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Animal Health Act 1981

1981 c. 22 · Enacted 11 June 1981 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 3 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 24 July 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 92(3)words substitutedBankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 Sch. 5 para. 11
Sch. 1 para. 6words repealedCriminal Justice Act 2003 Sch. 37 Pt. 9
s. 37-39repealedAnimal Welfare Act 2006 Sch. 4

An Act to consolidate the Diseases of Animals Act 1935, the Diseases of Animals Act 1950, the Ponies Act 1969, the Rabies Act 1974, the Diseases of Animals Act 1975, and certain related enactments.

[11th June 1981]C1C2C3C4C5C6C7C8C9C10C11

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act (except s. 57(1)): Functions transferred (27.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/3141, arts. 2(1), 3, Sch. (with s. 2(5))

C2

Act: Certain functions transferred (W.) (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

C3

Act extended by Animal Health and Welfare Act 1984 (c. 40, SIF 2:8), s. 3

Act extended (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1997/757, art. 13

Act extended (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1997/758, art. 22

Act extended (15.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/882, reg. 9(3)-(5)

Act extended (E.) (1.9.2000) by S.I. 2000/2055, art. 22

Act extended (E.) (1.9.2000) by S.I. 2000/2056, art. 13

Act extended (E.) (11.2.2002) (temp. until 1.12.2002) by S.I. 2002/242, arts. 1, 12

C4

Act modified (W.) (19.2.2003) by Bluetongue (Wales) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/326), art. 14 (with art. 4)

C5

Act certain functions transferred (31.12.2004) by The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/3044), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 (with art. 3)

C6

Act modified (E.) (27.4.2006 at 6.00 p.m.) by Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin In Mammals (England) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1197), art. 5(3)

C7

Act definitions extended (E.) (28.4.2008) by Specified Animal Pathogens Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/944), art. 2

C8

Act powers extended (W.) (10.5.2008) by The Specified Animal Pathogens (Wales) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1270), art. 6, Sch. 2

C9

Act definitions extended (W.) (10.5.2008) by The Specified Animal Pathogens (Wales) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1270), art. 2

C10

Act definitions extended (S.) (1.3.2009) by Specified Animal Pathogens (Scotland) Order 2009 (S.S.I. 2009/45), art. 2

C11

Act applied in part (with modifications) (S.) (22.2.2021) by S.I. 1989/285, art. 4(3), Sch. 1 (as inserted by The Zoonoses Amendment (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Order 2021 (S.S.I. 2021/83), arts. 1, 2(3)(c))

