draft animals national and international movement and disease prevention act 2004 english 52 pages . this bill proposes to regulate the movement of animals into and out of antigua and barbuda with the aim of preventing and controlling the spread of certain prescribed animal diseases. the bill also seeks to ensure that animals are imported into or exported from antigua and barbuda in a safe and humane manner. the bill is divided into eight 8 parts and fifty-seven clauses namely part i preliminarypreliminary part ii administrationadministration part iii importation and exportation of animals and animal-related items part ivanimal quarantine part vcontrol and destruction of diseased animals part vipowers of inspectors part viienforcement part viiilegal and general clauses 11 to 13 of the bill deal with import permits the inspection of animal and animal products at ports of entry and the times for such inspection. the bill makes provision under clause 13 for emergency inspection of goods in transit through antigua and barbuda or for perishable goods to be inspected on an application by the importer. clause 14 gives wide powers to inspectors at ports of entry to deal with animal and animal related goods which arrive without the relevant documentation or where such goods pose a threat to the spread of disease. inspectors powers include treatment or disinfection re-exportation confiscation or destruction after the importer is duly notified. where the animal or goods remain unclaimed for two or more weeks the costs associated with the destruction of the animal or animal-related items shall be borne by the importer except in special circumstances where the government assumes responsibility for the costs incurred. clause 15 is a penalty clause and any person who imports an animal or animal related item into antigua and barbuda without the necessary permit or who contravenes terms or conditions contained in an import permit commits an offence punishable on summary conviction to a fine of 5000.00 or imprisonment for 2 years. the authority is also empowered to forfeit the goods to the state to retain or destroy or to otherwise dispose of as the minister may direct. clause 16 spells out the procedure to be followed where any person seeks to export animal or animal related items from antigua and barbuda. the exporter must ensure that documentation fees and certificates for export are in order. under clause 17 the bill imposes a duty on the minister to ensure the safe and humane treatment of animals to be moved from antigua and barbuda. further the minister may delay the departure of an animal pending an investigation and in extreme cases may order the destruction of the animal to prevent the spread of a prescribed disease