§ 1461 - Import documentation required
§ 1461. Import documentation required
(a) Import permit. No person shall import, or cause to be imported into this state, any domestic animal except dogs and cats, without first obtaining an import permit from the secretary, except as the secretary may provide by rule. Permits shall be issued on forms provided by the secretary. Within ten days of importing an animal into Vermont, the importer shall return the import permit, detailing all information which the secretary may reasonably require, to the Vermont agency of agriculture, food and markets. Persons importing horses shall not be required to obtain an import permit under this subsection unless there is a substantial danger of the introduction of a contagious disease into this state. In such case the secretary may require import permits for horses by emergency rule.
(b) Certificates of veterinary inspection. No person shall import, or cause to be imported, any domestic animal into this state without first obtaining a certificate of veterinary inspection, except as the secretary may provide by rule. The certificate shall be issued by an accredited and licensed veterinarian in the state, or country, of origin. The certificate shall contain a statement by the chief livestock official for that state certifying that the veterinarian, who executed the certificate, is licensed to practice veterinary medicine in that state or country and is accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture to sign certificates of veterinary inspection. The certificate shall be issued on a form prescribed by the state of origin, and declare that all of the animals listed have been inspected, tested or both inspected and tested, as required by the laws of Vermont. The certificate shall also set forth the name and address of the owner of any animal transferred pursuant to the certificate. One copy of the certificate shall accompany the animals during transportation, and one copy shall be filed with the secretary.
(c) Exemption. The secretary may, by rule, exempt from the provisions of this section transactions concerning domestic animals transported into this state for immediate slaughter. A person who so imports an animal without permit and then does not immediately slaughter the animal shall be subject to the provisions of this section. (Added 1987, No. 276 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 1991, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 5, 1992; 1995, No. 39, § 2, eff. April 17, 1995; 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003.)