emergency area" means an area declared in response to a biosecurity emergency under section 69;

"biosecurity entry inspection", in relation to an incoming article, means inspection of an incoming article pursuant to section 23;

"biosecurity export clearance", in relation to an article, means permission under section 38 for the article or consignment to be exported;

"biosecurity export inspection", in relation to an outgoing article, means inspection of an outgoing article pursuant to section 33;

"biosecurity functions of the Government" means the functions set out in section 6;

"biosecurity goods holding area" means an area of land at or adjacent to a seaport or airport designated under section 11(3) for the biosecurity inspection of incoming or outgoing articles and consignments;

"biosecurity holding area" means a biosecurity port holding area, a biosecurity goods holding area or a biosecurity postal holding area;

"biosecurity import clearance" of an article means permission under section 25 for the article or consignment to be removed from a biosecurity holding area;

"biosecurity import clearance inspection", in relation to an incoming article means inspection of the incoming article pursuant to section 24;

"biosecurity import permit" means a biosecurity import permit issued under section 29;

"biosecurity import requirements" in relation to an article or consignment means -

(a) the conditions of a biosecurity import permit, if one is required;

(b) the requirements of any sanitary or phytosanitary certificate relating to the article or consignment;

(c) any other biosecurity measures specified under section 26(1)(c);

"biosecurity inspection" of an incoming or outgoing conveyance, article or consignment means an inspection to ascertain whether the conveyance, article or consignment presents a biosecurity risk to Solomon Islands or a receiving country and whether in other respects it conforms to the requirements of this Act;

"biosecurity landing clearance" means clearance for a vessel or aircraft to land cargo or passengers under section 15;

"biosecurity measure" means the inspection, detention, quarantining, testing, treatment, re-consignment or destruction of a regulated article to eliminate or reduce the biosecurity threat presented by the article;

"biosecurity officer" means -

(a) the Director and his or her deputy, if any;

(b) any person designated as a biosecurity officer under section 74;

(c) in respect of any particular function,  a biosecurity officer to whom the function has been assigned or delegated under section 74 or 78;

"biosecurity point of departure" means a seaport or airport designated under section 10(4) for the exportation of regulated articles;

"biosecurity point of entry" means a seaport or airport designated under section 10(1) for the importation of regulated articles;

"biosecurity port holding area" means an area designated under section 11(1) for the biosecurity inspection of incoming vessels or aircraft;

"biosecurity port quarantine" means quarantine of a vessel or aircraft in a biosecurity port quarantine area under section 16;

"biosecurity port quarantine area" means an area designated under section 16(1) for the quarantine of vessels or aircraft;

"biosecurity port quarantine clearance" means permission under section 19 for a vessel or aircraft to unload passengers and cargo after being in biosecurity port quarantine;

"biosecurity postal holding area" means an area of a mail exchange designated under section 11(5) for the biosecurity inspection of incoming or outgoing postal items;

"biosecurity quarantine" means confinement in isolation of a regulated article and any conveyance, container or packaging in which the article is carried, for inspection, testing or treatment in order to prevent or limit the entry, introduction, establishment or spread of a regulated pest or disease;

"biosecurity quarantine station" means a facility under the control of the Director and designated under section 40 for the performance of biosecurity quarantine, and includes a temporary biosecurity quarantine station;

"biosecurity register" means the register kept by the Director under section 79;

"biosecurity risk" means the likelihood of the introduction, establishment or spread of a pest or disease which would adversely affect animals, plants, human beings, the environment or economic activities, and the likely extent of such harm;

"biosecurity risk assessment" in relation to a regulated article means evaluation of the biosecurity risk posed by the article;

"biosecurity specifications" means biosecurity import specifications made under section 26 or biosecurity export specifications made under section 36;

"biosecurity threat" means the threat of harm being caused or adverse effects resulting to animals, plants, human beings, the environment or economic activities as a result of the introduction, establishment or spread of a regulated pest or disease;

"captain", in relation to an aircraft, means the person for the time being in command of the aircraft;

"compliance agreement" means an agreement between the Director and another person as provided for in section 87;

"consignment" means a quantity of goods which arrive in the same vessel or aircraft and which in accordance with this Act can be covered by a single import permit or sanitary or phytosanitary certificate;

"container" means anything in which or by which goods are encased, covered, enclosed or packed, including any material in contact with the goods;

"contamination" means the presence in any item of a pest, not constituting an infestation;

"conveyance" means a ship, aircraft, vehicle or other means of transporting people, goods or animals from one location to another, while it is being used or prepared for such transport;

"country of origin" includes a re-exporting country;

"custodian", in respect of an item, means the occupier of a place or the person in possession and charge of an article, whether lawfully or not, but does not include a person who has possession or control of the item only for the purpose of taking biosecurity measures in respect of it;

"Deputy Director" means the Deputy Director of Biosecurity designated under section 73;

"Director" means the Director of Biosecurity designated under section 73, any person for the time being performing the functions of Director and, in respect of any particular function, a person to whom the function has been delegated under section 78;

"disease" means any unhealthy condition in an animal or plant which is known or suspected to be caused by an organism, and includes a disease transmissible from animals to humans and a disease capable of harming the environment;

"document" means any mode of communicating information in a retrievable form, including electronically;

"environment" includes –

(a) the ecosystem and its constituent parts, including people and communities;

(b) all natural and physical resources;

(c) the qualities and characteristics of locations, places and areas;

"eradication" means the application of measures to eliminate a pest or disease from an area;

"establishment", in relation to a pest or disease, means the perpetuation in an area of the pest or disease for the foreseeable future after its entry into the area;

"export" means to take or send goods out of Solomon Islands;

"exporter" means a person who exports or seeks to export goods, other than as the master of the vessel or captain of the aircraft in which the goods are carried, and includes a biosecurity clearance agent;

"fittings" means any stall, box, cage, enclosure, pen, net or other material used for penning, yarding, confining or containing any animal and includes any harness, saddlery, rope, bucket, trough, bedding, utensil or implement used in the handling or keeping of animals or animal products;

"fodder" means any water, meat, vegetables, grain or material used for the food or litter of animals, or the storage of animal products;

"garbage" means waste material derived in whole or in part from plants, fruit, vegetables, meat or other plant or animal material, or other refuse of any kind that has been associated with any plants, fruits, vegetables, meat or other plant or animal material;

"genetic material" means any material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin containing functional units of heredity;

"goods" means any kind of moveable property or thing;

"host material" means any packing material, container, fittings, litter, manure, fodder or similar goods that might have had contact with animals or plants or their products;

"import" means to bring goods, or cause goods to be brought, into Solomon Islands;

"import prohibited articles" means an article prohibited by order made under section 9;

"importer" means a person who imports or seeks to import goods, other than as the master of a vessel or captain of the aircraft in which the goods are carried; and includes a biosecurity clearance agent;

"in transit", in relation to goods, means the goods are not imported into an area but pass through it to another area, whether by the same or another conveyance, during which time they remain enclosed, are not split up, are not combined with other goods, and do not have their packaging changed;

"infected", in relation to an animal or plant, means that the animal or plant is diseased or may have been exposed to the risk of infection during the preceding 6 months;

"infested", in relation to an item or area, means that there is present in the item or area a living pest or disease;

"inspection", in relation to an item, means an official examination of the item to determine if any pest or disease is present in the item and whether in other respects the item conforms to the requirements of this Act;

"IPPC" means the International Plant Protection Convention of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations;

"introduction", in relation to a pest or disease, means the entry of the pest or disease into an area, resulting in its establishment in the area;

"item" means any kind of moveable or immoveable property or thing, including premises;

"living organism" means any organism capable of transferring or replicating genetic material, including sterile organisms, viruses, viroids, plasmids, bacteriophages and prions;

"master", in relation to a vessel, means the person for the time being in charge of the vessel, not being the pilot;

"microbe" means any organism or biotic entity of microscopic proportions, whether unicellular, multi-cellular or sub-cellular in common form;

"National Disaster Council" means the Council established under the National Disaster Council Act (Cap. 148);

"notifiable pest or disease" means a pest or disease which is declared under section 67(1) to be notifiable;

"OIE" means the Organisation Internationale Epizoötique; or World Organisation for Animal Health;

"organism" means a biotic entity capable of reproduction or replication, other than a human;

"packing material" means any fabric, paper, cardboard, plastic, wood, straw, grass or leaves used in packing any goods, and any other type of material in which goods are covered, enclosed, contained or wrapped;

"pest" means any species, strain or biotype of a plant, animal, microbe or pathogenic agent, or any organism, which –

(a) causes disease; or

(b) is detrimental to or capable of harming or adversely affecting animals or animal products, plants or plant products, human beings or the environment;

"risk analysis" means the evaluation by a qualified person of biological or other scientific and economic evidence to determine whether a pest or disease should be regulated and the nature of any biosecurity measures to be taken against it;

"phytosanitary certificate" means a certificate relating to a plant or plant product which –

(a) is issued by the biosecurity authority of the country of origin or re-exporting country;

(b) certifies that the plant or plant product is substantially free from plant pests and diseases and in other respects meets the plant health import requirements of the receiving country; and

(c) is patterned after the model certificates of the IPPC;

"plant" includes seeds, germplasm, any other part of a plant and a dead or preserved plant;

"plant material" means any unmanufactured material of plant origin, including grain;

"plant product" means –

(a) plant material;

(b) timber; and

(b) any product manufactured wholly or partly from one or more plants;

"PPPO" means the Pacific Plant Protection Organisation;

"precautionary principle" means the principle that it is not unreasonable to refuse permission for an activity that has great potential negative impact, even if there is not sufficient scientific data to support a refusal, as incorporated in Article 5.7 of the SPS Agreement;

"premises" means any immoveable property, other than land;

"prescribed" means prescribed by this Act or by regulations made under it;

"prohibited import" means a regulated article the importation or ownership of which is prohibited under section 9;

"Provincial Government" means a Provincial Government established under the Provincial Government Act 1998, and includes the Honiara City Council established under the Honiara City Act 1999;

"re-exporting country", in relation to any goods, means a country which is not the country of origin of the goods, but where a container or consignment of goods is opened and re-packed for export;

"receiving country" means a country which is the intended destination of an article being or proposed to be exported;

"re-consign", in relation to a regulated article or consignment which has been refused biosecurity import clearance, means to send the article or consignment out of Solomon Islands, either by the vessel or aircraft on which it was imported or by another vessel or aircraft;

"regulated article" means –

(a) any animal or animal product;

(b) any plant or plant product;

(c) any living organism, whether modified or not;

(d) soil, sand gravel and aggregate;

(e) any genetic material;

(f) human remains;

(g) any host material;

(h) a regulated pest or disease;

(i) any clothing, machinery or other article that contains or has adhering to it anything mentioned in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d);

(j) garbage;

(k) any other article, substance, goods or thing declared by the Minister by order under subsection (2) to be a regulated article for the purposes of this Act;

"regulated consignment" means a consignment of regulated articles; 

"regulated pest or disease" means a pest or disease –

(a) the importation of which into Solomon Islands is prohibited or restricted under section 8; or

(b) which is under official control;

"sanitary certificate" means an international health certificate relating to an animal or animal product which –

(a) is issued by the biosecurity or agricultural Director of the country of origin or re-exporting country;

(b) certifies that the animal or animal product is substantially free from animal pests and diseases and in other respects meets the animal health import requirements of the receiving country; and

(c) complies with relevant requirements of the SPS Agreement or the exporting country, as the case may be;

"ship's stores" means any food or other regulated articles carried on a vessel or aircraft for consumption or use on the vessel or aircraft;

"specified", in relation to a requirement, document, procedure or any other matter, means specified by the Director under section 105;

"spread", in relation to a pest or disease, means the expansion of the geographical distribution of the pest or disease within an area;

"SPS Agreement" means the World Trade Organisation Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures;

"status", in relation to a pest or disease, means its presence, absence, prevalence, incidence, distribution and occurrence in an area;

"technical section head" means the head of the department or section of government responsible for animal health, plant health, fisheries, environment and health quarantine matters respectively, not being the Director;

"test" means an examination which goes beyond a visual inspection, to determine if a pest or disease is, or is likely to be, present or to identify a pest or disease, and includes chemical tests of plant material and diagnostic tests in respect of an animal;

"timber" includes round wood, sawn wood, wood chips and dunnage, with or without bark;

"treatment" means an authorised procedure for the killing, removal, modification or rendering infertile or non-viable of a pest or disease by way of cleansing, fumigation, inoculation, disinfection, disinfestation, decontamination, or otherwise;

"uncleared", in relation to a regulated article, means that the article has not received biosecurity clearance;

"under official control", in relation to a pest or disease, means that its presence is known, its distribution is limited and its further spread is controlled by the exercise of powers under this Act;

"vehicle" includes a bicycle (whether motorized or not), a cart and any other wheeled conveyance;

"vessel" includes a ship, hovercraft, boat, ferry, raft, yacht, canoe or pontoon that is used as a conveyance in or on water, whether or not it is self-propelled;

"written" and "in writing" mean any mode of communicating information in a retrievable form, including electronically (as to which see section 14(2)).

(2) The Minister may, on the advice of the Director, declare, by order in the Gazette, any article, substance, goods or thing to be a regulated article for the purposes of this Act.

Application

3. (1) This Act applies to every person in Solomon Islands, irrespective of the person's nationality or citizenship.

(2) This Act applies to all conveyances, containers, and goods while they are in Solomon Islands, including vessels and aircraft owned or operated by the government of a foreign State.

(3) This Act applies to persons, conveyances, containers, and goods outside Solomon Islands to the extent needed for effective enforcement of this Act.

Act binds the Crown

4. This Act binds the Crown, including every Government department, Provincial Government and statutory authority and every person in the employment of the Government.

Responsibility for the Act

5. (1) The Minister is responsible for the overall administration of this Act.

(2) The Permanent Secretary is responsible to the Minister for the efficient and effective administration of this Act.

(3) The Director is responsible to the Permanent Secretary for the performance of the functions of the Director under this Act.

Objects of the Act

6. The objects of this Act are –

(a) to protect Solomon Islands against the entry of regulated pests and diseases affecting animals, plants, human beings and the environment;

(b) to carry out surveillance and monitoring of pests and diseases in Solomon Islands and assess the status of regulated pests and diseases;

(c) to prevent the establishment and spread of regulated pests and diseases and the release of organisms that might adversely affect animals, plants, human beings and the environment of Solomon Islands;

(d) to eradicate, contain or control the movement of regulated pests and diseases not already present in Solomon Islands;

(e) to prevent the introduction and spread of regulated pests and diseases not already present in Solomon Islands;

(f) to facilitate the safe importation of animals and plants and their products, and related equipment and technology;

(g) to facilitate the export of animals and plants and their products in accordance with the biosecurity requirements of the receiving countries; and

(h) to facilitate international cooperation to prevent the spread of pests and diseases affecting plants, animals, human beings and the environment.

Relationship with other Acts

7. (1) This Act is in addition to and does not derogate from any other Act, and in particular, but without limiting this section –

(a) the notification requirements in section 14 relating to human health do not displace any other statutory requirement relating to such notification;

(b) the provisions of Part 3 relating to biosecurity port quarantine of vessels and aircraft do not displace any other provisions relating to quarantine of vessels and aircraft; and

(c) the requirements relating to imports and exports in Parts 4 and 5 do not displace any other statutory requirements relating to imports and exports, trade in endangered species, biosafety, biodiversity or environmental legislation generally.

(2) To the extent of any inconsistency between this Act and any other Act, every other Act must so far as possible be construed so as to fulfil the purpose of this Act.

PART 2—BORDER BIOSECURITY CONTROL

Regulated pests and diseases

8. (1) The Minister may, by order in the Gazette, declare pests or diseases –

(a) the importation of which is prohibited for all purposes;

(b) the importation of which is permitted subject to conditions specified by the Director under section 26; or

(c) which are under official control.

(2) A person who imports or attempts to import a pest or disease which is prohibited under subsection (1)(a) commits an offence.

(3) A person who imports or attempts to import a pest or disease which is regulated under subsection (1)(b) in breach of the conditions of import commits an offence.

(4) Before making an order under this section, the Minister must obtain –

(a) a pest risk analysis;

(b) the advice of the Director and of relevant technical section heads.

Prohibited imports

9. (1) The Minister may, by order in the Gazette, prohibit the importation of –

(a) particular regulated articles from all countries; or

(b) particular regulated articles from one or more particular countries of origin,

if the importation would present an unacceptable biosecurity risk to Solomon Islands.

(2) An order under this section in respect of an article –

(a) may be made at any time before biosecurity import clearance is granted in respect of the article; or

(b) continues in force until the prohibition is revoked or varied, but must be reviewed within every 2 years.

