Explanatory note

This Order repeals and replaces the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Controlled Area) (No. 6) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 which imposed, with variations and exceptions, the restrictions contained in Part III of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Order (Northern Ireland) 1962 in Northern Ireland.

This Order further varies the controls set out in the fifth Schedule to the 1962 Order. The principal change is the removal of the prohibition on hunting with horses or dogs.

Any person who, without lawful authority or excuse, proof of which shall lie on him, contravenes any provision of this Order shall be guilty of an offence against the Diseases of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 and shall be liable, on summary conviction, either to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (currently £5,000) or in the case of an offence committed with respect to more than 5 animals, not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (currently £1,000) for each animal.