Where an animal kept or formerly kept on any premises has reacted to a diagnostic test for brucellosis or where a veterinary inspector reasonably believes that brucellosis exists on any premises, the veterinary inspector may serve a notice on the owner or keeper of any bovine animal requiring that person to notify the Scottish Ministers within such period as may be specified in the notice, of any full-term calving which may occur among such animals.

Where a notice has been served on any person under paragraph (1) and any full-term calving occurs among bovine animals to which such notice relates, the placenta and, if it dies at or after birth, the calf, must be retained by that person until such time as a veterinary inspector may by a further notice in writing require the disposal or destruction of the placenta and dead calf.

If any person on whom a notice under paragraph (1) or (2) is served fails to comply with it, the Scottish Ministers may, without prejudice to any proceedings for an offence arising out of such default, carry out or cause to be carried out the requirements of the notice and any expenses reasonably incurred by the Scottish Ministers are recoverable by them from the person in default.

In this article, “full-term calving” means a calving which takes place 271 days or more after service or insemination, or 265 or more days after implantation or transfer of an embryo, whether the calf is born dead or alive.