The Animals (Post-Import Control) Order 1993

Article 4(1)

SCHEDULE 1 CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO POST IMPORT ISOLATION PREMISES FOR CATTLE

1.  In the case of isolation in buildings:

(a) the building must be cleansed and disinfected prior to use;

(b) drainage from the building must not flow into any area or onto any land accessible to other stock;

(c) if the route of entry to the building is used by other stock it must be cleansed and disinfected both before use by imported cattle and immediately after they have been housed;

(d) during transfer of the imported cattle to the building there must be no contact with other stock or sharing of air space;

(e) imported cattle must be kept in an enclosed secure building with no access to or sharing of air space with other stock.

2.  In the case of field isolation:

(a) boundary fences must prevent contact with other stock and be in the form of double fencing 3 metres apart,

(b) a suitable building meeting the requirements of paragraph 1 of this Schedule must also be available.

3.  Group isolation is permitted only if there are facilities for isolating individual animals in the event of injury or disease.

4.  No animals other than imported cattle shall be moved into the isolation premises.

5.  The attendant for the imported cattle will be allowed to have contact with native livestock providing:

(a) native livestock is attended to first;

(b) suitable protective clothing (boots, overalls and gloves) is worn while tending the imported animals, and

(c) personal cleansing and disinfection is carried out immediately thereafter.

6.  Animals from separate imported consignments may share the same isolation premises, but in these cases the 6 month isolation period will commence from the time of landing of the latest arrivals.

7.  During the isolation period, no movement of imported cattle off the isolation premises is permitted unless direct to an abattoir for immediate slaughter and then only under the authority of a licence issued by the Divisional Veterinary Officer.

8.  The imported cattle shall not be vaccinated or subjected to any test without the authority of a veterinary inspector.

9.  Any illness in imported cattle must be reported to the Divisional Veterinary Officer. If any of the cattle die or have to be slaughtered the carcase or carcases must not be removed from the isolation premises without the authority of a licence from the Divisional Veterinary Officer.

10.  A duly authorised officer of the Minister may take samples for testing for Enzootic Bovine Leucosis (EBL) within 70 to 74 days after landing and again within 180 to 184 days after landing.

11.  Where cattle are imported pregnant, they must be housed separately from non-pregnant animals on the isolation premises. Details of any animal found to be pregnant without the pregnancy recorded on the certification accompanying the animal must be reported to the Divisional Veterinary Officer and the animal must immediately be isolated from other animals on the isolation premises.

12.  Animals which are imported as pregnant shall be isolated from other cattle when calving is imminent.

13.  Arrangements for milking of imported cattle, should this be necessary, must be agreed by the Divisional Veterinary Officer.

14.  Any animal which reacts to the EBL test shall be slaughtered without compensation to the importer. Contacts with reactors will have to remain in isolation for a further EBL test within 180 to 184 days after the positive test but they may be licensed by the Divisional Veterinary Officer to isolation at other premises or direct to a slaughterhouse.

15.  After the isolation period, the animals shall not be permitted to leave the isolation premises unless authorised by the Divisional Veterinary Officer in writing, which authorisation shall not be given until all imported animals on the isolation premises have passed the final EBL test; except that where pregnant animals calve more than 170 days after importation, release of other imported animals in the isolation premises is at the discretion of the Divisional Veterinary Officer. Any animals which have calved in the isolation premises may be released at the discretion of the Divisional Veterinary Officer when all the animals in isolation premises have met the EBL testing requirements.

16.  Embryos may be collected from animals in isolation providing prior approval has been obtained from the Divisional Veterinary Officer.

17.  Artificial insemination of imported cattle may be allowed subject to the approval of the Divisional Veterinary Officer.

18.  Natural service of imported cattle will be permitted only in the case of imported bulls running in the same isolation as the imported heifers or cows.

19.  An imported bull may be examined and tested for artificial insemination under the Artificial Insemination of Cattle (Animal Health) (England and Wales) Regulations 1985(1) of the Artificial Insemination of Cattle (Animal Health) (Scotland) Regulations 1985(2) provided that the EBL test taken within 70 to 74 days after landing is negative. If approved, semen may be collected and stored at an approved centre but may not be used until the bull or any other imported cattle in contact with it have passed the final post importation EBL test within 180 to 184 days after landing. If any imported animals on the same isolation premises as the donor bull fail the EBL test the semen must remain in isolation until all animals on that premises are released from isolation.

20.  Teasers may be used for the collection of semen but must be steers, over 18 months of age, tested and found negative to the EBL test. The movement of teasers into the isolation premises will only be allowed under the authority of a licence issued by the Divisional Veterinary Officer.

21.  The use of female teasers is prohibited.

22.  Teasers must be held in separate approved isolation to the bulls and only taken to the bull for the collection of semen. After collection of semen the teasers must be removed back to their isolation section.

23.  After final collection is completed the teasers must remain in isolation for EBL purposes until the bull has been tested and found clear after which time the teaser may be released. Alternatively the teaser may be sent direct for slaughter.

(1)

S.I. 1985/1861 as amended by S.I. 1987/904 and 1992/671.

(2)

S.I. 1985/1857 as amended by S.I. 1992/1192.