Contents

  1. Part I: General
  2. General powers of Ministers to make orders and to authorise regulations
  3. 1General powers of Ministers to make orders.
  4. 2Local authority regulations.
  5. Eradication and prevention of disease
  6. 3Expenditure for eradication.
  7. 4Offences as to s. 3.
  8. 5Veterinary services and therapeutic substances.
  9. 6Eradication areas and attested areas.
  10. 6ABiosecurity guidance
  11. 6BBiosecurity compliance
  12. 6CBiosecurity codes: Scotland
  13. 6DEmergency biosecurity orders: Scotland
  14. 6ETests and samples: Scotland
  15. 6FSamples: further testing
  16. Cleansing and movement
  17. 7Cleansing and disinfection.
  18. 8Movement generally.
  19. 8AAnimal gatherings: Scotland
  20. Transport by sea and air
  21. 9Prohibition in specific cases.
  22. 10Importation.
  23. 10AAnnual review of import controls
  24. 11Export to member States.
  25. 12Export quarantine stations.
  26. Control of dogs, and preventive treatment of sheep
  27. 13Orders as to dogs.
  28. 14Prevention of sheep scab.
  29. Part II: Disease
  30. Outbreak
  31. 14ANational contingency plan
  32. 14BDuty to consider vaccination
  33. 15Separation and notice.
  34. 16Treatment after exposure to infection.
  35. 16ASlaughter of vaccinated animals
  36. 16BSlaughter of treated animals: Scotland
  37. Infection
  38. 17Powers as to infected places and areas.
  39. 18Other provisions as to infected places and areas.
  40. 19Destruction of foxes etc. on rabies infection.
  41. 20Additional provisions under s. 17 on rabies infection.
  42. 21Destruction of wild life on infection other than rabies.
  43. 22Powers of entry etc. for s. 21.
  44. 23Orders as to infected places and areas.
  45. 24Rabies: quarantine and virus control.
  46. 25Movement of diseased or suspected animals.
  47. 26Pleuro-pneumonia or foot-and-mouth disease found in transit.
  48. 27Exclusion of strangers.
  49. 28Seizure of diseased or suspected animals.
  50. 28ADeliberate infection
  51. 28BDeliberate infection: disqualification
  52. 28CDeliberate infection: Scotland
  53. 28DDeliberate infection: deprivation of entitlement to compensation
  54. 28EDeliberate infection: deprivation orders
  55. 28FDeliberate infection: disqualification orders
  56. 28GSeizure orders where disqualification breached
  57. 28HSuspension of orders pending appeal
  58. 28ISpecified diseases: Scotland
  59. Risk to human health
  60. 29Control of zoonoses.
  61. 30Provisions supplemental to s. 29.
  62. Slaughter
  63. 31Slaughter in certain diseases.
  64. 32Slaughter in other diseases.
  65. 32ASlaughter to prevent spread of disease
  66. 32BDisease control (slaughter) protocol
  67. 32CProtocol: exercise of powers
  68. 32DExplanation of preventive slaughter
  69. 32ESlaughter for preventing spread of disease: Scotland
  70. 32FDisease control (slaughter) statement: Scotland
  71. 33Additional staff and expenses.
  72. 34Slaughter and compensation generally.
  73. Carcases etc. liable to spread disease
  74. 35Seizure and disposal of carcases etc.
  75. 36Compensation for seizure.
  76. 36ZASeizure of carcases etc.: further provision for Scotland
  77. 36ZBCompensation for seizure
  78. Part 2A: Scrapie Repealed
  79. Sheep genotypes Repealed
  80. 36APower of Secretary of State to specify sheep genotypes Repealed
  81. Genetically susceptible sheep Repealed
  82. 36BIdentification of genetically susceptible sheep Repealed
  83. 36CRestrictions on breeding from genetically susceptible sheep Repealed
  84. 36DAppeals Repealed
  85. Enforcement Repealed
  86. 36ESecretary of State’s powers of enforcement Repealed
  87. 36FOffences Repealed
  88. Power of entry Repealed
  89. 36GPower of entry Repealed
  90. 36HWarrants Repealed
  91. 36ISupplementary Repealed
  92. 36JOffences Repealed
  93. General Repealed
  94. 36KCompensation Repealed
  95. 36LOrders and Regulations Repealed
  96. 36MInterpretation Repealed
  97. Part 2B: TSE: Scotland
  98. Livestock genotypes
  99. 36NPower to specify livestock genotypes and TSEs
  100. 36OAscertaining genotypes and identifying livestock
  101. 36PRestrictions on breeding
  102. 36QReview
  103. Enforcement
  104. 36RScottish Ministers' powers of enforcement
  105. 36SOffences
  106. Powers of slaughter
  107. 36TPowers of slaughter: TSE
  108. Powers of entry
  109. 36UPowers of entry
  110. Compensation
  111. 36VCompensation
  112. General
  113. 36WOrders and regulations
  114. 36XInterpretation
  115. Part III: Welfare and Export
  116. Care
  117. 37Prevention of suffering.
  118. 38Food and water.
  119. Export
  120. 39Export of animals generally.
  121. Export of horses other than those defined as ponies
  122. 40Restriction on export of horses. Repealed
  123. Export of horses defined as ponies
  124. 41Restriction on export of ponies. Repealed
  125. 42Restriction on export of registered ponies. Repealed
  126. 43Regulation of export of ponies. Repealed
  127. Other provisions as to export of horses
  128. 44Slaughter on examination of inspection. Repealed
  129. 45Marking of horses certified for export. Repealed
  130. 46Slaughter of injured horses. Repealed
  131. 47Exemption of thoroughbreds in transit. Repealed
  132. 48Certificates. Repealed
  133. 49Enforcement and interpretation. Repealed
  134. Part IV: Local Authorities
  135. 50Local authorities for purposes of this Act.
  136. 51Local authorities and their districts.
  137. 52Inspectors and other officers.
  138. 53Borrowing powers.
  139. 54Provision of wharves etc.
  140. 55Power to acquire land.
  141. 56Public facilities for sheep dipping.
  142. 57Burial of carcases washed ashore.
