The African Horse Sickness (Scotland) Order 2012

PART 4 Slaughterhouses

Imposition of initial controls at slaughterhouses

14.—(1) This article applies—

(a) where—

(i) the authorised veterinary inspector has been notified under article 5 that it is suspected that a horse or carcase at a slaughterhouse is infected with African horse sickness virus; and

(ii) a veterinary inspector considers that further investigation relating to the possible presence of African horse sickness virus is necessary; or

(b) where for any other reason a veterinary inspector considers that further investigation relating to the possible presence of African horse sickness virus at a slaughterhouse is necessary.

(2) Where paragraph (1)(a) applies, the veterinary inspector must inform (orally or otherwise) the person who gave the notification that further investigation is necessary, and the controls in paragraph (5) then apply.

(3) The veterinary inspector must then go to the slaughterhouse and examine the notified horse or carcase, and may examine any other horse or carcase there, as the veterinary inspector considers appropriate.

(4) Where paragraph (1)(b) applies, the veterinary inspector may by notice served on the person in charge of the slaughterhouse impose the controls in paragraph (5).

(5) The controls are that the person in charge of the slaughterhouse must ensure that—

(a) no horse or carcase is moved from the slaughterhouse;

(b) any notified horse, and any other horse from the same premises as the notified horse, is not slaughtered unless instructed to do so by the veterinary inspector; and

(c) if any notified horse or any horse from the same premises as a notified horse has already been, or is subsequently, slaughtered or has died, its carcase is specifically identified and retained at the slaughterhouse until the veterinary inspector has examined it, and taken samples if considered necessary.

Action following examination

15.—(1) This article applies where the veterinary inspector has acted under article 14(3).

(2) If the veterinary inspector is satisfied that African horse sickness virus does not exist in any horse or carcase at the slaughterhouse the veterinary inspector must confirm this (orally or otherwise) to the person in charge of the slaughterhouse.

(3) If the presence of African horse sickness virus cannot be ruled out, the veterinary inspector—

(a) may by notice served on the person in charge of the slaughterhouse vary the controls applicable under article 14(2) or imposed by notice under article 14(4); and

(b) may take and have tested samples to establish the presence of that virus at the slaughterhouse(1).

(4) If the Chief Veterinary Officer is satisfied that tests carried out under this article demonstrate that African horse sickness virus is not present in the slaughterhouse the veterinary inspector must confirm this (orally or otherwise) to the person in charge of the slaughterhouse.

(5) Where confirmation is given under paragraph (2) or (4), any—

(a) controls applicable under article 14(2) (and, where applicable, as varied under paragraph (3)(a)) cease to have effect; and

(b) notice served under article 14(4) (and, where applicable, as varied under paragraph (3)(a)) is revoked.

(1)

See also the power of the Scottish Ministers under article 17 to declare a temporary control zone.