1. This order, which may be cited as The Importation of Animal Pathogens Order 1980, shall apply throughout Great Britain, and shall come into operation on 1st October 1980.
2. For the purpose of the Act, in its application to this order—
(a)the definition of the expression “poultry” in section 84(2) of the Act is hereby extended so as to comprise quails, and
(b)the definition of the expression “disease” in section 84(3)(a) and (b) of the Act is hereby extended so as to comprise any disease of animals or birds.
3. In this order, unless the context otherwise requires—
“the Act” means
“animals” means
“animal pathogen” means
“appropriate Minister” in the application of this order to England, means
“carrier” means
“importation”
“licence” means
“vehicle”
4.—(1) The importation into Great Britain of an animal pathogen or carrier is hereby prohibited except under the authority of a licence in writing issued by the appropriate Minister and in accordance with the conditions of that licence.
(2) A licence may be either general or specific and may, in either case, be issued subject to such conditions specified therein as the appropriate Minister may see fit to impose for the purpose of preventing the introduction or spreading of disease into or within Great Britain.
(3) A general licence shall be issued by the publication of it in such manner and to such extent as appears to the appropriate Minister to be sufficient to bring it to the notice of those persons likely to be affected by it.
(4) The appropriate Minister may vary, revoke or suspend a licence—
(a)in the case of a general licence by a notice published, so far as practicable, in the same manner and to the same extent as the licence; and
(b)in the case of a specific licence by a notice in writing served on the person to whom the licence was issued.
(5) A person who has in his possession an animal pathogen or carrier which he knows to have been imported in contravention of the provisions of this order shall with all practicable speed report the fact together with any other relevant information connected therewith to a veterinary inspector.
5. The prohibition contained in article 4(1) of this order shall not apply to the importation of any animal pathogen or carrier contained in a medicinal product which may be imported in accordance with the provisions of section 7 of the Medicines Act 1968 or section 32 of that Act.
6.—(1) Where an inspector has reasonable grounds for suspecting that an animal pathogen or carrier has been imported in contravention of this order or of a condition of a licence granted hereunder he may at any time seize, or cause to be seized, such pathogen, carrier or any material in which he reasonably suspects such pathogen to have been imported or into which he reasonably suspects it to have been subsequently introduced.
(2) A veterinary inspector may, if he considers it expedient to do so for the purpose of preventing the introduction or spreading of disease into or within Great Britain, detain or treat any pathogen, carrier or material, destroy any pathogen, carrier or material or slaughter any carrier seized under paragraph (1) above without compensation.
(3) A veterinary inspector may, by notice in writing served upon the occupier of any premises or place, or upon the owner or person in charge of any vehicle in which any pathogen, carrier or material is or has been present in contravention of this order or of a licence, require the person on whom the notice was served to cleanse and disinfect such premises, place or vehicle in such manner as he may by such notice specify at the expense of the person on whom the notice is served.
(4) Where, by virtue of a notice served under paragraph (3) above, any vehicle is required to be cleansed and disinfected, a veterinary inspector may detain that vehicle until the requirements of the notice have been complied with.
(5) Where the requirements of a notice served under paragraph (3) above have not been complied with, a veterinary inspector may carry out or cause to be carried out the cleansing and disinfecting specified in the notice and for this purpose a veterinary inspector may, on production of his written authority on demand, enter any land, premises, place, vehicle or container taking with him such persons as he considers requisite. A veterinary inspector entering under this paragraph shall, if required by the owner or the person in charge of the land, premises, place, vehicle or container, state his reasons for entering.
(6) A veterinary inspector may vary, revoke, or suspend a notice served under paragraph (3) above by a notice in writing served on the person on whom the notice to be varied, revoked or suspended was served.
(7) The person on whom a notice is served under paragraph (3) above shall give all reasonable assistance to a veterinary inspector and any person accompanying him so as to enable the powers conferred by this order to be properly exercised.
(8) Any expenses reasonably incurred by an inspector in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by paragraphs (1), (2), (4) and (5) above shall be recoverable by the appropriate Minister or local authority as a civil debt from the person on whom the notice was served.
7. Any person acting under the authority of a licence issued under this order shall, on demand made under this order by an officer of Customs and Excise, or by a veterinary inspector or an officer of the appropriate Minister or by an inspector of a local authority, or by a constable produce that licence and allow a copy thereof or an extract therefrom to be taken and shall, if required, furnish his name and address.
8. Any person who contravenes any provision of this order or of a licence or of a notice served under this order, or who fails to comply with any such provision, or with any condition of a licence, or who causes or permits any such contravention or non-compliance commits an offence against the Act.
9. Section 3 of the Diseases of Animals Act 1975 (prosecution on indictment of certain offences connected with importation) shall apply to an offence which consists of—
(a)the importation into Great Britain of an animal pathogen or carrier in contravention of the provisions of article 4(1) above with intent to evade those provisions, or
(b)the failure by any person to observe any condition of a licence with intent to evade such condition.
10. The provisions of this order shall, except where otherwise expressly provided, be executed and enforced by the local authority.
11. Nothing in this order shall affect the powers of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to seize or detain as liable to forfeiture under the Customs and Excise Acts any pathogen or carrier which is imported into Great Britain in contravention of this order or of a licence or to institute legal proceedings under those Acts in respect of such contravention.
In Witness whereof the Official Seal of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is hereunto affixed on 6th August 1980.
L.S.
Peter Walker
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
George Younger
Secretary of State for Scotland
7th August 1980
Nicholas Edwards
Secretary of State for Wales
11th August 1980