OpenLegislation

Animal Health Act 1981 in England

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 Part 2A: Scrapie Repealed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 Sheep genotypes Repealed
  63. 36APower of Secretary of State to specify sheep genotypes Repealed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 Genetically susceptible sheep Repealed
  65. 36BIdentification of genetically susceptible sheep Repealed
  66. 36CRestrictions on breeding from genetically susceptible sheep Repealed
  67. 36DAppeals Repealed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 Enforcement Repealed
  69. 36ESecretary of State’s powers of enforcement Repealed
  70. 36FOffences Repealed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