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Exchange of Notes between the Government of Canada and the Government of France concerning the Construction, Maintenance and Operation of a Cattle Quarantine Station in the Territory of St. Pierre and Miquelon [1969] CATSer 4 (3 April 1969)

E103064 - CTS 1969 No.10

EXCHANGE OF NOTES BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF FRANCE CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF A CATTLE QUARANTINE STATION IN THE TERRITORY OF ST. PIERRE AND MIQUELON

I

The Ambassador of France to Canada to the Secretary of State for External Affairs

(Translation)

EMBASSY OF FRANCE IN CANADA

Ottawa, April 3, 1969

The Honourable Mitchell Sharp,
Secretary of State for External Affairs,
Ottawa

Sir,

I have the honour of referring to the exchanges of views which took place during 1968 between the representatives of the competent French and Canadian authorities. During these exchanges, it appeared that it would be desirable to establish a quarantine station in the Territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon in order to facilitate the importation into Canada of breeding cattle of French origin.

To this effect, the following provisions were drawn up by common agree­ments:

(1) The French authorities shall build and fit out a quarantine station in Saint Pierre, on a site to be agreed upon. This station shall meet standards equivalent to those in force in Canada for so-called “maximum security” sta­tions. The French Government shall ensure the equipping and maintenance of the said station and shall supply it with all the necessary services, including electricity, water and heating.

(2) The Governor of the Territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon shall en­sure the direction and administrative management of the quarantine station. Under his general authority, the competent services of the Canadian Govern­ment shall assume responsibility for the direction of veterinary operations in the quarantine station and shall, to this end, provide a divisional head and qualified staff.

(3) For the implementation of the present agreement, a Joint Franco­-Canadian Committee shall be formed; this Committee shall advise the competent French and Canadian authorities on all questions concerning the establishment, equipping and maintenance of the quarantine station and the protection of the animals of Saint Pierre and Miquelon against any risk of introduction of epizootic diseases. The Committee shall be made up of an equal number of representatives from the Canadian Department of Agriculture and the French Ministry of Agriculture.

(4) All cattle arriving in the Territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon shall be subject to quarantine in accordance with the rules and conditions established following agreement by the Joint Committee for the Saint Pierre station; these rules and conditions shall be equivalent to those set for all cattle arriving in Canada.

(5) With regard to importation into Canada, no health restrictions shall be imposed on cattle other than the inspection undergone by animals coming out of so-called “maximum security” stations under the authority of Canada’s Veterinary Director General, on condition that these cattle have previously passed the prescribed period of time in the Saint Pierre quarantine station and have met the required tests and examinations and also on condition that the cattle in the Territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon are not suffering from any serious epizootic disease.

(6) If, in the opinion of the Joint Committee, inspections appear necessary or desirable to determine the state of health of the cattle of Saint Pierre and Miquelon under the circumstances provided for in the preceding paragraph, the French authorities shall provide the representatives of the Canadian Department of Agriculture with every facility to examine these cattle and to subject them to appropriate veterinary inspection.

(7) (a) The Canadian Department of Agriculture shall send to the Territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and shall maintain there, the veterinary personnel and assistants necessary to ensure the efficient operation of veterinary services at the station. For the duration of their mission, these persons and members of their families living with them shall be exempt from the formality of a visa for entering and leaving the Territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. The French authorities shall provide these persons and members of their families, free of charge, with working permits and registration certificates, if the legislation in force requires the possession of such documents.

(b) The salaries, allowances, compensation and ether remuneration paid by the Government of Canada to Canadian staff working at the quarantine sta­tion shall be exempted from any income taxes or similar taxes by the competent French authorities.

(8) The implements, equipment and supplies imported from Canada to Saint Pierre and Miquelon for use in the quarantine station or for the personal use of the Canadian employees and members of their families living with them may be brought in under the system of temporary entry. Feed destined for the quarantine station shall be exempt from all import duties, taxes and other charges.

(9) The quarantine station may receive any cattle arriving in Saint Pierre and Miquelon, whatever the country of origin or the destination. Whenever it is necessary or desirable, the representatives of veterinary services other than those of the contracting Parties shall be admitted to the quarantine station. All persons entering this station must undergo the establishment’s normal entrance inspection.

(10) (a) For each animal admitted to the station, with the exception of control animals, the competent French authorities shall charge importers a quarantine fee, determined beforehand by agreement between the two governments.

(b) The costs of health inspection, special tests, care and feeding shall be paid to the head of the station’s veterinary service by the importer.

(11) The present agreement is entered into for a period of five years, beginning on the date on which it comes into effect, and, except in the event of notice of termination by one of the contracting Parties, twelve months before expiry of the aforesaid agreement, shall be tacitly renewed from year to year.

If the provisions above are approved by the Canadian government, this letter, and the letter which Your Excellency will be kind enough to send me in reply, shall constitute the agreement between the two governments on the establishment of a quarantine station in Saint Pierre and Miquelon. This agree­ment shall come into force on the date of your reply.

Accept, Sir, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

Pierre Siraud

II

The Secretary of State for External Affairs to the Ambassador of France to Canada

DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Ottawa, April 3, 1969

His Excellency Pierre Siraud,
Ambassador of France,
Ottawa

Excellency,

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of April 3 concerning the establishment of a quarantine station for breeding cattle on the Territory of St. Pierre and Miquelon. I have the pleasure to inform you that the proposals contained in your letter are acceptable to the Government of Canada and to confirm that your letter and this reply, which is authentic in English and French, shall constitute an agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of France for the establishment and operation of the aforesaid quarantine station. This agreement shall enter into force on the date of this reply.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

Mitchell Sharp