(3) In making a decision under this section, the Minister

(a) must have regard to the international obligations of Solomon Islands in respect of biosecurity; and

(b) may apply the precautionary principle.

(4) Before making an order under this section the Minister must obtain –

(a) a pest risk analysis in relation to the article; and

(b) the advice of the Director and of relevant technical section heads.

(5) If a person imports or attempts to import an import prohibited article –

(a) the person commits an offence; and

(b) biosecurity import clearance under section 25 will be refused for the article.

(6) A person who without lawful excuse owns or is in possession of any import prohibited article commits an offence.

Biosecurity points of entry and departure

10. (1) The Minister may, by order in the Gazette, designate, as biosecurity points of entry, any seaports or airports at which regulated articles may enter Solomon Islands.

(2) Subject to subsection (9), a master or captain who causes or permits an incoming vessel or aircraft to berth or land except at a seaport or airport that is a biosecurity point of entry commits an offence.

(3) A person who imports, or attempts to import, a regulated article or consignment except at a biosecurity point of entry commits an offence.

(4) The Minister may by order designate as biosecurity points of departure the seaports and airports at which regulated articles may be exported.

(5) A master or captain who causes or permits a vessel or aircraft to leave Solomon Islands except from a seaport or airport that is a biosecurity point of departure commits an offence.

(6) A person who exports, or attempts to export, a regulated article or consignment except at a biosecurity point of departure commits an offence.

(7) A designation of a biosecurity point of entry or departure may be limited to particular types of vessels, aircraft or articles or to arrivals from or exports to particular countries.

(8) A vessel or aircraft may berth or land elsewhere than at a biosecurity point of entry –

(a) if constrained by adverse weather, mechanical failure or superior force; or

(b) if so directed or permitted by the Director or a biosecurity officer.

(9) In the circumstances mentioned in subsection (8), the place where the vessel has berthed or the aircraft has landed is deemed to be a biosecurity point of entry for the purposes of this Act, once the Director has been notified of the berthing or landing.

(10) Before making an order under subsection (1) or (4) the Minister must obtain the advice of the Director and consult, as the case may be, the officers or authorities responsible for the movement of vessels and aircraft in Solomon Islands.

Designation of biosecurity holding areas

11. (1) The Minister may, by order in the Gazette, designate –

(a) any territorial waters or any part of a seaport as a biosecurity port holding area for vessels; and

(b) any part of an airport as a biosecurity port holding area for aircraft.

(2) A biosecurity port holding area is one where incoming conveyances may be held for biosecurity inspection pending biosecurity landing clearance or other disposition under this Act.

(3) The Minister may, by order in the Gazette, designate any area of land at or adjacent to a seaport or airport as a biosecurity goods holding area for incoming or outgoing containers and goods.

(4) A biosecurity goods holding area is one where incoming or outgoing containers or goods may be held for biosecurity inspection pending biosecurity clearance or other disposition under this Act.

(5) The Minister may designate any part of a mail exchange as a biosecurity postal holding area for incoming or outgoing postal items.

(6) A biosecurity postal holding area is one where incoming or outgoing postal items may be held for biosecurity inspection pending biosecurity clearance or other disposition under this Act.

(7) Before making an order under subsection (1), (3) or (5), the Minister must obtain the advice of the Director and consult, as the case may be, the officers or authorities responsible for the movement of vessels, aircraft and postal items in Solomon Islands.

(8) A mail exchange may only be designated as a biosecurity holding area in respect of regulated articles that at the time of entry or departure are in a mail bag or other container that conforms to the requirements of the postal legislation of Solomon Islands.

Management of biosecurity holding areas

12. (1) No person, other than the person in charge of the area or a biosecurity officer acting in the course of duty, may enter a biosecurity holding area without the written permission of the Director, or the permission of the person in charge of the area or of a biosecurity officer.

(2) A biosecurity officer may, in order to reduce a biosecurity threat, lock, seal or otherwise prevent entry to and exit from a biosecurity holding area or any building in it.

(3) A person commits an offence if the person –

(a) enters a biosecurity holding area without permission given under subsection (1); or

(b) damages, interferes with or in any way reduces the effectiveness of measures taken to secure a biosecurity holding area, or any regulated article or other item in the area.

(4) The Director may issue written directions to the person in charge of a biosecurity holding area as to the management of the area.

(5) A person who removes or attempts to remove from a biosecurity holding area any regulated article without obtaining biosecurity clearance in respect of it, unless for the purpose of biosecurity measures being applied to the article in accordance with this Act, commits an offence.

Biosecurity clearance agents

13. (1) A person who proposes to import or export regulated articles through a seaport or airport and who will not be present when biosecurity inspection is to take place must –

(a) in writing appoint a person resident in Solomon Islands as a biosecurity clearance agent for the purposes of this Act; and

(b) notify the Director in writing of the appointment before the agent performs any agency functions.

(2) A biosecurity clearance agent appointed under subsection (1) ceases to be an agent for the purposes of this Act if the Director notifies the importer or exporter in writing that, in the opinion of the Director, the agent's conduct in the performance of functions under this Act renders the agent unacceptable for purposes of this Act.

(3) Notices under subsection (2) must be given in sufficient time to allow the importer or exporter to appoint another agent.

(4) A biosecurity clearance agent appointed under subsection (1) ceases to be an agent for the purposes of this Act if the Director notifies the importer or exporter in writing that, in the opinion of the Director, the agent's conduct in the performance of functions under this Act renders the agent unacceptable for purposes of this Act.

(5) If a person referred to in subsection (1) fails to comply with that subsection, biosecurity clearance will not be granted for any regulated article or consignment which the person seeks to import or export. 

PART 3 — VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT

Biosecurity arrival declaration

14. (1) The master or captain of every vessel or aircraft destined for Solomon Islands must make or cause to be made to the Director a biosecurity arrival declaration, in the prescribed form, stating –

(a) the destination seaport or airport in Solomon Islands and the estimated time of arrival of the vessel or aircraft; 

(b) its immediately preceding port or place of call; 

(c) the proposed itinerary of the vessel or aircraft until it leaves Solomon Islands; 

(d) the nature and country of origin of its cargo; 

(e) the number of passengers and crew; 

(f) the presence of any live animal or live plant on the vessel or aircraft; 

(g) the nature of any illness or malady affecting any live animal, plant, crew member, passenger or other individual on board the vessel or aircraft; and 

(h) any other matter relevant to facilitating biosecurity landing clearance of the vessel or aircraft that is specified by the Director. 

(2) The declaration required by subsection (1) –

(a) must be made not less than 24 hours in the case of a vessel, or 60 minutes in the case of an aircraft, before the estimated time of arrival; 

(b) may be made by electronic means, in accordance with directions of the Director issued from time to time;

(c) may be made through a biosecurity clearance agent; or

(d) may be made in conjunction with or as part of a declaration made for customs or other border control purposes.

(3) A master or captain who fails to make a biosecurity arrival declaration, either directly or through a biosecurity clearance agent, commits an offence.

Biosecurity landing clearance

15. (1) The master or captain of every incoming vessel or aircraft must –

(a) take the vessel or aircraft directly to a biosecurity port holding area as directed by a biosecurity officer;

(b) permit a biosecurity officer to board and search the vessel or aircraft in accordance with section 47(1);

(c) provide to the officer the log, cargo manifest, bill of lading, stores list, passenger list, crew list and any other document that is on or in and relates to the vessel or aircraft and that the officer reasonably requests for the purposes of this Act; and

(d) complete an incoming conveyance biosecurity certificate, in the form specified or approved by the Director, certifying that all garbage, live animals, meat or animal products and plants or plant material on board the vessel or aircraft will be lawfully disposed of.

(2) After inspecting relevant documents and conducting any necessary search of an incoming vessel or aircraft, and if satisfied –

(a) that the vessel or aircraft does not have on board any regulated article that might pose a biosecurity threat to Solomon Islands; and

(b) that the prescribed fee, if any, has been paid,

a biosecurity officer may grant biosecurity landing clearance to the vessel or aircraft.

(3) Biosecurity landing clearance means that a vessel or aircraft may land crew members and any cargo or passengers on board, but the crew and any cargo or passengers remain subject to biosecurity control under this Act.

(4) Biosecurity landing clearance must be refused if a biosecurity officer orders the vessel or aircraft into port quarantine pursuant to section 16(3).

(5) A master or captain who contravenes a provision of subsection (1) commits an offence.

(6) A master or captain who lands any crew, cargo or passengers from a vessel or aircraft without biosecurity landing clearance of a biosecurity officer, commits an offence.

(7) A crew member or passenger who lands from a vessel or aircraft before it has received bioecurity landing clearance, except with the permission of a biosecurity officer, commits an offence.

(8) Biosecurity landing clearance of a vessel or aircraft may be granted with or without conditions on entry into a bond to the Government, in the form specified or approved by the Director, by the master of the vessel or captain of the aircraft, for compliance with any requirements imposed pursuant to this Act in respect of the vessel or aircraft or cargo. 

Biosecurity port quarantine of vessels and aircraft

16. (1) The Minister may, by order in the Gazette, designate –

(a) any territorial waters or any part of a seaport as a biosecurity port quarantine area for vessels; or 

(b) any part of an airport as a biosecurity port quarantine area for aircraft. 

(2) Before making an order under subsection (1) the Minister must obtain the advice of the Director and consult, as the case may be, the officers or authorities responsible for the movement of vessels and aircraft in Solomon Islands.

(3) If a biosecurity officer reasonably suspects that an incoming vessel or aircraft is –

(a) infected or infested with a regulated pest or disease; or

(b) carrying any regulated article which might pose a biosecurity threat to Solomon Islands,

the officer may order the vessel or aircraft into biosecurity port quarantine.

(4) If a vessel or aircraft is ordered into biosecurity port quarantine under subsection (3), a biosecurity officer may –

(a) order the master or captain to remove the vessel or aircraft to quarantine in a biosecurity port quarantine area; or

(b) if necessary (because the master or captain refuses to obey the order, or because of the nature of the biosecurity threat) arrange for the vessel or aircraft to be removed to the biosecurity port quarantine area.

(5) The cost of removal of a vessel or aircraft to biosecurity port quarantine is to be borne by the owner or charterer, and no compensation is payable for any loss or destruction or consequential loss caused as a result of any such removal, unless negligence or malice is proved.

(6) The owner or charterer and master or captain must each be given written notice stating the reasons for an order under this section in respect of the vessel or aircraft and, if it was removed under subsection (4), the whereabouts of the vessel or aircraft.

(7) If the Director reasonably believes that a vessel or aircraft poses a serious biosecurity threat to Solomon Islands which cannot adequately be dealt with by appropriate biosecurity measures, the Director may in writing direct the vessel or aircraft to leave the waters of Solomon Islands.

(8) Before issuing a direction under this section, the Director must consult, as the case may be, with the officers or authorities responsible for the movement of vessels or aircraft in Solomon Islands.

Management of biosecurity port quarantine areas

17. (1) No person, other than the person in charge of the area or a biosecurity officer acting in the course of duty, may enter a biosecurity port quarantine area without the written permission of the Director or of the person in charge of the area.

(2) A person commits an offence if the person –

(a) enters a biosecurity port quarantine area without permission; or

(b) damages, interferes with or in any way reduces the effectiveness of measures taken to secure a biosecurity port quarantine area, or any regulated article or other item in the area.

(3) The Director may issue written instructions to the person in charge of a biosecurity port quarantine area as to the management of the area.

(4) A biosecurity officer may affix a notice at any biosecurity port quarantine area, and on any vessel or aircraft held in the area, stating the conditions and duration of quarantine and other information relating to the area or the item as specified by the Director.

(5) A person who removes a notice affixed under subsection (4) without lawful authority commits an offence.

Conduct of vessels and aircraft in biosecurity port quarantine

18. (1) The Director may give written directions to the master of a vessel or captain of an aircraft in biosecurity port quarantine –

(a) as to the movement of the vessel or aircraft while it is in quarantine;

(b) as to the movement of passengers, crew and cargo while the vessel or aircraft is in quarantine; and

(c) as to any treatment or other biosecurity measure that must be applied to the vessel or aircraft.

(2) The cost of keeping a vessel or aircraft in biosecurity port quarantine, and of any treatment or other measures that must be applied to it, is to be borne by the owner or charterer.

(3) No compensation is payable for any loss or destruction or consequential loss caused by a vessel or aircraft being detained in quarantine, unless negligence or malice is proved.

(4) A master or captain who fails to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the vessel or aircraft and its cargo, crew and passengers conform to directions given under subsection (1) commits an offence.

Biosecurity port quarantine clearance of vessels and aircraft

19. (1) If satisfied –

(a) that a vessel or aircraft in biosecurity port quarantine is substantially free from regulated pests and diseases;

(b) that any potential biosecurity risk from ship's stores and other regulated articles on the vessel or aircraft is suitably contained; and

(c) that the prescribed fee, if any, has been paid,

a biosecurity officer may grant biosecurity port quarantine clearance for the vessel or aircraft to unload passengers and cargo.

(2) Biosecurity port quarantine clearance of a vessel or aircraft may be granted unconditionally, or conditioned on entry into a bond to the Government, in the form specified or approved by the Director, by the master of the vessel or captain of the aircraft, for compliance with any requirements imposed pursuant to this Act in respect of the vessel or aircraft or cargo.

(3) Biosecurity port quarantine clearance of a vessel or aircraft has the same effect as biosecurity landing clearance granted under section 15.

Outgoing vessels and aircraft

20. (1) If a biosecurity officer has reason to believe that there is on board an outgoing vessel or aircraft any regulated article that requires biosecurity export clearance and that has not been cleared, the officer may –

(a) board and search the vessel or aircraft in accordance with section 47(1);

(b) request the master or captain to produce for inspection the cargo manifest, bill of lading, stores list, passenger list, crew list and any other document that is on or in and relates to the vessel or aircraft and that the officer reasonably requires for the purposes of this Act; 

(c) direct the master or captain not to move the vessel or aircraft unless permitted by the officer, and then only as directed by the officer;

(d) direct the vessel or aircraft to be subjected to any treatment or other biosecurity measure that is prescribed or specified; and

(e) give to the master or captain any other lawful direction that is reasonably required to protect the destination country from a biosecurity threat posed by the vessel or aircraft.

(2) A master or captain commits an offence if the master or captain –

(a) refuses to permit a search pursuant to subsection (1)(a); or

(b) fails to comply with a request or direction given under subsection (1)(b) to (e).

Environmental obligations of masters and captains

21. (1) The master of every incoming vessel must, while the vessel is in Solomon Islands –

(a) take all necessary steps to prevent any animal on board the vessel from making contact with any animal on shore unless permitted by a biosecurity officer, and then only as directed by the officer; and 

(b) seal all hatches and holds and enclosed cargo areas during the hours of darkness, except as needed for the working of the vessel or its cargo.

(2) The master of every incoming vessel must take all reasonable steps to ensure that –

(a) no garbage containing any animal, plant, animal product or plant product; 

(b) no bilge water or ballast water; and 

(c) no sewage or foul wastewater, 

is discharged from the vessel into the sea while the vessel is in Solomon Islands. 

(3) The master of every incoming vessel and captain of every incoming aircraft must, while the vessel or aircraft is in Solomon Islands, take all reasonable steps to ensure that –

(a) all garbage generated on the vessel or aircraft is placed in a suitable leak-proof container, with a lid, and the container is securely fastened at all times and kept within the vessel or aircraft; and 

(b) garbage is not disposed of in the sea, and is only removed from the vessel or aircraft under and in accordance with the directions of a biosecurity officer. 

(4) The master of every incoming vessel and captain of every incoming aircraft must take all reasonable steps to ensure that no ship's stores are removed from the vessel or aircraft while it is in Solomon Islands, except under and in accordance with the directions of a biosecurity officer.

(5) A biosecurity officer may lock or seal the stores (or require the stores to be locked or sealed by the master) of any incoming vessel or aircraft while it is in Solomon Islands. 

(6) The cost of disposal of garbage under this section is to be borne by the owner or charterer of the vessel or aircraft.

(7) A master who contravenes subsection (1)(b), fails to take all reasonable steps as required by subsection (1)(a), (2), (3), (4) or (5) or fails to obey a direction of a biosecurity officer given under any of those subsections commits an offence.

(8) A captain who fails to take all reasonable steps as required by subsection (3) or (4) or fails to obey a direction of a biosecurity officer given under either of those subsections commits an offence.

(9) An incoming vessel must comply with any de-ratting requirements prescribed by regulations.

