Blue Tongue Order (Northern Ireland) 2003

Interpretation

2.—(1) In this Order –

“animal” means a ruminating animal;

“carcase” means the carcase of a ruminating animal;

“confirmation of disease” means a declaration by the Department that the blue tongue virus is circulating in a specific area;

“the disease” means blue tongue;

“diseased” means affected with the disease;

“Divisional Veterinary Officer” means a Divisional Veterinary Officer of the Department appointed for the time being by the Department to receive information about animals or carcases diseased or suspected of being diseased for the area in which such animals or carcases are situated;

“embryo” means the embryo of a ruminating animal;

“infected area” means an area declared by the Department under Article 10(1) to be an area infected with the disease;

“keeper” means any natural or legal person having ownership of, or charged with keeping animals, whether or not for financial reward;

“ovum” means the ovum of a ruminating animal;

“premises” includes land, vehicles, vessels and aircraft;

“semen” means the semen of a ruminating animal;

“sentinel animals” means animals which do not have antibodies to the disease and which are used for surveillance for it;

“thing” includes a carcase, embryo, ovum, semen, fodder, litter, dung, straw, slurry, utensil, pen, hurdle, vehicle, equipment and clothing;

“vector” means an insect of the species Culicoides imicola or any other insect of the genus Culicoides which, in the opinion of the Chief Veterinary Officer, is capable of transmitting blue tongue;

“vessel” has the meaning given to “ship” by the Merchant Shipping Act 1995(1).

(2) Any approval, licence, notice or direction under this Order shall be in writing, may be subject to conditions and may be amended, suspended or revoked by notice in writing at any time.

(1)

1995 c. 21 s. 170