The Diseases of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1981

Orders prohibiting import of animals, etc. N.I.

24.—(1) For the purpose of preventing the introduction of disease into Northern Ireland, the Department may, whenever it deems it expedient so to do, by order—

(a) prohibit or regulate the imporation of—

(i) animals, poultry, carcases and eggs and

(ii) other things, whether animate or inanimate, by or by means of which it appears to the Department that any disease might be carried or transmitted,

(b) provide for exemptions from any such prohibition by means of the grant of licences[F1 subject to such conditions as maybe specified in the licences].

[F1 (1A) An order under paragraph (1) may apply, with or without modifications, any of the provisions of Schedule 3 (slaughter and quarantine) to imported animals and poultry.]

(2) An order under paragraph (1) which is expressed to be made for the purpose of preventing the introduction of rabies into Northern Ireland may include provision for the destruction in Northern Ireland, by such persons as may be prescribed by the order, of animals in respect of which the order or any licence granted under it is contravened.

(3) Whenever the Department is not satisfied, having regard to—

(a) the sanitary conditions of animals or any specified kind of animals in, or imported from, any country or any specified part of any country; and

(b) the laws made by that country for the regulation of the importation and exportation of animals, and for the prevention of the introduction or spreading of disease; and

(c) the administration of such laws,

that the circumstances are such as to afford reasonable security against the importation from that country of animals affected with disease, the Department shall prohibit the importation of animals from that country.

(4) This Article shall apply to the importation in an aircraft of animals and other things not landed from the aircraft as it applies in relation to their landing from an aircraft.

(5) If an animal or other thing is imported in an aircraft in contravention of an order made under this Article, then (without prejudice to the liability of any other person under Article 52 (1) and (4) the person for the time being having possession and control of the aircraft, as owner, hirer or otherwise, shall be guilty of an offence against this Order.

F1 1984 NI 2