Passengers and crew members

22. (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), every passenger or crew member who arrives in Solomon Islands on board a vessel or aircraft must make to a biosecurity officer a passenger arrival biosecurity declaration.

(2) The passenger arrival biosecurity declaration must be in the form specified or approved by the Director and contain all required particulars relating to the person and any baggage that accompanies the person.

(3) A passenger or crew member does not need to declare –

(a) articles of clothing worn on the body;

(b) articles visibly attached or connected to the body or clothing; or 

(c) suitcases and other visible containers of personal baggage, 

unless a biosecurity officer so requests because of the biosecurity risk posed by the item, and in the absence of any such request, the article or container is deemed to have biosecurity entry clearance.

(4) A single declaration under subsection (1) may be made by a person in respect of the person and the person's spouse and any member of the family aged 16 years or less travelling on the same vessel or aircraft. 

(5) When a declaration is tendered under this section, a biosecurity officer may -

(a) question the passenger or crew member; 

(b) inspect the baggage to which it relates; or 

(c) if necessary, question a spouse or family member included on the declaration. 

(6) After taking the steps in subsection (5), a biosecurity officer may either grant biosecurity entry clearance of the persons and baggage to which the declaration relates, or –

(a) detain the passenger or crew member for further questioning and search; and

(b) detain the baggage and other articles in the possession of the passenger or crew member for further inspection and application of other biosecurity measures as the officer considers appropriate. 

(7) An arriving passenger or crew member commits an offence if the passenger or crew member –

(a) fails to make a declaration as required by subsection (1); or 

(b) fails to submit baggage for inspection when so directed under subsection (5). 

(8) Every passenger or crew member departing from Solomon Islands must –

(a) submit for inspection on request by a biosecurity officer any regulated article on the person or in the person's baggage; 

(b) permit the officer to search the person's baggage. 

(9) A departing passenger or crew member who fails to comply with subsection (8) commits an offence. 

(10) Section 57 applies to the questioning, detention and searching of persons and baggage under this section. 

PART 4—BIOSECURITY IMPORT PROCEDURES

Biosecutiry entry inspection of incoming articles 

23. (1) Every incoming article or consignment of articles is liable to biosecurity entry inspection by a biosecurity officer at the biosecurity point of entry to ascertain whether it is or includes a regulated article.

(2) If an importer of goods fails to make the goods available for biosecurity entry inspection at the biosecurity point of entry at the request of a biosecurity officer –

(a) the importer commits an offence; and 

(b) the goods may be re-consigned or destroyed as if they were a regulated article for which biosecurity entry clearance had been refused. 

(3) If, after inspecting an incoming article or consignment, a biosecurity officer is satisfied –

(a) that it is or includes a regulated article, the provisions of this Part apply to it; or 

(b) that it is not or does not include a regulated article, the article or consignment may be released from the biosecurity point of entry upon payment of the prescribed fee, if any. 

(4) If an incoming article or consignment is not inspected under this section, a biosecurity officer is deemed to be satisfied that it is not or does not include a regulated article, and subsection (3)(b) applies to it. 

(5) Section 49 applies to an inspection under this section. 

(6) Subject to section 101, the actual or deemed opinion of a biosecurity officer under this section as to whether an article or consignment is or includes a regulated article is conclusive for the purposes of this Act. 

(7) This section does not apply in respect of baggage accompanying passengers or crew members, but section 22 applies to such baggage. 

Biosecurity import clearance of regulated articles 

24. (1) Every incoming article or consignment of regulated articles –

(a) is liable to biosecurity import clearance inspection by a biosecurity officer; and

(b) for that purpose must be taken to or retained in a biosecurity holding area for inspection.

(2) An application for biosecurity import clearance of a regulated article or consignment must –

(a) be made to a biosecurity officer in the manner specified or approved by the Director;

(b) be accompanied by the prescribed fee, if any; 

(c) state the country of origin of the article or consignment; 

(d) state the nature and quantity of the article or consignment; 

(e) attach any sanitary or phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of origin in relation to the article or consignment; 

(f) attach any biosecurity import permit relating to the document; and 

(g) attach documentation relating to any other biosecurity measures specified under section 26(1) in relation to the article or consignment. 

(3) The importer of a regulated article or consignment must on the request of a biosecurity officer –

(a) if the article or consignment is in a container, open the container or enable the officer to do so; 

(b) allow the officer to inspect the article or consignment in accordance with section 49; 

(c) allow the officer to take samples and conduct tests in accordance with Part 7 to enable the officer to determine whether biosecurity import clearance should be granted; and 

(d) if the article or consignment requires biosecurity measures to be applied to it, submit the article or consignment to such measures. 

(4) The cost of taking an article to a biosecurity holding area, and of keeping it there, is to be borne by the importer of the article, and no compensation is payable for any loss or destruction or consequential loss caused as a result of the taking or keeping, unless negligence or malice is proved. 

(5) If the importer of a regulated article or consignment fails to comply with any of the requirements of subsection (3) –

(a) the person commits an offence; and 

(b) a biosecurity officer may refuse to grant import clearance for the article or consignment, and may order the article or consignment to be re-consigned or destroyed. 

(6) This section does not apply to passengers or crew members, but section 22 applies to such persons. 

Grant and refusal of biosecurity import clearance 

25. (1) Before granting biosecurity import clearance of an article or consignment, a biosecurity officer must be satisfied that the article meets the biosecurity import requirements in relation to it, that is to say –

(a) if a biosecurity import permit is required, it has been obtained in respect of the article or consignment and the conditions of the permit have been complied with; 

(b) if a sanitary or phytosanitary certificate is required for an article, the relevant certificate has been issued by the country of origin, and any requirement in it complied with; or 

(c) if any other biosecurity measures are specified under section 26(1)(c), they have been applied to or in respect of the article or consignment. 

(2) If satisfied in respect of an article or consignment –

(a) of the matters mentioned in subsection (1); and 

(b) that all prescribed fees and charges relating to the article or consignment have been paid,

a biosecurity officer must grant biosecurity import clearance for the article or consignment. 

(3) If the biosecurity risk presented by an incoming regulated article or consignment so requires, a biosecurity officer may refuse to grant biosecurity import clearance for the article or consignment, or may require additional biosecurity measures to be applied to it, even if the article or consignment meets the biosecurity import specifications in relation to it.

(4) Biosecurity import clearance may be made conditional on the article performing biosecurity quarantine if –

(a) quarantine is a biosecurity import requirement for the article; or 

(b) during biosecurity entry inspection or biosecurity import clearance inspection the article is found to be, or is suspected to be, infested, infected or contaminated. 

(5) Biosecurity import clearance must be refused for an incoming article which is a prohibited import.

(6) A biosecurity officer may cause any incoming article or consignment in respect of which biosecurity import clearance is refused to be re-consigned or destroyed, but the importer must be given reasonable time to make arrangements for re-consignment of the article or consignment before it is destroyed. 

(7) No compensation is payable in respect of a refusal in good faith to grant biosecurity import clearance under this section. 

Biosecurity import specifications

26. (1) The Director may specify in respect of incoming regulated articles –

(a) whether a sanitary or phytosanitary certificate from the biosecurity authority in the country of origin is required for an article and if so the matters that must be certified; 

(b) whether a biosecurity import permit must be obtained for the article and if so the conditions to be attached to the permit; or 

(c) what biosecurity measures, if any, must be applied to the article on arrival in Solomon Islands before biosecurity import clearance can be granted. 

(2) Specifications under subsection (1) –

(a) may be different for different types and quantities of the regulated article; 

(b) may be by reference to the country or area of origin of the article; and 

(c) must only be those reasonably necessary to reduce or eliminate the biosecurity risk to Solomon Islands presented by the article. 

(3) In determining specifications under subsection (1), the Director –

(a) must make a biosecurity risk assessment; 

(b) must have regard to the requirements of the SPS Agreement and other international standards relating to biosecurity matters; 

(c) must have regard to the resources available for biosecurity control; and 

(d) may apply the precautionary principle. 

(4) The biosecurity risk assessment needed for making a specification under this section –

(a) may be performed by any qualified person (other than the importer) at the request of the Director; or 

(b) is performed at the importer's expense.

(5) Specifications made under subsection (1) in respect of an article may be changed at any time before biosecurity import clearance is obtained in respect of the article if the biosecurity risk presented by the article or consignment changes. 

(6) Notice of a change in an import specification in respect of an article should be given to intending importers as soon as practicable but no liability arises from a failure to do so.

(7) Before making or changing a specification under this section, the Director must obtain the advice of relevant technical section heads.

(8) Specifications made under this section must be –

(a) published in the biosecurity register and at the office of the Director; and

(b) made available to the public for inspection or purchase.

Biosecurity access arrangements

27. (1) A person proposing to import a regulated article of a type that is not the subject of a biosecurity import specification must apply in writing to the Director for a specification under section 26 in respect of the article. 

(2) An application under subsection (1) in respect of an article must –

(a) be made in sufficient time before the intended importation; and 

(b) give adequate information about the biosecurity procedures of the country of origin, the nature of the article and the proposed importation, 

to enable the Director to make a biosecurity risk assessment in relation to the article. 

(3) Upon receipt of an application under subsection (1), and on payment of the prescribed fee, if any, the Director must as soon as practicable, unless the article is or becomes a prohibited import under section 9, make a specification in respect of it in accordance with section 26. 

(4) Section 26(2), (3) and (4) apply to the making of a specification under this section.

Application for a biosecurity import permit

28. (1) If a biosecurity import permit is required under section 26(1) in respect of a regulated article or consignment, an application for a permit must –

(a) be made before the article or consignment leaves the country of origin or, in the case of re-exported goods, the re-exporting country;

(b) be made to the Director in the manner specified or approved by the Director; and 

(c) be accompanied by the prescribed fee, if any.

(2) An application for a biosecurity import permit must –

(a) include evidence of the country of origin of holder of the regulated article or consignment; 

(b) state the nature and amount of the article or consignment; 

(c) state the expected date of arrival in Solomon Islands; and 

(d) give any other information the Director reasonably requires to enable the Director to make a biosecurity risk assessment. 

(3) A decision on an application for a biosecurity import permit must be communicated to the applicant as soon as reasonably practicable after the application is received duly completed. 

(4) If the decision is to refuse the permit, the applicant must be notified in writing, with brief reasons.

Issue of a biosecurity import permit

29. (1) If satisfied of the matters set out in section 28(1) and (2), and on payment of the prescribed fee, if any, the Director, or a biosecurity officer, must as soon as practicable issue a biosecurity import permit.

(2) The form of a biosecurity import permit is as specified or approved by the Director. 

(3) A biosecurity import permit may –

(a) be general or specific; 

(b) relate to a single article or to a consignment of articles; or 

(c) be different for different types of regulated article and relate to different countries of origin. 

(4) A general permit covers all imports of a type specified in the permit, or from an area specified in the permit, and may cover continuing imports over a period specified in the permit.

(5) A specific permit covers a single article or consignment and may specify an expiry date.

Revocation of a biosecurity import permit

30. (1) The Director may at any time, on written notice to the holder of a biosecurity import permit, revoke the permit, or vary the conditions of the permit, if a change in the biosecurity risk to Solomon Islands presented by the article or consignment to which the permit relates so requires. 

(2) Biosecurity import clearance must be refused for an article or consignment in respect of which a biosecurity import permit is revoked, but section 26(5) applies to a revocation as it does to the change of a biosecurity specification. 

(3) When a biosecurity import permit is revoked, the holder of the permit must surrender it to a biosecurity officer as soon as practicable. 

(4) A person who contravenes subsection (3) commits an offence. 

(5) No compensation is payable in respect of the revocation in good faith of a permit under this section. 

Exemption from biosecurity import requirements

31. (1) The Director may in writing exempt any regulated article, class of regulated articles or consignment of regulated articles –

(a) from any or all of the biosecurity import specifications that would otherwise apply to the article or class of articles; or 

(b) from a requirement for a biosecurity import permit that would otherwise apply to the article or consignment. 

(2) Unless specified by the Director, an exemption under subsection (1) applies only to a single importation.

(3) An exemption under subsection (1) may specify the conditions on which the article, class of articles or consignment is exempt. If the conditions are not met the exemption ceases to apply.

(4) The Director may only grant an exemption under subsection (1) upon receipt of advice from relevant technical section heads, and if satisfied that the biosecurity risk to Solomon Islands is not increased as a result. 

(5) A request for exemption under this section must be –

(a) made in writing to the Director; 

(b) accompanied by the prescribed fee, if any, and the specified documents; and 

(c) made in sufficient time to allow the Director to give due consideration to the request.

(6) Articles exempted from biosecurity import specifications or the requirement for an import permit under this section are not exempt from the requirement for biosecurity import clearance.

Articles and passengers in transit

32. (1) Regulated articles in transit are liable to biosecurity import control, and require biosecurity import clearance at a biosecurity holding area. 

(2) The Director or a biosecurity officer may in writing waive any requirement for a sanitary or phytosanitary certificate or biosecurity import permit that would otherwise apply to articles in transit.

(3) If a waiver is granted under subsection (2), the Director or officer may attach conditions to the waiver. 

(4) A person commits an offence if the person –

(a) deals with articles to which this section applies other than by way of transit; or 

(b) contravenes a condition specified under subsection (3) in relation to them.

(5) A request for a waiver under this section must be –

(a) made in writing to the Director; 

(b) accompanied by the prescribed fee, if any, and the specified documents; and 

(c) made in sufficient time to allow the Director or a biosecurity officer to give due consideration to the request. 

(6) In the case of regulated articles which accompany a crew member or passenger in transit –

(a) subsection (5) is deemed to have been complied with if the passenger or crew member complies with other requirements for regulated articles in transit; or 

(b) the requirement in subsection (2) for a waiver to be in writing does not apply. 

(7) A biosecurity officer may at any time inspect an article in transit if the officer reasonably suspects the article might pose a biosecurity threat to Solomon Islands or a receiving country. 

(8) A person in charge of an article in transit who refuses to comply with a request for inspection under subsection (7) commits an offence. 

PART 5—BIOSECURITY EXPORT PROCEDURES

Biosecurity export inspection of outgoing articles

33. (1) Every outgoing regulated article or consignment of regulated articles is liable to biosecurity export inspection at the biosecurity point of departure to enable a biosecurity officer –

(a) to ascertain whether it is or includes an article that requires biosecurity export clearance pursuant to section 34; and 

(b) if so, to decide whether to grant export clearance under section 38. 

(2) An exporter of goods who fails to make the goods available for biosecurity export inspection at the biosecurity point of departure at the request of a biosecurity officer commits an offence. 

(3) A biosecurity officer may only request to inspect an outgoing article or consignment if the officer has reasonable cause to suspect that it is or includes a regulated article that requires biosecurity export clearance pursuant to section 34.

(4) If, after inspecting an outgoing article or consignment under this section, a biosecurity officer is satisfied –

(a) that it is or includes an article that requires biosecurity export clearance - the provisions of this Part apply to it; or 

(b) that it is not or does not include such an article - the article or consignment may be released from the biosecurity point of departure upon payment of the prescribed fee, if any. 

(5) Section 49 applies to an inspection under this section.

(6) This section does not apply in respect of baggage accompanying passengers or crew members.

Requirement for biosecurity export clearance

34. (1) An article intended for export to a receiving country that requires –

(a) a sanitary or phytosanitary certificate for importation into that country; or 

(b) any biosecurity measures to be applied to it under section 36(2) before being exported to that country,

must have biosecurity export clearance for export to that country.

(2) A person who exports or attempts to export an article or consignment that requires biosecurity export clearance without such clearance commits an offence.

Issue of sanitary and phytosanitary certificates

35. (1) A person who wishes to obtain a sanitary or phytosanitary certificate or a certificate of origin in respect of an article in order to comply with the biosecurity certification requirements of the receiving country must –

(a) apply to the Director in writing; 

(b) pay the prescribed fee, if any; and 

(c) submit the article for inspection or other biosecurity measures as required by the receiving country. 

(2) Upon receipt of an application under subsection (1), the Director must –

(a) ascertain the biosecurity certification requirements of the receiving country, through the applicant or directly from the country; 

(b) perform appropriate inspection and apply appropriate biosecurity measures to the article as required by the receiving country; and 

(c) if satisfied that the biosecurity certification requirements of the receiving country have been met, issue the appropriate certificate upon payment of the prescribed fee. 

(3) A biosecurity certification requirement entered in the biosecurity register –

(a) if certified by or on behalf of the Director, is conclusive evidence of the requirement for purposes of this Act; but 

(b) does not create any liability on the Government or the Director if relied on by an exporter to the exporter's detriment. 

