Explanatory note

These regulations, which come into operation on 2nd November 1964, are made under section 17 of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1943. They prohibit the distribution or sale of boar semen without a licence from the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, except in three cases: insemination of a sow with semen owned by the same person, sale or transfer of semen by the old owner to the new owner of the boar, and delivery to and redelivery from a veterinary surgeon or practitioner or an artificial insemination centre for the purpose of storage.

Special provision is made for the licensing and regulation of artificial insemination centres for pigs, and for enabling the Minister to prohibit the distribution or sale of unsuitable semen by a person, whether he holds a licence or not. Restrictions are placed on the collection, movement and use of semen in certain areas subject to animal health restrictions in connection with the control of foot-and-mouth disease and swine fever.