Trade Facilitation Unit - Conditions for importation of Dog/Cat* food

The Bahamas currently has conditions to allow the importation of Dog/Cat* food from various countries. Having conducted an import risk analysis, the IRA recommends that the importation of Dog/Cat food to The Bahamas could be permitted subject to compliance with Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures to manage the quarantine risks of a range of significant diseases to a very low level, in line with WOAH guidelines. The IRA assessed all potential disease agents that may be introduced to The Bahamas via the importation of Dog/Cat food and SPS measures. These diseases include Bovine anaplasmosis, Bovine babesiosis, Bovine genital campylobacteriosis, Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC (Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia), Enzootic bovine leukosis, Haemorrhagic septicaemia (Pasteurella multocida serotypes 6:b and 6:e), Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/ infectious pustular vulvovaginitis, Lumpy skin disease virus, Theileria annulata, T. orientalis and T. parva, and Trichomonosis.Foot and mouth disease (FMD) Highly pathogenic avian influenza(HPAI) ,African Swine Fever(AFS) Based on this risk assessment The Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA) has developed conditions of import for Dog and c food consignments. They are outlined below.

All consignments of Dog/Cat Food must:

1. Meet the labelling requirements prescribed in Section 23 of the Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA), Food Safety and Quality Act (2016) in Appendix 1
2. Meet the import conditions for Dog/Cat food in Appendix 2

Labelling and advertising

1. No person shall offer for sale in The Bahamas any package of food unless the label thereon— is written in English;
   1. specifies the product name;
   2. specifies the date of manufacture and expiration;
   3. permits the traceability of the food as prescribed in regulations; and
   4. sets out such particulars as may be prescribed in regulations.
2. Where food that is not packaged is displayed for sale, it shall bear an identification mark.
   
3. The Director shall prescribe requirements for food advertising in accordance with applicable legislation.
4. Any foods not in compliance with the requirements under this section shall be confiscated by the Director.
5. Any person selling food in contravention of this section commits an offence and shall be liable to a fixed penalty as prescribed by regulations.

APPENDIX 2

Conditions for importation of Dog*/Cat* food

1. If a country, zone or compartment wishes to export:
   1. commercially prepared dog/cat food (defined as, food containing ingredients derived from animals and/or plants for the purpose of feeding dogs and/or cats), an original international veterinary certificate issued by the relevant authoritative body/organization must attest that the dog and cat food:
      1. only contains ingredients derived from animals and plants
      2. is manufactured by a high-temperature sterilization canning procedure, if canned
      3. have been processed to ensure the inactivation of any bacteria and viruses mentioned in this document.
      4. effective measures were taken to prevent the dog and cat food from being contaminated by pathogens throughout the manufacturing and packing process.

*Note that "Dog" means canine “Cats” feline that are considered pets