Biosecurity export specifications

36. (1) The Director may specify in respect of outgoing animals or plants, or their products, any biosecurity measures, in addition to biosecurity certification requirements of the receiving country, that must be applied to the animal, plant or product before export.

(2) Specifications under subsection (1) may only be made if required by an international agreement to which Solomon Islands and the receiving country are party in respect of the movement of animals, plants or animal or plant products, and must conform to any such agreement.

(3) Specifications under subsection (1) in respect of an animal or animal product may be changed at any time before biosecurity export clearance is granted, if there is a change in the relevant international obligations relating to the animal or animal product, and section 26(6) applies to any such change.

(4) Before making or changing a specification under this section, the Director must obtain the advice of relevant technical section heads.

(5) Specifications made under this section must be –

(a) published in the biosecurity register and at the office of the Director; and 

(b) made available to the public for inspection or purchase. 

Application for biosecurity export clearance

37. (1) An application for biosecurity export clearance of an article or consignment must be made to a biosecurity officer in the manner specified or approved by the Director and be accompanied by the prescribed clearance fee, if any.

(2) An application for biosecurity export clearance for a regulated article or consignment must –

(a) be made before the regulated article or consignment arrives at a biosecurity point of departure; and 

(b) allow sufficient time for processing of the application. 

(3) An application for biosecurity export clearance for an article or consignment must –

(a) specify the receiving country; 

(b) specify the nature and quantity of the article or consignment; 

(c) attach any sanitary or phytosanitary certificate issued under section 35(2) in relation to the article or consignment; and 

(d) attach documentation relating to any other biosecurity measures required under section 36(1) in relation to animals or plants or animal or plant products. 

(4) If the article or consignment requires biosecurity measures to be applied to it, the person seeking to export it must submit the article or consignment to such measures, failing which biosecurity export clearance will not be granted.

(5) If a person seeking to export an article or consignment fails to comply with any of the requirements of this section, a biosecurity officer may refuse to grant biosecurity export clearance for the article or consignment.

(6) This section does not apply to passengers or crew members, but section 22 applies to such persons. 

Grant of biosecurity export clearance

38. (1) Before granting biosecurity export clearance in respect of an article or consignment, a biosecurity officer must be satisfied –

(a) that the biosecurity certification requirements of the receiving country have been complied with; 

(b) that any biosecurity measures specified under section 36(1) in respect of an animal or animal product have been applied; and 

(c) that the prescribed fee, if any, has been paid. 

(2) If an outgoing article that requires biosecurity export clearance is found to be infected, infested or contaminated by a regulated pest or disease, biosecurity clearance will be refused in respect of it.

(3) A decision on an application for biosecurity export clearance must be communicated to the applicant as soon as reasonably practicable after the application is received duly completed.

(4) If the decision is to refuse clearance, the applicant must be notified in writing, with brief reasons. 

(5) If a biosecurity officer considers it necessary to inspect any outgoing article or consignment for the purposes of this section, section 49 applies. 

PART 6—BIOSECURITY QUARANTINE

Biosecurity quarantine of regulated articles

39. (1) A biosecurity officer may, by notice in writing to the importer, order into biosecurity quarantine any incoming regulated article if –

(a) the article is a prohibited import and must therefore be re-consigned or destroyed; 

(b) quarantine is a biosecurity import requirement for the article; or 

(c) during biosecurity entry inspection or biosecurity import clearance inspection the article is found to be, or is suspected to be, infested, infected or contaminated. 

(2) If an article is ordered into biosecurity quarantine under this section, a biosecurity officer may –

(a) in writing direct the importer to remove the article to a specified biosecurity quarantine station; or 

(b) if necessary (because the importer, exporter, owner or custodian refuses to obey the direction, or because of the nature of the biosecurity threat) arrange for the article to be removed to a biosecurity quarantine station. 

(3) An importer who refuses to remove an article to biosecurity quarantine as directed under this section commits an offence. 

(4) The cost of removal of an article to biosecurity quarantine is to be borne by the importer of the article, and no compensation is payable for any loss or destruction or consequential loss caused as a result of any such removal, unless negligence or malice is proved.

(5) If an article is quarantined under this section, the importer must be given written notice stating the reasons for the quarantine and, if it was removed under subsection (2)(b), the location of the article. 

Biosecurity quarantine stations

40. (1) The Minister, on the advice of the Director, and after consulting other relevant Ministries, may by order in the Gazette, designate any public or private land as a biosecurity quarantine station for animals, animal products, plants, plant products, conveyances, containers or other goods for the purposes of this Act. 

(2) Before designating any private land as a biosecurity quarantine station, the Minister, through the Director, must consult the owner, and must pay compensation as agreed or as determined by a court for use of the land as a quarantine station. 

(3) The Permanent Secretary must, upon the advice of the Director, ensure that every biosecurity quarantine station is provided with such buildings and facilities as are reasonably needed –

(a) to hold regulated articles in biosecurity quarantine; 

(b) to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the station or removing items from the station; and 

(c) to enable the Director to perform tests, provide treatment and apply other biosecurity measures as required by or under this Act. 

Conditions of biosecurity quarantine

41. (1) The Director may issue specifications as to –

(a) the examination, treatment, disposal or destruction of articles while in a biosecurity quarantine station or in transit to or from a quarantine station; or 

(b) the period for which different types of regulated articles must remain in a biosecurity quarantine station.

(2) The fees or charges payable for keeping items in biosecurity quarantine are as prescribed or specified.

(3) The cost of keeping an article in biosecurity quarantine is to be borne by the importer of the article. 

(4) No compensation is payable for any loss or destruction or consequential loss caused by an item being detained in biosecurity quarantine, unless negligence or malice is proved. 

Management of biosecurity quarantine stations

42. (1) No person, other than the person in charge of the station or a biosecurity officer acting in the course of duty, may enter a biosecurity quarantine station without the written permission of the Director or of the person in charge of the station.

(2) A biosecurity officer may, in order to reduce a biosecurity threat, lock, seal or otherwise prevent entry to and exit from a biosecurity quarantine station or any building in it, regardless of the ownership of the station.

(3) A person commits an offence if the person –

(a) enters a biosecurity quarantine station without permission pursuant to subsection (1); or 

(b) damages, interferes with or in any way reduces the effectiveness of measures taken to secure a biosecurity quarantine station, or any regulated article or other item in the station. 

(4) The Director may issue written instructions to the person in charge of a biosecurity quarantine station as to the management of the station. 

Release from biosecurity quarantine

43. (1) A conveyance, container or article must not be released from biosecurity quarantine except upon the directions of a biosecurity quarantine release certificate issued by a biosecurity officer.

(2) Before an article can be released from biosecurity quarantine –

(a) any treatment required as a condition of importation of the article must have been applied; and 

(b) all quarantine fees must have been paid. 

(3) Once subsection (2) has been complied with, the conveyance, container or article must be released from biosecurity quarantine as soon as practicable and a biosecurity release certificate issued. 

(4) A person who releases an article from a biosecurity quarantine station contrary to subsection (1) commits an offence. 

Biosecurity quarantine notices

44. (1) A biosecurity officer may affix a notice on any biosecurity quarantine station, and on any conveyance, container or article held in biosecurity quarantine, stating the conditions and duration of quarantine and other information relating to the station or the item as specified by the Director.

(2) A person who removes a notice affixed under subsection (1) without lawful authority commits an offence.

No plant or animal to be at large

45. (1) No person may liberate or cause to be liberated from a biosecurity quarantine station, biosecurity port quarantine area, or biosecurity holding area or let go at large in Solomon Islands any animal, plant or organism which is subject to biosecurity control under this Act.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) is not entitled to any compensation for loss of or damage to the animal, plant or organism occasioned by its being recaptured and confined or if necessary destroyed in accordance with Parts 7 and 8. 

(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and, in addition to the prescribed maximum penalty, is liable to the cost of recapturing and confining or if necessary destroying the animal, plant or organism. 

PART 7—POWERS OF BIOSECURITY OFFICERS

General rules as to exercise of powers

46. (1) The powers conferred by this Act on biosecurity officers may be exercised only for the purpose of ascertaining whether there is a biosecurity risk presented by a conveyance, container or item and eliminating or reducing the risk to an acceptable extent.

(2) A reference in this Act to a biosecurity officer, when exercising powers, means a duly authorised biosecurity officer acting in the performance of his or her duties. 

(3) A biosecurity officer may use only such force as is reasonably necessary when exercising a power under this Act. If necessary, the officer should obtain the assistance of a police officer to effect an arrest or enter premises. 

(4) Before exercising a power to enter and search premises, to search a conveyance or container or to inspect or test any article, a biosecurity officer must, if practical, request the assistance of the person in control of the premises, conveyance, container or article. 

(5) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, a biosecurity officer may exercise a power under this Act without a warrant or other order of a magistrate, provided the action is taken in good faith for the purposes of this Act to prevent an imminent biosecurity risk. 

(6) A biosecurity officer exercising powers under this Part must produce for inspection his or her identification as an officer, upon request by the person in charge of the conveyance, premises or area, or the importer, exporter owner or custodian of the item, in respect of which the power is being excercised.

(7) Before exercising a power in a situation that involves shipping, civil aviation, human health, the environment or any other activity governed by another Act, a biosecurity officer must if practicable consult the officer or authority responsible under that Act for that activity. 

(8) The powers conferred on biosecurity officers by or under this Act must be exercised subject to –

(a) any regulations made by the Minister under this Act in respect of those powers;

(b) any biosecurity specifications made in respect of regulated articles; 

(c) any written directions of the Director given under section 77; and 

(d) the provisions of –

(i) the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations relating to the premises of a diplomatic mission, diplomatic bags and the personal baggage of diplomatic agents; and 

(ii) the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations relating to consular premises, archives and documents. 

Entry, search and seizure

47. (1) A biosecurity officer may –

(a) search an incoming vessel or aircraft at a biosecurity port holding area to ascertain whether the vessel or aircraft has on board any regulated article that might pose a biosecurity threat to Solomon Islands; 

(b) search an outgoing vessel or aircraft if the officer has reason to believe there are on board any uncleared articles that require export clearance; 

(c) at any time enter and search any premises, building or area, including a biosecurity holding area, biosecurity quarantine station or biosecurity approved premises and land adjacent to a dwelling house, but not a dwelling house, in order to ascertain the presence of uncleared regulated articles that have not received biosecurity import clearance; 

(d) at any time with the consent of the owner, enter and search a dwelling house for purposes of this Act; and 

(e) at any time, on a warrant issued under subsection (2), enter and search a dwelling house for uncleared regulated articles that the officer reasonably suspects to be in it. 

(2) If a Magistrate is satisfied on sworn statement by a biosecurity officer that –

(a) there may be in a dwelling house uncleared regulated articles; and 

(b) the consent of the owner or occupier to entry and search of the dwelling house cannot be obtained, 

the magistrate may issue a warrant authorising the officer to enter and search the dwelling house for uncleared regulated articles. 

(3) A biosecurity officer may at any time enter and search any store, warehouse, silo, pen or similar premises, or any conveyance, in which regulated articles intended for importation to or exportation from Solomon Islands are kept. 

(4) A person who keeps regulated articles in or on any premises, or in a conveyance, prior to importation or exportation of them must make the premises or conveyance available for inspection by a biosecurity officer upon request at any reasonable time. 

(5) Subsections (1), (3) and (4) apply to premises and conveyances outside Solomon Islands in respect of articles intended for importation to Solomon Islands.

(6) A person who contravenes subsection (4) commits an offence.

(7) During a search of premises or a conveyance under this section a biosecurity officer may seize anything which –

(a) is an uncleared regulated article; or 

(b) may be used as evidence of the commission of an offence under this Act. 

(8) A biosecurity officer who seizes anything from a person under subsection (7) must –

(a) inform the person of the reason for the seizure; 

(b) give the person a receipt for the thing seized; and 

(c) remove the thing to a place of safekeeping and deal with it in accordance with this Act. 

(9) A biosecurity officer may, at the expense of the importer, submit to appropriate biosecurity measures any regulated article seized pursuant to this section.

Inspection of documents 

48. (1) A biosecurity officer may –

(a) call for and inspect documents on or in incoming or outgoing vessels and aircraft as provided in sections 15 and 20 respectively; 

(b) open and inspect at a biosecurity point of entry any incoming document, including mail, in order to ascertain whether the document contains or relates to a regulated article; 

(c) open and inspect at a biosecurity point of departure any outgoing document, including mail, if the officer reasonably suspects that the document contains or relates to –

(i) an uncleared regulated article that requires biosecurity export clearance; or 

(ii) a regulated article that could pose a serious biosecurity threat to the country of destination of the document. 

(2) The powers relating to mail in subsection (1)(b) and (c) must only be exercised in respect of personal letters if the officer reasonably suspects that a letter contains or relates to a biosecurity threat.

Inspection of articles

49. (1) A biosecurity officer may at a biosecurity holding area inspect any incoming regulated article, and any conveyance, container or baggage in which the article is carried, in order to assess the biosecurity risk presented by the article, conveyance, container or baggage.

(2) A biosecurity officer may at a biosecurity point of departure inspect any article, which requires biosecurity export clearance, in order to facilitate such clearance.

(3) The powers of inspection in subsections (1) and (2) are in addition to the powers of inspection in sections 23 and 33 and any other powers of inspection in or under this Act.

(4) For the purpose of exercising the powers of inspection under this Act, a biosecurity officer may request an importer or exporter to unpack and or break up a consignment, or to open a container, at the person's risk and expense. 

(5) If an importer or exporter refuses to comply with a request under subsection (4) –

(a) the person commits an offence; 

(b) the biosecurity officer may break up the consignment or open the container or cause it to be broken or opened; 

(c) the cost of action under paragraph (b) is a debt owing to the Government by the importer or exporter, as the case may be; and 

(d) no liability lies on the Government, the Director or any biosecurity officer and no compensation is payable, for the action of breaking up or opening, unless negligence or malice is proved. 

(6) When conducting an inspection under this Act, a biosecurity officer may seek access to, and take photographic, electronic or other copies of any evidence, information, records and things related to the regulated article or consignment that the officer reasonably requires in order to ensure compliance with this Act or to investigate a possible offence under it. 

(7) Inspection of articles in transit is governed by section 32(7).

Detention of articles

50. (1) If an incoming regulated article requires biosecurity measures to be taken in respect of it before biosecurity import clearance can be granted, a biosecurity officer may detain the article, and any conveyance, container or baggage in which the article is carried, for biosecurity measures to be taken.

(2) If an outgoing regulated article that requires biosecurity export clearance has not been cleared, a biosecurity officer may detain the article, and any conveyance, container or baggage in which the article is carried, until clearance or other disposition of the article under this Act. 

(3) An article detained under this section must be detained in a place specified by the officer, being a biosecurity holding area, biosecurity quarantine station or biosecurity approved premises. 

(4) If an article is to be detained under this section, a biosecurity officer may –

(a) direct the importer or exporter of the article to remove it to the specified place; and 

(b) if necessary (because the importer or exporter refuses to obey the direction, or because of the nature of the biosecurity threat), arrange for the article to be removed to the specified place. 

(5) If an article is detained under this section, a biosecurity officer must give to the importer or exporter a notice in writing stating the reasons for the detention and, if it was removed under subsection (4)(b), the specified place. 

(6) The cost of removal of an article to and its detention in a specified place is to be borne by the importer or exporter, and no compensation is payable for any loss or destruction or consequential loss caused as a result of any such removal or detention, unless negligence or malice is proved. 

(7) The charges for detention of an article under this section are as prescribed or specified. 

Taking of samples

51. (1) A biosecurity officer may, with the consent of the importer, owner or custodian, take samples from any of the following –

(a) any part of an incoming vessel or aircraft that has on board regulated articles; 

(b) any warehouse containing regulated articles intended for importation; 

(c) any consignment of incoming regulated articles, wherever located; 

(d) any incoming container, baggage or thing that the officer reasonably suspects to be or include a regulated article. 

(2) If an importer refuses consent under subsection (1), the biosecurity officer may require the person to provide appropriate samples. 

(3) An importer who refuses either to allow samples to be taken or to provide samples, when required to do so under this section, commits an offence. 

(4) A biosecurity officer may, with the consent of the person in charge of the article, take samples of any outgoing regulated article if the taking of a sample is necessary for the issue of a sanitary or phytosanitary certificate. 

(5) If the person in charge of a regulated article refuses consent under subsection (4), the biosecurity officer may require the person to provide a sample, failing which the sanitary or phytosanitary certificate will not be issued. 

(6) A biosecurity officer may request the importer or exporter of a consignment to unpack it or break it up to facilitate sampling, at the risk and expense of the importer or exporter. 

