Importation from the Republic of Ireland
6.—(1) Subject to paragraph (6) Articles 3 and 5 shall apply to any machinery or vehicle imported from the Republic of Ireland only while a direction under paragraph (2) is in force.
(2) If the Department has reason to believe that there is an outbreak of disease in the Republic of Ireland and it is necessary to act as a matter of urgency to prevent the introduction of disease into Northern Ireland the Department may direct by notice that the provisions of Articles 3 and 5 shall apply to any machinery or vehicle imported from the Republic of Ireland.
(3) Where the Department makes a direction under paragraph (2) the Department shall take all reasonable steps it considers necessary to bring the direction to the notice of any person who is likely to be affected by it.
(4) In any proceedings for an offence arising by virtue only of the direction, it shall be a defence that at the time the offence was committed the person had no reason to believe that the direction was in existence.
(5) A direction under this Article shall remain in force until revoked by the Department.
(6) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any machinery or vehicle imported through the Republic of Ireland from any other country.