The Sheep Scab Order 1992

Veterinary enquiry as to the existence of sheep scab

7.—(1) If a veterinary inspector has reasonable grounds for suspecting that sheep scab exists or has within 56 days existed on any premises he shall, with all practicable speed, take such steps as may be necessary to establish the correctness of the suspicion.

(2) For the purposes of such an enquiry a veterinary inspectormay–

(a) make such tests and take such samples from any sheep or carcase on the premises as he may consider necessary for the purpose of diagnosis; and

(b) mark for identification purposes any sheep or carcase on the premises.

(3) The occupier of the premises, his employees and any person who is or has been in possession or charge of any sheep or carcase which is or has been on the premises shall–

(a) provide such reasonable facilities and comply with such reasonable requirements as are necessary for the purposes of the enquiry; and

(b) if so required by an inspector, give such information as he possesses as to–

(i) any sheep or carcase which is or has been on the premises, and

(ii) any other sheep or carcase which may have come into contact with any sheep or carcase described in sub-paragraph (i) above, and

(iii) the location and movement of any sheep or carcase which is or has been in his possession or charge.

(4) If, on completion of the enquiry, the veterinary inspector is of the opinion that sheep scab exists, or has within 56 days existed, on the premises his opinion shall be subject to confirmation by or on behalf of the Chief Veterinary Officer.

(5) If confirmation is given in accordance with paragraph (4) above–

(a) the veterinary inspector shall immediately serve a notice in Form D on the owner or person in charge of sheep or the premises; and

(b) any notice in Form A affecting the premises shall not be withdrawn by a notice in Form B until–

(i) a declaration in Form E made by the person on whom Form D is served that the sheep to which the notice relates has or have been dipped in accordance with the requirements of that notice; and

(ii) if Form D specifies, a certificate in Form E made by a veterinary surgeon that he has examined the sheep to which Form D relates in accordance with the requirements of that notice,

is furnished to the Divisional Veterinary Officer.

(6) Any notice in Form A affecting premises shall immediately be withdrawn by a notice in Form B served by an inspector of the Ministry on the person on whom the notice in Form A was served if the veterinary inspector is of the opinion that sheep scab does not exist, and has not within 56 days existed, on the premises or his opinion as to the existence of sheep scab on the premises is not confirmed in accordance with paragraph (4) above.

(7) The person on whom a notice in Form D is served shall treat the sheep to which the notice relates in the following manner, that is tosay–

(a) the sheep shall be dipped twice, the second dipping to occur at an interval of not less than 21 days after the first; and

(b) if a veterinary inspector so requires–

(i) any sheep clinically affected with sheep scab shall be treated with an approved sheep dip in accordance with directions given by him, and

(ii) any or all of the sheep shall from time to time be further dipped or treated in accordance with directions given by him.