(7) When exercising powers under subsection (1) or (2), a biosecurity officer must give the importer or exporter a written notice, identifying the quantity of the sample and the place where the sample is to be analysed.

(8) In other respects, the procedure for taking and analysing samples, recording the results and disposing of the samples is as prescribed or specified. 

(9) If, in the course of sampling, goods are destroyed or damaged, without negligence or malice, no compensation is payable to the importer or exporter of the goods. 

(10) The importer or exporter of a regulated article from which samples are taken under subsection (1) must be notified in writing of the findings in respect of the samples as soon as reasonably practicable. 

(11) The charges for taking and analysis of samples under this section are as prescribed or specified. 

Testing of articles

52. (1) A biosecurity officer may test, or cause tests to be conducted on, any incoming regulated article, in order to ascertain whether the article meets the biosecurity import requirements in respect of it.

(2) Following a test of an incoming article, and on payment of the prescribed fee, if any, the article must be either released to the importer, and biosecurity import clearance granted in respect of it, or it must be treated in accordance with section 53 or re-consigned or destroyed.

(3) A biosecurity officer may test, or cause tests to be conducted on, any outgoing regulated article that requires biosecurity export clearance if such tests are a condition for importation into the receiving country.

(4) Following tests on an outgoing article, biosecurity export clearance must either be granted or refused in respect of the article.

(5) Section 50(3) to (6) apply to articles detained for testing under this section.

(6) The importer or exporter of a regulated article which is tested under subsection (1) or (3) must be notified in writing of the results of the test before the article is released or otherwise disposed of.

(7) If a test conducted under subsection (1) or (3) without negligence or malice destroys or damages an animal or other article being tested, no compensation is payable to the importer of the animal or other article.

(8) The charges for testing of an article under this section are as prescribed or specified.

Treatment of articles

53. (1) If an incoming regulated article requires treatment in order to meet the biosecurity import requirements in respect of it, the article must be treated before biosecurity import clearance is granted in respect of it. 

(2) If an incoming article is found to be infected, infested or contaminated by a regulated pest or disease, the article may be treated to reduce the biosecurity risk to an acceptable level, whether or not treatment is a specified requirement or a condition of an import permit. 

(3) Section 50(3) to (6) apply to articles detained for treatment under this section.

(4) Once treatment has been administered to the satisfaction of the biosecurity officer, and on payment of any applicable charges, the article must, subject to subsection (5), be released to the importer and biosecurity import clearance granted in respect of it.

(5) The cost of treatment is to be borne by the importer of the item, but the importer may instead opt to have the article re-consigned or destroyed.

(6) If an importer fails to have an article which requires treatment under this section treated within a reasonable time, the biosecurity officer may require the article to be destroyed.

(7) If –

(a) appropriate treatment is not available in Solomon Islands;

(b) in the opinion of a biosecurity officer, there would still be a biosecurity risk after treatment; or

(c) the importer chooses not to have the article treated,

the article must be re-consigned or, if the importer chooses, or if section 54(3) applies, destroyed.

(8) Notice of action to be taken under subsection (6) or (7) must be given to the importer in writing before the action is taken, except for articles in passenger baggage which are detained for destruction in the presence of the owner or custodian. 

(9) If an outgoing regulated article requires treatment as a condition of importation into the receiving country, the article must be treated at the expense of the exporter before biosecurity export clearance is granted in respect of it.

(10) If, in the course of treatment, goods are destroyed or damaged, without negligence or malice, no compensation is payable to the importer or exporter of the goods.

(11) Treatment of an article –

(a) should be the minimum required to remove or adequately reduce the biosecurity risk posed by the article; and 

(b) may be administered by an appropriately qualified biosecurity officer, or by any other suitably qualified person at the request of the officer or the importer. 

(12) The charges for treatment of an article under this section are as prescribed or specified. 

Re-consignment of articles

54. (1) If an incoming regulated article which requires an import permit or a sanitary or phytosanitary certificate does not have the permit or certificate attached to it, a biosecurity officer may, after informing the importer, detain the article for re-consignment or destruction. 

(2) An incoming article that is a prohibited import must be re-consigned or destroyed. 

(3) Re-consignment is at the option and cost of the importer, but –

(a) re-consignment must be effected within a time specified by the officer, which must be reasonable in the circumstances; and 

(b) if the biosecurity officer considers that the biosecurity risk of re-consignment is unacceptable, the option is not available. 

(4) The power to order re-consignment of an article under this section applies also to any container, crate, baggage, package or mail which carries it. 

(5) If re-consignment is not effected within the time specified under subsection (3)(a), or is not acceptable, the article or consignment must be destroyed. 

(6) No compensation is payable to the importer for the cost of re-consignment under this section. 

Destruction of articles

55. (1) If this Act requires or authorizes an article to be destroyed, the destruction of the article must be in accordance with this section.

(2) If an incoming article is found to be infected, infested or contaminated by a regulated pest or disease, and –

(a) appropriate treatment is not available in Solomon Islands;

(b) in the opinion of the Director, there would still be a biosecurity risk after treatment; or 

(c) the importer chooses not to have the article treated, 

the article must be re-consigned or, if the importer chooses, or if section 54(3)(b) applies, destroyed. 

(3) The power of destruction of articles in subsection (2) is in addition to any other power of destruction in or under this Act. 

(4) Destruction of an article under this Act may include any container, crate, baggage, package, mail, item or any other matter which carries it. 

(5) Packaging of an article may be considered as not part of a consignment and may be destroyed, if considered to pose a biosecurity risk, whether or not the article is destroyed. 

(6) The manner of destruction of articles under this section is as specified or approved by the Director and the importer or owner of the article, if known, must be invited to witness the destruction.

(7) The Director must give notice of an intention to destroy any article to the importer or owner in writing before the action is taken, if the importer or owner is known.

(8) No compensation is payable to the importer for destruction of an article under this section.

(9) The charges for destruction of an article under this section are as prescribed or specified.

Post mortem examination of an animal 

56. (1) If a biosecurity officer examining an animal pursuant to this Act suspects that the animal is diseased and considers a post mortem examination to be necessary to establish a diagnosis, the officer may, on the written authority of the Director, and without the consent of the owner –

(a) take or cause to be taken the life of the animal;

(b) cause a post mortem examination to be conducted to decide whether the animal is diseased; and 

(c) obtain specimens from the animal for laboratory examination and diagnosis. 

(2) If an examination is conducted pursuant to subsection (1), the results of the examination and of any laboratory reports resulting from the examination must be provided in writing to the Director and to the owner of the animal, if the owner can be identified and located. 

Powers in relation to people

57. (1) If a biosecurity officer is of the opinion that any individual –

(a) seeking to enter or leave Solomon Islands; 

(b) employed at a biosecurity point of entry or departure, in a designated area or quarantine station, or at approved premises; or 

(c) engaged in importing or exporting regulated articles, 

is in possession or control of an article that poses a biosecurity threat to Solomon Islands, the officer may detain and question the individual.

(2) If a biosecurity officer suspects that there may be upon an individual seeking to enter Solomon Islands an article that would, if imported, constitute an offence under this Act, the officer may cause the individual and the individual's baggage to be searched. 

(3) If a biosecurity officer suspects that there may be upon an individual seeking to leave Solomon Islands an article that would, if exported, constitute an offence under this Act, the officer may cause the individual and the individual's baggage to be searched. 

(4) A search of an individual under this section must be carried out by two officers of the same sex as the individual searched. 

(5) An individual may be detained under this section only for as long as is required to question and search the individual and the individual's baggage and to arrange for biosecurity measures to be taken in respect of it.

(6) An individual commits an offence if the individual refuses –

(a) to answer to the best of his or her knowledge and ability questions reasonably put by a biosecurity officer; or 

(b) to submit to a search reasonably required under this section.

PART 8—BIOSECURITY INTERNAL CONTROL

Pests and diseases surveys

58. (1) The Director may, whenever required, order a survey of any area of Solomon Islands to be conducted to ascertain the status of pests and diseases in the area and the biosecurity risk of moving animals, plants, humans or organisms into, out of, or through the area.

(2) For the purposes of a survey under this section, a biosecurity officer may, in the area of the survey –

(a) inspect premises and equipment; 

(b) take photographs and films and make drawings; 

(c) inspect animals and plants and their products; 

(d) question persons; and 

(e) collect specimens and perform tests relating to animals, plants, animal and plant products, land, water and the environment. 

(3) For the purposes of a survey under this section, the Director may direct the owners of animals or plants in the area of the survey, or persons who have custody or control of them, to make them available for inspection at places designated by the Director.

(4) A person commits an offence if the person refuses, in the course of a survey under this section –

(a) to permit an officer to enter property, collect specimens or perform tests as reasonably required; 

(b) to answer to the best of his or her knowledge and ability oral or written questions reasonably put to the person by a biosecurity officer; or 

(c) to make animals or plants in the ownership, custody or control of the person available as required under subsection (3). 

(5) The Director may provide for the publication and transmission of survey results to other interested governments and organisations in compliance with international agreements.

Entry, search and seizure

59. (1) If a biosecurity officer reasonably suspects the presence of a regulated pest or disease that is not under official control the officer may –

(a) at any time stop, board and search any conveyance;

(b) at any time enter and search any premises, building or area, including a biosecurity holding area, biosecurity quarantine station or biosecurity approved premises and land adjacent to a dwelling house, but not a dwelling house; 

(c) at any time with the consent of the owner, enter and search a dwelling house for animals, plants and their products; and 

(d) at any time, on a warrant issued under subsection (2), enter and search a dwelling house for any regulated article that the officer reasonably suspects to be in it and to pose a biosecurity threat to Solomon Islands. 

(2) If a Magistrate is satisfied on sworn statement by a biosecurity officer that –

(a) there may be in a dwelling house a regulated article that poses a biosecurity threat to Solomon Islands; and 

(b) the consent of the owner or occupier to entry and search of the dwelling house cannot be obtained, 

the Magistrate may issue a warrant authorising the officer to enter and search the dwelling house for the article.

(3) During a search of premises or a conveyance under this section a biosecurity officer may seize anything which –

(a) is a regulated article which the officer reasonably suspects poses a biosecurity threat to Solomon Islands; or 

(b) may be used as evidence of the commission of an offence under this Act. 

(4) A biosecurity officer who seizes anything from a person under subsection (3) must –

(a) inform the person of the reason for the seizure; 

(b) give the person a receipt for the thing seized; and 

(c) at the expense of the owner, remove the thing to a place of safekeeping and deal with it in accordance with this Act. 

(5) A biosecurity officer may submit to appropriate biosecurity measures any regulated article seized pursuant to this section.

Detention and testing of animals and plants and their products

60. (1) If an animal or plant or animal or plant product in Solomon Islands is suspected of being infected or infested by a regulated pest or disease, a biosecurity officer may direct the animal, plant or product to be detained and confined in a place specified by the Director for tests to be conducted.

(2) Following detention under subsection (1), a biosecurity officer may test, or cause to be tested, any animal or plant or animal or plant product, and such tests may include –

(a) the taking of samples in accordance with section 51; and 

(b) conducting a post mortem examination in accordance with section 56.

(3) If after testing as in subsection (2), the animal, plant or product is considered to pose a biosecurity threat to Solomon Islands, the officer may further detain it in the specified place for biosecurity measures to be taken in respect of it, but an animal, plant or product may be detained only for so long as is required for biosecurity measures to be taken in respect of it. 

(4) If an animal or plant or animal or plant product is to be detained under this section, a biosecurity officer may –

(a) direct the owner or custodian to remove it to the place specified under subsection (1); and 

(b) if necessary (because the owner or custodian refuses to obey the direction, or because of the nature of the biosecurity threat) arrange for the animal, plant or product to be removed to the specified place.

(5) If an animal or plant or animal or plant product is detained under this section, the owner or custodian must be given a written notice stating the reasons for the detention and, if it was removed under subsection (4)(b), the specified place.

(6) The cost of removal of an article to and its detention in a specified place under this section is to be borne by the Ministry, and the owner is entitled to compensation for damage to or destruction of an article (but not consequential loss) caused as a result of any such removal or detention.

(7) Section 12 applies to places specified under this section as it applies to biosecurity holding areas, except that subsections 40(2) and (3) do not apply.

Treatment or destruction of animals and plants and their products

61. (1) If treatment is available to eliminate or reduce to an acceptable level the biosecurity threat posed by an animal or plant or animal or plant product that has been detained under section 60, a biosecurity officer may –

(a) with the consent of the owner or custodian of the animal, plant or product, administer such treatment, or cause it to be administered; and

(b) after treatment, release the animal, plant or product to the owner or custodian.

(2) If –

(a) in the opinion of a biosecurity officer, appropriate treatment is not available in Solomon Islands;

(b) in the opinion of a biosecurity officer, there would still be a biosecurity risk after treatment; or

(c) the owner or custodian does not consent to the treatment being administered,

a biosecurity officer may order the animal or plant or product to be destroyed.

(3) Notice of action to be taken under subsection (2) must be given to the owner or custodian in writing before the action is taken.

(4) Subject to subsection (5), section 55 applies to the destruction of animals and plants and their products under this section, replacing references to the importer of an article by references to the owner or custodian of it.

(5) The cost of treatment or destruction under this section is to be borne by the Ministry, and the owner is entitled to compensation (but not consequential loss) for destruction of an article under this section.

Infested biosecurity controlled areas

62. (1) If –

(a) an animal or plant on land or premises in any area of Solomon Islands is found to be infested by a pest or disease; and 

(b) the powers in sections 59 to 61 are inadequate to control the outbreak, 

the Minister may, on the advice of the Director, declare, by order in the Gazette, the land or premises to be an infested biosecurity controlled area in respect of that pest or disease. 

(2) An order under this section –

(a) may include an area of adjacent land if necessary to effectively contain the infestation; 

(b) must be made as soon as practicable after the finding of the infestation; and 

(c) comes into effect on the date it is signed by the Minister. 

(3) In an infested biosecurity controlled area, a biosecurity officer may enter upon any land at any time in order to ascertain the status of a regulated pest or disease. 

(4) In an infested biosecurity controlled area, pending the making of an order under section 63, no animal or animal product, or plant or plant product, fodder, fitting or other thing as specified in the declaration, may be moved out of, into or within the area except with the permission of a biosecurity officer and in accordance with any conditions reasonably imposed by the officer.

(5) A person who contravenes subsection (4) commits an offence.

Regulation of infested biosecurity controlled areas

63. (1) In an infested biosecurity controlled area, the Director may, by order in the Gazette, direct –

(a) the treatment or disposal of diseased animals and plants; 

(b) the destocking, cleaning, disinfecting or other treatment of land, premises and conveyances;

(c) the inspection and treatment of regulated articles in or entering or leaving the area; or 

(d) any other biosecurity measures the Director considers necessary to control the infestation. 

(2) In respect of an infested biosecurity controlled area, the Director may by order control –

(a) the movement of animals or plants or their products or other regulated articles into, out of or within the area; 

(b) the movement of humans and conveyances into, out of or within the area; or 

(c) any other activity the Director considers needs to be controlled to prevent the movement of host material into and out of the area. 

(3) An order under subsection (1) or (2) may create offences for breaches of it and prescribe maximum penalties not exceeding a fine of 20,000 penalty units for an individual and 100,000 penalty units for a corporate body.

(4) An order under this section –

(a) must be published as required by section 104(1); and 

(b) does not take effect until published in the Gazette.

(5) Section 62(4) ceases to have effect upon the coming into force of an order under this section.

(6) The cost of treatment or destruction under this section is to be borne by the Ministry, and the owner is entitled to compensation (but not consequential loss) for destruction of an article under this section.

Pest-free biosecurity controlled areas

64. (1) The Minister, on the advice of the Director, may by order in the Gazette declare any area of Solomon Islands to be a pest-free controlled biosecurity controlled area in respect of a specified pest or disease.

(2) A pest-free biosecurity controlled area is one where the specified pest or disease does not occur, so far as is known, and where incursions of that pest or disease should be prevented.

(3) An order under this section –

(a) must be published as required by section 104(1); and 

(b) does not take effect until published in the Gazette.

(4) Following a further survey conducted under section 58, and on the advice of the Director, the Minister may amend or revoke an order made under subsection (1).

(5) Before advising the Minister under this section, the Director must obtain appropriate scientific advice. 

Regulation of pest-free biosecurity controlled areas

65. (1) In respect of a pest-free biosecurity controlled area the Director may, by order in the Gazette –

(a) control the movement of regulated articles, humans and conveyances into, out of, and within the area; 

(b) direct the inspection and treatment of regulated articles in or entering or leaving the area; or 

(c) establish surveillance procedures for the specified pest or disease in the area. 

