The Disease Control and Animal Movements (Interim Measures) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2002

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order principally amends the Disease Control (Interim Measures) (Scotland) Order 2002 (“the principal Order”). It amends the 20-day standstill on the movement of animals contained in articles 3, 4 and 5 of the principal Order, as follows.

It permits the movement of animals to premises if those animals return from slaughterhouses (article 2(2)(a)).

It permits the movement of animals from premises to shows and exhibitions (under certain restrictions) to places for veterinary treatment or research or to artificial insemination centres. It further permits those animals to be returned to the holding from which they came without applying the standstill to the animals on the holding to which they are returned (article 2(3)(d)).

It also extends the common grazings exemption in article 4(l) of the principal Order to animals subject to that Order other than sheep, and amends the exemptions for the movement of a camelid and away wintering (article 2(3)(c) and (d)).

It brings the movements of pigs within the restrictions of the principal Order and permits the movement of pigs on the same conditions (including separation conditions) as cattle (article 2(2)(b) and (3)(a)).

The Order also creates a specific offence of taking unauthorised access to a stock area in market premises regulated by the principal Order (article 2(4)). Such access may only be authorised in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to the principal Order.

Article 2(3)(b) and (6) correct drafting defects in the principal Order.

This Order makes amendments relative to the changes to the standstill measures in relation to pigs contained in article 2(2)(b) and (3)(a), and further minor amendments, to the forms of declaration contained in Schedules 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 to the Pigs (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1995 (article 3), as formerly substituted into that Order by the principal Order.

This Order also makes a clarifying amendment to article 4 of the Sheep and Goats Movement (Interim Measures) (Scotland) Order 2002 which makes provision for the maximum number of eartags in connection with the requirement to have a movement eartag applied under certain circumstances (article 4).

A breach of the terms of the principal Order or of a licence issued thereunder constitutes an offence under the Animal Health Act 1981.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment has not been prepared for this Order.