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

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order.)

This Order gives effect in part to Article 2(1) and Article 3 of Commission Decision 98/272/EEC (O.J. No. L122, 24.4.98, p. 59) on epidemio-surveillance for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.

The Order also provides for—

(a) the compulsory notification of scrapie and any transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in sheep and goats and the laboratory findings of such diseases in the carcases of any sheep or goats (Article 4);

(b) the imposition of requirements in respect of affected or suspected animals or carcases (Article 5(1) and (2));

(c) the restrictions on movement of other sheep and goats by notice in writing (Article 6);

(d) the cleansing and disinfection of premises and equipment (Article 7);

(e) compensation arrangements for the seizure of carcases (Article 8);

(f) the production of licences on demand made by an inspector or constable (Article 9);

(g) notice of intended slaughter of sheep or goats (Article 10); and

(h) the amendment of the Specified Diseases (Notification and Movement Restrictions) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997 so that the Order no longer applies to scrapie in sheep and goats (Article 11).

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. The penalties for such an offence are, on summary conviction, 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.