(2) An order under subsection (1) –

(a) must only be made for the purposes of preventing incursions of the specified pest or disease into the biosecurity controlled area; and 

(b) may create offences for breaches of the order and prescribe maximum penalties not exceeding a fine of 20,000 penalty units for an individual and 100,000 penalty units for a corporate body. 

(3) An order under this section –

(a) must be published as required by section 104(1); and 

(b) does not take effect until published in the Gazette.

(4) The Director may by administrative means institute other measures to keep the biosecurity controlled area free of the specified pest or disease.

Destruction of wild animals

66. (1) If the Director has reason to suspect that a wild or feral animal is carrying a regulated pest or disease, the Director may, in order to prevent the pest or disease from being established or spreading in Solomon Islands, after consultation with relevant technical section heads, cause the animal to be destroyed. 

(2) The carcass of an animal destroyed under subsection (1) must be disposed of in a manner that will not create the risk of the spread of any regulated pest or disease. 

Notifiable pests and diseases

67. (1) The Director may, by order in the Gazette, declare –

(a) the pests and diseases that are notifiable for purposes of this section; and

(b) the manner of notifying such pests and diseases to the Director.

(2) An order under this section –

(a) must be published as required by section 104(1); and

(b) does not take effect until published in the Gazette.

(3) A person who knows of or suspects the occurrence of a notifiable pest or disease in Solomon Islands must as soon as reasonably practicable notify the Director in the manner declared under subsection (1), unless the person reasonably believes that the Director has already been notified of the occurrence.

(4) A person who fails to comply with subsection (3) commits an offence.

(5) The master of a vessel or captain of an aircraft in Solomon Islands who knows of or suspects the occurrence of a notifiable pest or disease on board the vessel or aircraft must –

(a) as soon as reasonably practicable notify the Director in the manner declared under subsection (1); and 

(b) take such action in relation to the vessel or aircraft as is directed by the Director or a biosecurity officer.

(6) A master or captain who fails to comply with subsection (5)(a) or (b) commits an offence. 

(7) The Director must record in the biosecurity register all occurrences of notifiable diseases that are notified under this section or that otherwise come to the notice of the Director.

Beneficial organisms and biocontrol agents

68. (1) The Minister may in writing authorise the release of beneficial organisms or biocontrol agents that are necessary or appropriate agents for the control or eradication of a particular pest or disease in Solomon Islands.

(2) Before authorising a release under subsection (1), the Minister must obtain the advice of the Director as to the biosecurity risk posed by the release and consult as appropriate the officers or authorities responsible for agriculture, fisheries, environment and natural resources.

(3) An authorisation under subsection (1) must identify –

(a) the organism or agent; 

(b) the pest or disease which it is intended to control; 

(c) the area where it may be released; 

(d) the period during which it may be released; 

(e) the person or persons who may release it; and 

(f) any conditions subject to which the approval is granted. 

(4) No liability attaches to the Minister, the Director or any public officer in respect of the release of organisms or biocontrol agents in accordance with this section, except on proof of negligence or malice. 

(5) The Director must record in the biosecurity register –

(a) the names of any beneficial organisms or biological agents released under this section; and 

(b) the place of and extent of release of such organisms and agents. 

(6) In this section, "beneficial organism" and "biocontrol agent" mean a natural enemy, antagonist or competitor of a pest or disease, and any other self-replicating biotic entity used for pest and disease control.

(7) Before advising the Minister under subsection (2), the Director must obtain appropriate scientific advice. 

PART 9—BIOSECURITY EMERGENCIES

Declaration of a biosecurity emergency area

69. (1) On receiving evidence that a biosecurity emergency has arisen in the whole or any part of Solomon Islands, the Minister may, on the advice of the Director, declare by order in the Gazette a biosecurity emergency in respect of the whole of or that part of Solomon Islands.

(2) A biosecurity emergency area may include an area where an animal or plant is found to be infested or infected, and adjacent areas to the extent reasonably necessary.

(3) Notice of a declaration under this section must be –

(a) published as required by section 104(1); and

(b) displayed on a noticeboard or similar thing throughout the biosecurity emergency area. 

(4) A declaration under subsection (1) must be revoked as soon as the biosecurity threat is removed or reduced to an acceptable degree.

(5) A declaration under subsection (1) expires on the date which is 6 months after it comes into force unless it is revoked or extended on or before that date and subsection (3) applies to such revocation or extension.

(6) An extension of a biosecurity emergency declaration may not be for more than 6 months from the date of the resolution, but may be renewed in the same manner before the end of that period.

Response to a biosecurity emergency

70. (1) When a biosecurity emergency area is declared under section 69, the Director must undertake a detailed survey using the powers in section 58, to ascertain the precise extent and severity of the incursion or other threat and the most appropriate measures to take in response.

(2) In deciding on an appropriate response to a biosecurity emergency, the Director should –

(a) be guided by any Biosecurity Emergency Response Plan that has been devised by the Ministry in consultation with other departments of government and statutory authorities; and 

(b) as appropriate, consult and liaise with the National Disaster Council. 

(3) If the cost of a response to an emergency exceeds or is likely to exceed the current budget of the Ministry, the Minister may make a request for a contingency warrant to the Minister responsible for Finance under section 15 of the Public Finance and Audit Act (Cap. 120).

Action in a biosecurity emergency area

71. (1) In respect of a biosecurity emergency area –

(a) the Permanent Secretary may request the Commissioner of Police, a Permanent Secretary, the premier of a provincial government or an executive officer of a statutory body to use their powers and resources to assist in the control or eradication of any pest or disease in the area; 

(b) the Permanent Secretary may in writing requisition for the use of the Director any conveyance or equipment which the Director reasonably considers is necessary or useful for preventing, eradicating or limiting the spread of a pest or disease; 

(c) a biosecurity officer may enter upon any land at any time in order to ascertain the status of a pest or disease; and 

(d) the Permanent Secretary may appoint temporary additional personnel, whether or not having the powers of biosecurity officers, to effectively respond to the biosecurity emergency.

(2) In a biosecurity emergency area, the Director may do or cause to be done any of the following –

(a) mark the boundaries of the emergency area; 

(b) set up roadblocks at all exits from the area; 

(c) set up facilities for the cleansing and disinfection of all persons and conveyances entering or leaving the area and any other thing likely to spread any pest or disease; 

(d) disinfect all conveyances, crates, packing, animals, plants and other things which are likely to carry pests or diseases and which are being sent out of the area; 

(e) inspect and disinfect all persons and their possessions leaving the area so as to prevent any host material that may be infected from leaving the area; 

(f) for the purposes of paragraphs (d) and (e), detain persons, animals, plants, animal and plant products, goods and vehicles for as long as is necessary to minimise or eliminate the biosecurity risk presented by them; and 

(g) perform surveillance activities to ascertain the extent and status of the emergency. 

(3) A person commits an offence if the person –

(a) resists, knowingly obstructs, or knowingly and without reasonable excuse fails to comply with a direction of the Director, a biosecurity officer or any police officer or other person performing duties under this section; 

(b) knowingly enters or leaves a biosecurity emergency area except with and in accordance with the permission of the Director or a biosecurity officer; or 

(c) knowingly moves any article out of or into a biosecurity emergency area, or from one place within the area to another place within that area, except with and in accordance with the written permission of the Director or a biosecurity officer. 

(4) Articles moved in contravention of subsection (3)(c) may be seized by a biosecurity officer and –

(a) held pending criminal proceedings for the contravention; or 

(b) if necessary to remove a biosecurity threat, destroyed as the Director directs, without a court order. 

(5) In respect of action taken under this section –

(a) the cost of treatment or destruction of any article is to be borne by the Ministry; and 

(b) compensation (but not for consequential loss) is payable to the owner of any land, premises, conveyance or article that is used, lost, destroyed or damaged.

Biosecurity Emergency Regulations

72. (1) The Minister, on the advice of the Director, may make regulations ("Biosecurity Emergency Regulations") which –

(a) supplement the powers given to the Permanent Secretary and Director and biosecurity officers by section 71; and 

(b) take effect upon the declaration of a biosecurity emergency area under section 69. 

(2) Biosecurity Emergency Regulations may, in respect of a biosecurity emergency area –

(a) create one or more exclusion zones within the area and control the movement of conveyances, humans, animals and plants and host material into, out of and within such a zone; 

(b) prohibit specified activities in the area; 

(c) provide for the destruction or treatment of specified goods and the treatment of land in the area; 

(d) regulate the use of the area for a specified period after the lifting of emergency restrictions; and 

(e) generally, specify the conditions which apply to the area to control the biosecurity emergency.

(3) Biosecurity Emergency Regulations may –

(a) confer on the Permanent Secretary and Director and on biosecurity officers powers additional to those conferred by this Act and reasonably needed to deal with the emergency;

(b) prescribe the disposal, destruction, treatment or other measures to be adopted in respect of any item which is infected, infested or contaminated; 

(c) require the cleansing or disinfecting of soil, conveyances, machinery, tools, equipment, clothing, footwear or other things which may have come into contact with those items; 

(d) prescribe measures to be taken to prevent pests and diseases from spreading, including but not limited to cleansing of homes and utensils, removal of stagnant water and disposal of garbage; and 

(e) prohibit or restrict the use of any seaport or airport, or of any facilities at any seaport or airport, to the extent specified. 

(4) Biosecurity Emergency Regulations may create offences for breaches of them and prescribe maximum penalties not exceeding a fine of 1,000,000 penalty units for an individual or 5,000,000 penalty units for a corporate body.

(5) Biosecurity Emergency Regulations come into force on the day on which a biosecurity emergency declaration takes effect under section 69 and lapse upon the expiry of the declaration under that section; and may come into force again if a further declaration is made under section 69. 

(6) In respect of action taken under Biosecurity Emergency Regulations –

(a) the cost of treatment or destruction of any article is to be borne by the Ministry; and 

(b) compensation (but not for consequential loss) is payable to the owner of any land, premises, conveyance or article that is used, lost, destroyed or damaged. 

PART 10—DIRECTOR OF BIOSECURITY AND OTHER BIOSECURITY OFFICERS

Designation of Director of Biosecurity

73. (1) This section establishes the following positions as public offices to carry out the administration of this Act, and persons who are to hold such offices are to be appointed pursuant to section 116 of the Constitution –

(a) the Director of Biosecurity;

(b) the Deputy Director of Biosecurity; 

(c) biosecurity officers.

(2) The Director and Deputy Director (if any) are by virtue of their office biosecurity officers for all purposes of this Act. 

(3) Appointments under this section must be published in the Gazette.

Designation of biosecurity officers

74. (1) The Minister may, by notice in the Gazette –

(a) designate other suitably qualified public officers in other Departments as biosecurity officers for the purposes of this Act; and 

(b) appoint any suitably qualified employee of a statutory authority or other person to be a biosecurity officer for a particular purpose or at a particular location.

(2) The Minister must, before designating a public officer from another Department, consult the relevant Minister, but failure to do so does not invalidate the designation.

(3) The powers of a biosecurity officer are as prescribed by or under this Act. 

(4) A biosecurity officer must perform duties, not inconsistent with this Act, as are assigned to the officer by the Director.

(5) The Director may limit the functions to be performed by a biosecurity officer to those within the officer's technical sphere of competence;

(6) The functions assigned to a public officer or other person under subsection (1) must be consistent with the terms of the designation or appointment.

(7) The Director must provide every biosecurity officer with a suitable form of identification as such officer. 

(8) A person commits an offence if the person –

(a) upon the termination of his or her appointment as a biosecurity officer fails to surrender up any identification issued under subsection (7) within a specified period; or 

(b) copies, forges or alters a form of identification issued under subsection (7). 

(9) A person who is to perform duties as a biosecurity officer under this Act must be given adequate training in biosecurity control measures and in the provisions of this Act before embarking on those duties. 

Functions of the Director

75. (1) The Director must –

(a) perform the functions assigned to the Director by or under this Act; 

(b) advise the Minister on matters relating to animal and plant quarantine and biosecurity and liaise with appropriate Ministries and statutory bodies on such matters; 

(c) report to the Permanent Secretary and Minister as required by either of them from time to time; 

(d) produce an operations manual for the guidance of biosecurity officers in electronic or hard format or both; and 

(e) perform any other functions relating to this Act that the Minister or Permanent Secretary by directions in writing confers on the Director from time to time.

(2) Before performing technical functions under this Act, the Director and Deputy Director must as appropriate obtain advice from technical section heads. 

Report to the Minister

76. (1) The Minister may call for reports from the Permanent Secretary on any matter pertaining to this Act or the biosecurity functions of the Government. 

(2) The Permanent Secretary –

(a) may call for reports from the Director on any matter pertaining to this Act or the functions of the Director; 

(b) must endeavour to ensure that adequate staff and funds are available to the Director for the performance of the Director's functions under section 75, in accordance with any policy laid down by the Minister; 

(c) in consultation with other Departments and statutory authorities and the National Disaster Council, must devise a Biosecurity Emergency Response Plan to deal with an incursion of a regulated pest or disease in Solomon Islands and keep the plan under review; or 

(d) to the extent possible, may publicise the requirements of this Act and increase public awareness of the importance of biosecurity. 

Directions

77. (1) The Minister may give written directions to the Permanent Secretary concerning administrative action needed to implement this Act and to achieve the biosecurity functions of the Government.

(2) The Permanent Secretary may give written directions to the Director concerning administrative action needed to implement this Act and to achieve the biosecurity functions of the Government. 

(3) The Director may give written directions to biosecurity officers as to the manner in which their functions are to be performed, consistent with this Act and the regulations.

Delegation of functions

78. (1) The Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, delegate any of the Minister's functions, powers and duties under this Act to the Permanent Secretary or the Director, other than any legislative or appellate function or this power to delegate.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the Director may in writing delegate any of the Director's functions under this Act or the regulations to the Deputy Director or to a named biosecurity officer.

(3) The Director may not delegate the power of giving directions under section 77 or the power of delegation under this section, except to the Deputy Director. 

(4) A delegation under this section may be to a specified person or to the holder for the time being of a specified office or to the holders of offices of a specified class. 

(5) A delegation under this section may be made subject to such restrictions and conditions as the delegator thinks fit, and may be made either generally or in relation to any particular case or class of cases.

(6) A person purporting to perform any function by virtue of a delegation under this section must, when required to do so, produce evidence of the authority to perform the function.

(7) A delegation under this section continues in force, notwithstanding a change in the identity of the delegator, until revoked.

Biosecurity register and records

79. (1) The Director must maintain a biosecurity register and other records needed for the administration of this Act and the performance of the biosecurity functions of the Government. 

(2) Without limiting the matters to be recorded in the biosecurity register, details of the following must be included

(a) regulated pests and diseases; 

(b) prohibited imports; 

(c) biosecurity points of entry and departure; 

(d) biosecurity holding areas; 

(e) biosecurity clearance agents; 

(f) biosecurity port quarantine areas; 

(g) biosecurity quarantine stations; 

(h) biosecurity approved premises; 

(i) biosecurity import permits issued, refused and revoked under Part 4; 

(j) exemptions granted under section 31; 

(k) transit waivers issued under section 32, other than in-transit passenger waivers; 

(l) biosecurity controlled areas declared under section 62 or 64; 

(m) occurrences of notifiable pests and diseases notified under section 67; 

(n) beneficial organisms and biocontrol agents released under section 68; 

(o) agreements and memoranda of understanding with other government departments, statutory authorities and overseas agencies under section 83(3); 

(p) compliance agreements entered into by the Director under section 87; 

(q) bilateral agreements entered into with potential receiving countries under section 89; 

(r) any other public biosecurity register required by or under this Act or considered by the Director to be necessary or appropriate. 

(3) The biosecurity register must include details of –

(a) specifications for regulated articles made under sections 26 and 36, including the biosecurity measures appropriate to each type of regulated article; and 

(b) any other form or matter specified by the Director under this Act. 

(4) In respect of the biosecurity requirements of receiving countries, the biosecurity register must include details of –

(a) the requirements of those countries for which biosecurity export clearance has been granted in the past 12 months; and 

(b) source material for ascertaining the biosecurity requirements of all potential receiving countries. 

(5) The Director must maintain records relating to the biosecurity functions of the Government, including, but not limited to –

(a) financial and resource management records, with budgets and records of expenditure and revenue; 

(b) personnel records including the identities, duty statements and terms and conditions of employment of all biosecurity officers; and 

(c) operational statistics relating to the biosecurity functions of the Government.

Status of biosecurity register and records

80. (1) The biosecurity register kept pursuant to section 79(1) must be made available for inspection and copying by members of the public during office hours at the office of the Director on payment of the prescribed fee.