  143. 58Regulations.
  144. 59Default.
  145. Part V: Enforcement, Offences and Proceedings
  146. Enforcement
  147. 60Duties and authorities of constables. Repealed
  148. 61Powers of arrest as to rabies. Powers of entry and search in relation to rabies offences
  149. 62Entry and search under s. 61. Entry and search in exercise of powers to seize animals
  150. 62ASlaughter: power of entry
  151. 62BSlaughter: warrants
  152. 62CSlaughter: supplementary
  153. 62DTests and samples: power of entry
  154. 62ETests and samples: warrants
  155. 62FTests and samples: supplementary
  156. 62GPowers of entry etc.: Scotland
  157. 62HWarrants
  158. 62IEntry and warrants: supplementary
  159. 63General powers of inspectors.
  160. 64Powers of inspectors as to poultry.
  161. 64APowers of inspectors relating to assimilated law
  162. 65Power to detain vessels and aircraft.
  163. 65AInspection of vehicles
  164. 65BInspection of vehicles: Scotland
  165. 66Refusal and obstruction.
  166. 66ARefusal and obstruction of inspector
  167. Offences as to licences, declarations, certificates and instruments
  168. 67Issue of false licences etc.
  169. 68Issue of licences etc. in blank.
  170. 69Falsely obtaining licences etc.
  171. 70Alteration of licences etc.
  172. 71Other offences as to licences.
  173. Offences generally
  174. 71AProsecutions: time limit
  175. 72Offences made and declared by and under this Act.
  176. 73General offences.
  177. Further provisions as to punishment of offences
  178. 74Liability under the customs and excise Acts.
  179. 75Penalties for certain summary offences
  180. 76Certain importation offences triable either summarily or on indictment.
  181. 76AFixed penalty notices
  182. Proceedings
  183. 77Money recoverable summarily.
  184. 78Appeal.
  185. 79Evidence and procedure.
  186. Part VI: Supplemental
  187. Reports and information
  188. 80Yearly return to Parliament.
  189. 81Reports to Minister.
  190. 82Information from Agricultural Marketing Boards.
  191. Notices, fees, and exemption from stamp duty
  192. 83Form and service of instruments.
  193. 83AElectronic communication: Scotland
  194. 84Fees.
  195. 85Exemption from stamp duty.
  196. Interpretation, functions, and orders etc.
  197. 86Ministers and their functions.
  198. 87Meaning of “animals” and “poultry”.
  199. 88Meaning of “disease”.
  200. 89Other interpretation provisions.
  201. 90Application to hovercraft.
  202. 91Orders etc.
  203. Scotland and Northern Ireland
  204. 92General application to Scotland.
  205. 93Communications to and from Northern Ireland.
  206. Miscellaneous provisions as to operation
  207. 94Transitional.
  208. 95Savings.
  209. 96Consequential amendments and repeals.
  210. 97Short title, extent, and commencement.
  211. Schedule 1: Regulation of Manufacture of and Other Matters Connected with Veterinary Therapeutic Substances
  212. Substances to which this Schedule applies
  213. 1Paragraph 1
  214. Power to make orders as to substances to which this Schedule applies
  215. 2Paragraph 2
  216. Licences to manufacture
  217. 3Paragraph 3
  218. Licences to import
  219. 4Paragraph 4
  220. Therapeutic substances to which this Schedule applies
  221. 5Paragraph 5
  222. Offences under this Schedule
  223. 6Paragraph 6
  224. Schedule 2: Specific Matters with Respect to Which Provision may be made in Orders Under Section 10
  225. 1Paragraph 1
  226. 2Paragraph 2
  227. 3Paragraph 3
  228. 4Paragraph 4
  229. 4AParagraph 4A
  230. 5Paragraph 5
  231. 6Paragraph 6
  232. 7Paragraph 7
  233. 8Paragraph 8
  234. 9Paragraph 9
  235. 10Paragraph 10
  236. 11Paragraph 11
  237. 12Paragraph 12
  238. Schedule 2A: Specified diseases
  239. Paragraph
  240. Schedule 2BSpecified diseases: Scotland
  241. Schedule 3: Power to Slaughter in Relation to Certain Diseases
  242. Cattle plague
  243. 1Paragraph 1
  244. Pleuro-pneumonia
  245. 2Paragraph 2
  246. Foot-and-mouth disease
  247. 2AParagraph 2A
  248. 3Paragraph 3
  249. Swine-fever
  250. 4Paragraph 4
  251. Diseases of poultry
  252. 5Paragraph 5
  253. Schedule 3A: Power of slaughter for preventing spread of disease: Scotland
  254. Cattle plague
  255. 1Paragraph 1
  256. Pleuro-pneumonia
  257. 2Paragraph 2
  258. Foot-and-mouth disease
  259. 3Paragraph 3
  260. Swine-fever
  261. 4Paragraph 4
  262. Diseases of poultry
  263. 5Paragraph 5
  264. Additional power of slaughter
  265. 6Paragraph 6
  266. Exercise of powers of slaughter
  267. 7Paragraph 7
  268. Compensation
  269. 8Paragraph 8
  270. Orders
  271. 9Paragraph 9
  272. Schedule 4: Additional Provisions as to Food and Water at Railway Stations
  273. 1Paragraph 1
  274. 2Paragraph 2
  275. 3Paragraph 3
  276. 4Paragraph 4
  277. 5Paragraph 5
  278. 6Paragraph 6
  279. Schedule 5: Consequential Amendments
  280. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  281. Food and Drugs Act 1955
  282. 2Paragraph 2
  283. Food and Drugs (Scotland) Act 1956
  284. 3Paragraph 3
  285. Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1963
  286. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  287. London Government Act 1963
  288. 5Paragraph 5
  289. Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963
  290. 6Paragraph 6
  291. Agriculture Act I967
  292. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  293. Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968
  294. 8Paragraph 8
  295. Transport Act 1968
  296. 9Paragraph 9
  297. Agriculture Act 1970
  298. 10Paragraph 10
  299. Slaughterhouses Act 1974
  300. 11Paragraph 11
  301. Slaughter of Animals (Scotland) Act 1980
  302. 12Paragraph 12
  303. Schedule 6Repeals