Animal Health Act 2002

4 Explanation of preventive slaughter

In the 1981 Act the following section is inserted after section 32C (as inserted by section 3 above)—

“32D Explanation of preventive slaughter

(1) This section applies to a power exercisable by the Secretary of State under—

(a) paragraph 3(1)(c) of Schedule 3;

(b) any other provision of that Schedule as amended by an order under section 32A(1)(a).

(2) The Secretary of State must not exercise a power to which this section applies unless before he first exercises the power in relation to any description of circumstances he publishes his reasons in relation to the circumstances of that description—

(a) for the exercise of the power;

(b) for not exercising his power under section 16 to cause animals to be treated with serum or vaccine.

(3) If the Secretary of State does not comply with subsection (2) in relation to any description of circumstances anything done in connection with the exercise of the power in such circumstances must be taken to have been done without lawful authority.”