(2) Copies of relevant extracts from the biosecurity register must be made available for inspection and copying by members of the public at provincial government offices on payment of the prescribed fee. 

(3) Subject to any other Act, the biosecurity register and other records kept under section 79 must only be used for the purposes of this Act. 

(4) A copy of an entry in the biosecurity register which is certified by the Director to be an accurate copy may be produced in court as prima facie evidence of the entry. 

(5) The biosecurity register and other records kept under section 79 may be in electronic format, provided the information is readily retrievable and is protected against unintended loss and unauthorised alteration. 

(6) The Minister, on the advice of the Director, may by order determine the period for which entries in the biosecurity register and other records under section 79 must be kept, consistent with any other Act relating to public records. 

PART 11—ADMINISTRATION OF THE ACT

Financial provisions 

81. (1) The biosecurity funds of the Ministry consist of money appropriated annually by the Parliament.

(2) The Minister may request further biosecurity funds for the implementation of this Act through supplementary appropriation or by way of contingency warrant under section 15 of the Public Finance and Audit Act (Cap. 120). 

(3) If –

(a) there is an incursion of a regulated pest, disease or organism into Solomon Islands which may threaten the livelihood and environment of the country or any part of it; and 

(b) a response is immediately required, whether by way of the declaration of a biosecurity emergency area or otherwise, 

the Minister may request funds by way of contingency warrant under section 15 of the Public Finance and Audit Act (Cap. 120). 

(4) If a fee or charge payable under this Act is not paid –

(a) if the service for which the fee or charge is payable has not been provided, it may be withheld until the fee is paid; 

(b) if the service has been provided, the fee or charge may be recovered as a debt owing to the Government; or 

(c) if the fee or charge is in respect of an item in quarantine, the item may be sold once it has cleared quarantine, or otherwise be treated as abandoned goods. 

Powers of Provincial Governments

82. (1) Subject to the directions of the Director, a provincial government may in relation to its area of jurisdiction –

(a) carry out, for the purposes of this Act, monitoring and surveillance of pests and diseases; 

(b) propose pest and disease management strategies in consultation with the Director; 

(c) if a pest management strategy proposed by the provincial government has been approved by the Director –

(i) perform the functions of the management agency in respect of the strategy; 

(ii) provide for the management or eradication of pests and diseases; and 

(iii) review, extend or revoke the strategy; 

(d) advise the Director on the need for and appropriate controls in a biosecurity controlled area; 

(e) assist the Director in making an appropriate response to a biosecurity emergency; and 

(f) generally, assist the Director in any action needed under Part 8 in respect of its area of jurisdiction. 

(2) A provincial government, in consultation with the Director, may gather information, keep records, undertake research, and do any other similar thing that the provincial government considers necessary or desirable to enable it to act effectively under this Act. 

(3) A provincial government may make by-laws for specific matters of concern to their area of jurisdiction in relation to biosecurity.

Consultation and outsourcing

83. (1) Before making subsidiary legislation, issuing directions or exercising other powers under this Act, the Minister, Permanent Secretary and Director should each obtain appropriate technical advice and consult relevant interested parties, but failure to do so does not invalidate the exercise of the relevant powers. 

(2) Before exercising a power under this Act that will or might affect matters within the responsibility of another government department or statutory authority (including but not limited to human health, natural resources, environment, tourism, postal services, shipping, aviation, transport and trade) the Minister, Permanent Secretary and Director should each consult the relevant department, authority or officer, but failure to do so does not invalidate the exercise of the power. 

(3) The Minister or person authorised in writing by the Minister may for the effective implementation of this Act, enter into memoranda of understanding or other agreements with other government departments and statutory authorities and with official agencies and private organizations in Solomon Islands or elsewhere. 

(4) The Ministry may, subject to rules relating to procurement, tenders and other matters governing Government contracts –

(a) hire the services of a laboratory for testing of samples; 

(b) hire consultants to perform biosecurity risk assessments and to carry out surveys authorised under this Act; and 

(c) hire any treatment or other service deemed necessary for the effective implementation of this Act. 

(5) Outsourcing of services under subsection (4) –

(a) requires legal capacity to enter into contracts; 

(b) but does not confer on any person the powers of a biosecurity officer. 

Duty to coordinate

84. (1) Biosecurity officers and other persons administering this Act should so far as possible coordinate their functions with those of officers of other government departments and statutory authorities, in respect of border control, the movement of vessels and aircraft, human health, biosecurity internal control and compliance with the laws of Solomon Islands generally. 

(2) Without limiting subsection (1) –

(a) biosecurity officers should notify officers of the customs and immigration services of any breach of the customs or immigration Acts that comes to their notice; 

(b) officers of the customs and immigration services and of the postal service should –

(i) notify a biosecurity officer of the importation or proposed exportation of any uncleared regulated article that comes to their notice; 

(ii) hand over to a biosecurity officer any such article which comes into their possession for inspection and treatment in accordance with this Act; and 

(c) police officers, customs officers, immigration officers, postal service officers, environmental officers, agriculture officers, livestock officers, forestry officers and fisheries officers should co-operate with biosecurity officers in the performance of their functions under this Act and render such assistance as they can lawfully do when called upon by the Director or a biosecurity officer. 

(3) The Permanent Secretary should seek so far as possible to coordinate the biosecurity functions of the Government with those of other government departments and statutory authorities dealing with the police, customs, immigration, marine, harbours, civil aviation, health, environment, fisheries, natural resources and similar services. 

Facilities at biosecurity points of entry or departure

85. (1) The operator of every biosecurity point of entry or departure in Solomon Islands must, to the extent possible, provide on the premises, for the purposes of this Act and to the satisfaction of the Director –

(a) an area suitable for use as offices by biosecurity officers stationed at the point; 

(b) adequate space for the display of notices regarding the biosecurity requirements of this Act; 

(c) areas for interview of passengers and inspection of their baggage and, if necessary, physical examination of incoming passengers and crew, if required; 

(d) adequate areas, facilities and equipment for performing the functions of biosecurity holding areas as designated under section 11; 

(e) facilities and suitable containers for garbage collection and incineration or other disposal; 

(f) facilities for the incineration or other disposal of regulated articles without creating an unacceptable biosecurity risk; 

(g) fencing of premises in which garbage holding and disposal equipment is situated; and 

(h) any other facilities the Director reasonably requests in writing as being needed for the performance of biosecurity functions at the point of entry or departure. 

(2) The operator of a biosecurity entry or departure point, whether or not a public officer, must –

(a) keep the premises and facilities mentioned in subsection (1)(e), (f) and (g) free from weeds and vermin to the satisfaction of the Director; and 

(b) be responsible for the operation of any facility for incineration or disposal and costs associated with it. 

(3) An operator who fails to do so commits an offence.

(4) No charge is payable for the facilities to be provided under this section. If an operator fails to provide facilities as required by this section they may be provided by the Director and the cost of such provision is a debt owing by the operator to the Government. 

Safe carriage and safe working environment

86. (1) If it is necessary for the purposes of this Act for a biosecurity officer to be transported to a conveyance, premises or place, the owner of the conveyance, premises or place must ensure that the mode of transport provides safe carriage having regard to the conditions of travel.

(2) If it is necessary for an officer to undertake inspection duties on a conveyance or premises, including a conveyance or premises owned by the Government, the person in charge of the conveyance or premises must provide –

(a) a safe working environment for the officer; 

(b) adequate refreshment, meal and other refreshment provisions as are necessary; and 

(c) overnight accommodation, if required. 

(3) The Minister's power to make regulations under section 106 includes the power to make regulations, consistent with the health and safety Acts of Solomon Islands, to enforce the obligations stated in subsection (1) and (2). 

Compliance agreements

87. (1) The Director may enter into a written agreement with an importer, exporter, producer or any other person in connection with –

(a) the application of particular biosecurity measures in respect of any item; 

(b) the way in which any requirement under this Act can be satisfied by the person; and 

(c) the supervision, monitoring and testing of the person's compliance with those measures or that requirement.

(2) A compliance agreement may provide that, in circumstances stated in the agreement, the Director may, by written notice, cancel or vary the agreement or suspend its operation for a period, and such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, the person's failure to comply with specified measures or meet specified requirements. 

(3) A biosecurity officer may release an article to which a compliance agreement applies, and if it is a regulated article grant biosecurity clearance in respect of it, on the basis of a written certificate, given by a person authorised under the agreement to give such a certificate, that all the measures to which the agreement refers have been complied with in respect of the article. 

Biosecurity approved premises

88. (1) The Director, on written application by the owner or occupier of any premises and on payment of the prescribed fee, may in writing –

(a) approve the premises as premises where the inspection, testing and treatment of regulated articles can take place; and 

(b) approve specified action being taken under this Act in relation to all regulated articles, or specified articles, while they are in the approved premises. 

(2) In deciding whether to give approval under subsection (1), the Director, after inspection of the premises by a biosecurity officer, must take into account –

(a) whether the specified action can be taken in the premises without an unacceptable biosecurity risk and without contravening this Act or the conditions of any permit; 

(b) whether the premises and facilities in them are adequate to enable such action to be taken efficiently and safely; 

(c) whether the location of the premises is appropriate having regard to the nature of the articles, the specified action and the level of biosecurity risk; 

(d) whether the premises are located in a place where biosecurity officers can conveniently check that this Act and the regulations are being complied with in the premises; and 

(e) any other matter the Director considers relevant. 

(3) An approval under this section may be expressed to be subject to conditions stated in the approval and is of no effect if the conditions are not met. 

(4) An approval under this section has effect for a period not exceeding 12 months but may be renewed by following the procedure for a new approval. 

(5) An approval under this section may be cancelled if the Director is satisfied –

(a) that the premises or facilities or action taken do not comply with this Act or the regulations; or 

(b) that the premises are otherwise no longer suitable for approval. 

(6) The provisions of this Act relating to biosecurity quarantine stations (other than section 40) apply to premises approved under this section. 

International cooperation

89. (1) The Minister may, on the advice of the Director after the Minister consults the Minister responsible for Foreign Affairs and with the approval of the Cabinet, enter into bilateral or multilateral agreements with countries and international organisations for effective international control in biosecurity matters. 

(2) The Director may pursuant to such agreements –

(a) exchange information with other countries and international organisations; 

(b) contribute to the development of international sanitary and phytosanitary standards. 

(3) Agreements under subsection (1) may include agreements on procedures for implementing this Act, but not so as to vary the effect of any of its provisions except as provided by this Act. 

(4) The Minister must use his or her best endeavours to implement in Solomon Islands international standards and requirements relating to biosecurity, and to that end should –

(a) on the advice of the Director, designate one or more officers in the Ministry as the enquiry point and notification authority for purposes of the IPPC, the OIE and the PPPO; and 

(b) seek to ensure that notification and reporting requirements of the IPPC, the OIE, the PPPO and any other international agreement relating to biosecurity imposed on Solomon Islands are met in a timely manner. 

Notifications

90. (1) The Director may issue a notice –

(a) stating that a specified pest or disease is known to exist in Solomon Islands; 

(b) stating that, to the best of the Director's knowledge, a specified pest or disease does not exist in Solomon Islands; or 

(c) specifying the classification, name or identity by which any animal, animal product, plant, plant product, pest or disease is known in Solomon Islands. 

(2) A notice issued under subsection (1) is, for the purposes of this Act, conclusive until revoked or amended under that subsection and is admissible in any court or other proceedings as evidence of the matters stated in it. 

PART 12—OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

Dereliction of duty by officers

91. A biosecurity officer commits an offence if the officer –

(a) fails without reasonable excuse to perform any of his or her duties under this Act or the regulations; 

(b) disposes of a regulated article or other item under the control of the officer other than in accordance with this Act; 

(c) discloses information of a confidential or commercial nature which has come into the officer's possession while performing functions under this Act, except for purposes of this Act; 

(d) in the course of performing his or her duties molests, intimidates or assaults any person; 

(e) in connection with his or her duties solicits or accepts a bribe; or 

(f) knowingly or recklessly makes a false or misleading statement, or issues a false or misleading certificate or other document, while purporting to perform his or her duties. 

Obstruction, false information etc. 

92. A person commits an offence if the person –

(a) wilfully fails to comply with a lawful request made or direction given by a biosecurity officer under this Act; 

(b) knowingly obstructs a biosecurity officer in the performance of his or her functions under this Act; 

(c) assaults, or threatens to assault a biosecurity officer performing functions under this Act; 

(d) bribes a biosecurity officer in relation to the performance of functions under this Act; 

(e) makes a false or incomplete statement, whether orally or in writing, in relation to any matter under this Act, intending to mislead a biosecurity officer in the performance of functions under this Act, 

(f) for purposes of this Act knowingly or recklessly –

(i) makes a false or misleading biosecurity declaration; or 

(ii) issues any false or misleading certificate; or 

(g) knowingly or recklessly gives false or misleading information to a biosecurity officer while the officer is performing functions under this Act. 

Fraudulent use of official documents 

93. (1) A person to whom a permit or other document is issued under this Act commits an offence if the person –

(a) forges or unlawfully alters the document; or 

(b) allows any other person to use or attempt to use the document for any purpose of this Act. 

(2) A person who, for the purposes of this Act, produces a document which is false or misleading, knowing it to be so and intending another person to rely on it, commits an offence. 

(3) A person who uses or affixes an official stamp or seal required under this Act, without lawful authority and with intent to defraud or deceive, commits an offence. 

Maximum penalties

94. (1) An individual who commits an offence under a section of this Act listed in column 2 of the Schedule is liable on conviction to the maximum penalties respectively listed in columns 3 and 5 of the Schedule. 

(2) The penalties listed in the Schedule are the maximum and a court may impose on an individual any penalty for an offence up to the amount of fine or period of imprisonment (or both) listed in respect of the offence. 

(3) A body corporate that commits an offence is liable to a maximum fine of 5 times the maximum fine for the same offence if committed by an individual, as prescribed in the Schedule. 

Forfeiture

95. (1) A court convicting a person of an offence under this Act or the regulations may, in addition to any other penalty imposed, order that any article used in committing the offence, or, if the article has been sold, the proceeds of the sale, be confiscated.

(2) If an article or proceeds are confiscated under subsection (1) –

(a) the article or proceeds are forfeited to the Crown; 

(b) a forfeited article may be sold and the proceeds of sale paid into the Consolidated Fund; or 

(c) if the article poses a biosecurity threat it must be destroyed as directed by the Director. 

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), "article used in committing the offence" includes equipment, a conveyance and any other movable thing which was used directly in the commission of the offence, but does not include land or buildings and fixtures on land. 

(4) In deciding whether to order confiscation of any article or proceeds under this section, a court must have regard to the principle of proportionality. 

Fixed penalty system

96. (1) The Director, if of the opinion that a person has committed an offence under this Act, may as an alternative to prosecuting the person –

(a) order the person to pay a fixed penalty as described in subsection (2); and 

(b) order any goods liable to confiscation in connection with the offence to be forfeited to the Crown or, if they pose a biosecurity threat, to be destroyed. 

(2) The fixed penalty referred to in subsection (1) is as set out in column 4 of the Schedule, and if no figure is shown in that column, the fixed penalty option is not available.

(3) The fixed penalty for a body corporate is 5 times that for an individual. 

(4) Before imposing a fixed penalty order on a person for an offence, the Director must notify the person in writing, giving particulars of the offence, the maximum penalty that a court could impose, the fixed penalty that is proposed, and any item that will be confiscated. 

(5) If a person on whom a notice is served under subsection (4) –

(a) within the time specified in the notice, and in writing, admits the offence, requests the Director to deal with it under this section and consents to the confiscation of the item (if appropriate), the Director may impose a fixed penalty order on the person; or 

(b) does not respond as in paragraph (a) within the time specified in the notice, the Director may prosecute the offence. 

(6) A fixed penalty order must –

(a) be in writing and specify the offence which the person has committed, the fixed penalty that is imposed, the place where it is to be paid and the date by which it is to be paid; and 

(b) specify any item that is to be forfeited or destroyed. 

(7) A person against whom an order is made under this section is not liable to any further criminal proceedings in respect of the offence and if in custody must be discharged. 

(8) If a fixed penalty payable under this section, or any part of it, is not paid by the date specified in the order, the sum payable becomes a debt owing to the Government and the Director may –

(a) request the Director of Immigration to place a stop order on the person leaving the country until the sum is paid; and 

(b) send a copy of the order to a court of competent jurisdiction, which may enforce payment of the sum outstanding as if it were a fine imposed by the court, including imposing costs and confiscation as appropriate; or 

(c) prosecute the offence. 

