Sheep and Goats (Spongiform Encephalopathy) Order (Northern Ireland) 1998

Restrictions on movement of, and imposition of requirements relating to, affected or suspected animals

5.—(1) If, in the course of any investigation under regulation 3 of the Sheep and Goats Regulations, or otherwise, a veterinary inspector or an officer of the Department is of the opinion that there is an affected or a suspected animal, or the carcase of such an animal, on the premises, he shall serve on the person in possession or in charge of that animal or carcase a notice in the form prescribed in Schedule 1.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), a notice in the form prescribed in Schedule 1 shall remain in force for a period of 28 days from the date specified in the notice unless—

(a) before or on the day on which the notice served under paragraph (1) was due to expire, it is renewed for a further period of 28 days beginning with the day on which it would otherwise have expired by a further notice served by a veterinary inspector on the person in possession or charge of such animal or carcase; or

(b) the animal or carcase to which the notice relates has been removed from the premises under the authority of and in accordance with the conditions of a licence granted by the Department.

(3) A notice in the form prescribed in Schedule 1 which has been renewed under paragraph (2)(a) may be further renewed from time to time by a veterinary inspector in a similar manner and for a similar period.

(4) A notice in the form prescribed in Schedule 1 may at any time be withdrawn by a notice in the form prescribed in Schedule 2 served by a veterinary inspector on the person in possession or charge of the animal or carcase to which the notice prescribed in Schedule 1 relates.

(5) On the service of a notice in the form prescribed in Schedule 1 the requirements contained in that notice shall have effect.

(6) The Department may seize and detain an affected or suspected animal or carcase which has been exposed, carried, kept or otherwise dealt with in contravention of the requirements of a notice under this Article.

(7) The occupier of any premises in respect of which a notice referred to in paragraph (1) has been served, his employees and any person who is or has been in possession or charge of any animal or carcase which is or has been on the premises, shall—

(a) provide such reasonable facilities and comply with such reasonable requirements as are necessary for the purposes referred to in paragraph (1); and

(b) if so required by a veterinary inspector or an officer of the Department, give such information as he possesses as to—

(i) any sheep, goat or carcase which is or has been on the premises;

(ii) any other animal or carcase of such other animal with which any sheep, goat or carcase which is or has been on the premises may have come into contact; and

(iii) the location and movement of any sheep, goat or carcase which is or has been in his possession or charge.