OpenLegislation

Animal Health Act 1981 in Scotland

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 Sheep genotypes Repealed
  67. 36APower of Secretary of State to specify sheep genotypes Repealed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 Genetically susceptible sheep Repealed
  69. 36BIdentification of genetically susceptible sheep Repealed
  70. 36CRestrictions on breeding from genetically susceptible sheep Repealed
  71. 36DAppeals Repealed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 Enforcement Repealed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