(9) The Minister's power to make regulations under section 106 includes the power to make regulations to supplement the provisions of this section in relation to fixed penalty notices, including the imposing of stop orders to prevent a person leaving the country until the sum is paid. 

Offences by corporate bodies

97. (1) The maximum fine for a corporate body is as stated in section 94(3).

(2) If a corporate body commits an offence against this Act, every person who is a board member or director or otherwise concerned in the management of the body also commits the offence as an individual, unless the person proves –

(a) that the offence was committed without his or her consent or connivance; and 

(b) that he or she exercised reasonable diligence to prevent the commission of the offence, having regard to the nature of his or her functions in the corporate body and to all the circumstances. 

PART 13—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Civil and criminal proceedings

98. The power of a principal magistrate to impose any penalty or to make any order provided for in or under this Act is extended under this section, notwithstanding any limitation under the Penal Code (Cap. 26) or the Magistrates' Courts Act (Cap. 20). 

Abandoned goods

99. (1) An article may be treated as abandoned and disposed goods of under this section if –

(a) any fee or charge payable by a person under this Act or the regulations in respect of the article is not paid within 28 days or other prescribed period of the notice of the fee or charge being served on the person; 

(b) the article is in a biosecurity holding area and is not removed from the area within a time specified in the notice after biosecurity entry clearance has been granted in respect of it; or 

(c) the article is in biosecurity quarantine and is not removed from a bosecuirity quarantine station or biosecurity approved premises within a time specified in the notice after the end of the quarantine period in respect of it. 

(2) An article that has been abandoned may be destroyed, sold or otherwise disposed of in the prescribed manner, or, in the absence of regulations, in any manner the Director thinks fit that does not present a biosecurity risk. 

(3) The cost of disposal of an abandoned article is a debt due to the Government by the person who was the owner of it, and proceeds of any sale or disposal of an abandoned article revert to the Government. 

Compensation

100. (1) Except as otherwise provided in or under this Act, no compensation is payable for loss of or damage to any item as a result of any search, inspection, examination, sampling, testing, detention, treatment, quarantine or other biosecurity measure taken under this Act or the regulations, unless negligence or malice on the part of the person taking the measure is proved. 

(2) Compensation is not payable under this Act, or may be reduced proportionately, if the biosecurity measures that caused the loss or damage were occasioned by a wilful or negligent act or omission of the person claiming compensation. 

(3) If this Act provides for payment of compensation in any circumstances, the compensation must be –

(a) claimed in accordance with a prescribed procedure; 

(b) if not agreed, determined by the Permanent Secretary in accordance with prescribed rates, not exceeding the market value of the item plus consequential loss reflecting contemporary costs; or 

(c) paid out of the funds of the Ministry's budget. 

(4) An appeal against a determination under subsection (3) lies to the High Court. 

Appeals from decisions

101. (1) A person who is aggrieved by a decision of a biosecurity officer under this Act made at a biosecurity point of entry or departure, in a biosecurity holding area or at a biosecurity quarantine station, may within 24 hours appeal to the officer's supervisor at that place. 

(2) A person who is aggrieved by any other decision of a biosecurity officer, or by the decision of a supervisor under subsection (1), may within 7 days appeal in writing to the Director. 

(3) A person who is aggrieved by a decision of the Director, including a decision on an appeal under subsection (2), may within 21 days appeal in writing to the Minister, whose decision is final, without affecting the judicial review power of the High Court. 

(4) The lodging of an appeal in respect of an article does not prevent biosecurity measures being taken in respect of the article to reduce or eliminate the biosecurity risk posed by the article, and section 102 applies to the taking of such measures. 

(5) The person deciding an appeal must give the appellant and the respondent the opportunity to be heard, in writing or in person, and to produce evidence and call witnesses, and must give reasons for the decision on the appeal. 

(6) If an appeal involves a technical issue, the person hearing the appeal must obtain the advice of the relevant technical section head, not being the person appealed from. 

(7) An appeal in respect of compensation is to be dealt with as provided in section 100(4). 

(8) An appeal to the Minister must be heard by the Permanent Secretary after obtaining relevant technical advice before making a report and recommendation to the Minister. 

Limitation of liability

102. (1) Neither the Minister, the Permanent Secretary, the Director nor any biosecurity officer or other public officer is personally liable for action taken under this Act in good faith and without negligence. 

(2) A breach of a duty imposed on the Minister, the Permanent Secretary, the Director, a biosecurity officer or any other public officer by or under this Act does not give rise to any civil liability except as provided by or under this Act.

Evidence

103. (1) In any proceedings under this Act –

(a) a document purporting to have been issued by the Minister, Permanent Secretary or Director or by a biosecurity officer or other public officer for the purposes of this Act is presumed, until the contrary is proved, to have been duly executed or signed by that person; and 

(b) a copy of or extract from a document issued by the Minister, Permanent Secretary or Director or by a biosecurity officer or other public officer, and certified by the Director or person to be true and correct is, unless the contrary is proved –

(i) presumed to be a true and correct copy or extract; and 

(ii) on its production in court be prima facie proof of any matter contained in it. 

(2) In any proceedings under this Act –

(a) a certificate, in a form approved by the Director, of the results of any test conducted on an article by the person who conducted the test may be tendered in evidence and is prima facie evidence of the facts stated in it; and 

(b) a certificate of analysis of a sample of any article or thing may be tendered in evidence and is prima facie evidence of the facts stated in it if the procedure prescribed in relation to the sample has been substantially followed. 

(3) Section 80 governs the evidential status of the biosecurity register and records kept under this Act.

Publication of orders and giving of notices

104. (1) The Director may require any gazetted regulations or orders made under this Act to be –

(a) published on the Ministry or other Government website, if any; 

(b) broadcast in a summary or news form on any radio or television station that broadcasts in the affected area; 

(c) published in a summary or news form in any newspaper that circulates in the affected area; or 

(d) made available at any Government or provincial government offices that are in or adjacent to the affected area, 

(2) Regulations and orders may be made available to the public for inspection or purchase.

(3) Unless otherwise provided, and subject to subsection (4), any notice required by this Act to be given may be given electronically –

(a) by a person to the Director; or 

(b) by the Director to a person, if the person has given the Director an electronic address for receipt of such notices. 

(4) If service of a notice or other document on a person is to be proved in a court, it must be effected –

(a) by personal service on the person; or 

(b) by registered post to the address of the person given to the Director, in which case service is presumed to have been effected two days after posting. 

(5) The Director may give instructions and directions to biosecurity officers by electronic means. 

(6) A printed copy of an electronic record of a notice, instruction or direction given or received by electronic means is prima facie evidence of the notice if the record purports to have been made at the time of sending or receipt. 

Specifications

105. (1) The Director may in writing specify –

(a) documents and forms for use in connection with this Act, including the format of documents transmitted by electronic means; 

(b) the procedures for applying for and issuing permits and other documents; and 

(c) all other matters that can or must be specified, as provided for in this Act. 

(2) If a matter is prescribed by regulations or an order, the regulations or order take precedence over a specification on the same matter.

(3) Specifications must be entered in a biosecurity register maintained under section 79(2) and do not take effect until so entered.

(4) Section 80 governs the evidential status of a specification contained in a biosecurity register. 

(5) Unless otherwise provided, specification must be –

(a) published in the biosecurity register and at the offices of the Director; 

(b) published in any operations manual provided to biosecurity officers pursuant to section 75(1)(d); and 

(c) made available to the public for inspection or purchase. 

Regulations

106. (1) The Minister may make regulations not inconsistent with this Act for the effective implementation of this Act, and the performance of the biosecurity functions of the Government. 

(2) Without limiting subsection (1) or affecting any other regulation-making power in this Act, regulations made by the Minister may –

(a) prescribe fees and charges for the purposes of this Act; 

(b) prescribe the method of taking and analyzing samples, recording the results and disposing of the samples;

(c) prescribe the manner of disposal of abandoned goods under section 99; 

(d) prescribe the procedure for claiming compensation, and the rates payable, pursuant to section 100; 

(e) regulate the procedure on appeals under section 101;

(f) provide for the de-ratting of vessels, and the form of de-ratting certificate; 

(g) regulate the disposal of garbage and waste and second-hand clothing and bedding so as to minimise any biosecurity risk; 

(h) provide for the electronic filing of declarations and applications required by this Act and the electronic keeping of registers; 

(i) prescribe the language of documents required by this Act; 

(j) prescribe the manner and language of markings on containers of incoming and outgoing regulated articles; 

(k) prescribe the methods of handling, sealing, treating and disposing of containers of regulated articles; 

(l) provide for the placing and use of amnesty bins or other containers for regulated articles at points of entry; 

(m) subject to the approval of the civil aviation and maritime authorities, require a video film about biosecurity to be shown on all aircraft and vessels arriving in Solomon Islands and carrying passengers; 

(n) require treatment to be applied in respect of a vessel or aircraft before it arrives in Solomon Islands; 

(o) prescribe additional measures, consistent with this Act, to implement in Solomon Islands the standards and requirements relating to biosecurity of the IPPC, the OIE and the PPPO; and 

(p) prescribe any other matter which this Act requires to be prescribed or which is necessary for carrying out or giving effect to this Act. 

(3) Before making regulations under this section, the Minister must –

(a) obtain the advice of the Director; and 

(b) consult other government departments and statutory authorities as appropriate.

(4) Regulations made under this section may prescribe maximum penalties not exceeding a fine of 1,000,000 penalty units for an individual or 5,000,000 penalty units for a corporate body.

(5) The Minister may, after consultation with the Director, amend column 4 (fixed penalty) of the Schedule, by order in the Gazette.

Repeals and savings

107. (1) The Agricultural Quarantine Act (Cap. 34), and any subsidiary legislation made under it are repealed ("repealed laws"). 

(2) Subsidiary legislation made under the repealed laws that could be made under this Act continue in force as if made under this Act until amended, replaced or repealed under this Act, unless and to the extent that –

(a) the matter is provided for in this Act; and 

(b) the subsidiary legislation is inconsistent with the provisions of this Act or any other Act. 

(3) Provisions of regulations made under the repealed laws dealing with the treatment of animals, plants and their products on arrival in Solomon Islands –

(a) are deemed to have been made by the Director as specifications under section 26; 

(b) may be varied by the Director under that section; and 

(c) if included in a biosecurity register are governed by section 80 as to their evidential status.

(4) Delegations, directions, notices, agreements and other administrative actions or decisions issued or made by the Minister or any officer under the repealed laws which could be issued or made by the Minister or equivalent officers under this Act continue to have effect as if issued or made under this Act until varied or revoked under this Act. 

Transitional provisions

108. (1) Permits equivalent to import permits issued under any provision of the repealed law remain in force until they expire in accordance with their terms, or until revoked under this Act.

(2) Any bond, agreement, instrument or arrangement to which the Government is a party subsisting immediately before the commencement of this Act and relating to the biosecurity functions of the Government continues to have effect after that date and is enforceable by or against the Government as if it had been entered into under the provisions of this Act.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), any action, arbitration, proceeding or cause of action that relates to a biosecurity function of the Government and that immediately before the commencement of this Act is pending or existing by, against, or in favour of the Government, or to which the Government is a party, may be continued and enforced under the provisions of this Act.

(4) A prosecution for an offence committed against a repealed law must be brought and continued under that law. 

(5) A reference in another Act to an officer exercising functions is, to the extent possible, to be read as a reference to the Director or a biosecurity officer exercising equivalent functions under this Act. 

(6) The Minister may, within 12 months of commencement of this Act, make regulations to deal with any saving or transitional matter. 
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SCHEDULE

MAXIMUM PENALTIES AND FIXED PENALTIES

Item	Section and offence	Fine
(penalty units)	Fixed penalty (penalty units)	Imprisonment (m = months)	
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	
1	8(2) - Import prohibited pest/disease 
	1,000,000	3000	5yrs	
2	8(3) - Import regulated pest/disease 
	1,000,000	3000	5yrs	
3	9(5) - Import a prohibited article 
	1,000,000	3000	5yrs	
4	9(6) - Own or possess a prohibited article 
	500,000	3000	3yrs	
5	10(2) - Landing except at point of entry 
	500,000	3000	3yrs	
6	10(3) - Import except at point of entry 
	500,000	5000	3yrs	
7	10(5) -Depart except at point of departure 
	250,000	3000	3yrs	
8	10(6) - Export except at point of departure 
	250,000	3000	3yrs	
9	12(3) - Interference with holding area 
	500,000	3000	3yrs	
10	12(5) - Import without clearance 
	1,000,000	5000	5yrs	
11	14(3) - Fail to make arrival declaration 
	500,000	5000	3yrs	
12	15(5) - Fail to comply on arrival 
	500,000	5000	3yrs	
13	15(6) - Master fail to obtain landing clearance 
	1,000,000	10,000	5yrs	
14	15(7) - Crew or passenger unlawful landing 
	1,000,000	5000	5yrs	
15	17(2) - Interference with port quarantine area 
	500,000	3000	3yrs	
16	17(5) - Removing a port quarantine notice 
	500,000	3000	3yrs	
17	18(4) - Fail to conform to port quarantine 
	500,000	3000	3yrs	
18	20(2)(a) - Fail to allow search of vessel/aircraft 
	500,000	3000	3yrs	
19	20(2)(b) - Fail comply with request etc 
	500,000	3000	3yrs	
20	21(1)(a) - Fail to secure animal 
	500,000	5000	3yrs	
21	21(1)(b) -Fail to secure hatches 
	500,000	3000	3yrs	
22	21(7) - Discharge garbage 
	1,000,000	5000	5yrs	
23	21(8) - Discharge ballast/bilge 
	1,000,000	5000	5yrs	
24	21(3) - Fail to control garbage 
	500,000	5000	3yrs	
25	21(4) - Release of ship's stores 
	250,000	3000	3yrs	
26	22(6)(a) - Passenger fail to declare 
	250,000	3000	3yrs	
27	22(6)(b) - Fail to submit incoming baggage for inspection 
	250,000	3000	3yrs	
28	22(9) - Fail to submit outgoing articles for inspection etc
	250,000	3000	3yrs	
29	23(2) – Fail to make incoming goods available
	250,000	3,000	3yrs	
30	24(5) – Fail to allow import clearance inspection
	500,000	5000	3yrs	
31	30(4) – Fail to surrender revoked permit
	250,000	3000	3yrs	
32	32(4) – Contravene transit waiver
	250,000	3000	3yrs	
33	32(8) – Fail allow inspection in transit
	250,000	3000	3yrs	
34	33(2) – Fail to make outgoing goods available
	500,000	5000	3yrs	
35	34(2) – Export without clearance
	500,000	5000	3yrs	
36	39(3) – Refusal to move to quarantine
	500,000	5000	3yrs	
37	42(3) – Interference with quarantine station
	250,000	3000	3yrs	
38	43(4) – Unlawful release from quarantine
	500,000	5000	3yrs	
39	44(2) – Removing a quarantine notice
	250,000	3000	3yrs	
40	45(3) – Unlawfully release animal etc.
	1,000,000	5000	5yrs	
41	47(6) – Fail to make premises available
	500,000	3000	3yrs	
42	49(5) – Fail to open container etc.
	500,000	3000	3yrs	
43	51(3) – Refusal to provide samples
	250,000	3000	3yrs	
44	57(6) – Persons refusing to answer etc.
	500,000	3000	3yrs	
45	58(4) – Fail to cooperate with survey
	500,000	3000	3yrs	
46	62(5) – Movement in infested controlled area
	500,000	5000	5yrs	
47	67(4) – Fail to notify occurrence
	500,000	5000	2yrs	
48	71(3) – Breach of emergency directions
	1,000,000	10,000	5yrs	
49	74(8)(a) – Officer fail surrender ID
	20,000	---	---	
50	74(8)(b) - Forge etc. officer's ID
	20,000	---	12m	
51	91 – Dereliction of duty by officer
	20,000	---	6m	
52	92 – Obstruction etc. of an officer
	250,000	5000	5yrs	
53	93(1) – Forgery etc. of a document
	500,000	5000	5yrs	
54	93(2) – Producing a false document
	500,000	5000	5yrs	
55	93(3) – Unlawful use of official stamp or seal
	500,000	5000	5yrs	

Notes:
1. The fines and periods of imprisonment are maximum for individuals.

2. If the offence is committed by a body corporate, the maximum fine is 5 times that for an individual and there is no imprisonment - see section 97.

3. 'FP' means the fixed penalty for the offence under section 96. If no figure is shown, the fixed penalty option is not available. The FP for a body corporate is 5 times that shown.

4. The description of the offence in column 3 is for purposes of this Schedule only.
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