Animal Health Act 1981
Part I
General
General powers of Ministers to make orders and to authorise regulations
1
General powers of Ministers to make orders.
2
Local authority regulations.
Eradication and prevention of disease
3
Expenditure for eradication.
4
Offences as to s. 3.
5
Veterinary services and therapeutic substances.
6
Eradication areas and attested areas.
6A
Biosecurity guidance
6B
Biosecurity compliance
6C
Biosecurity codes: Scotland
6D
Emergency biosecurity orders: Scotland
6E
Tests and samples: Scotland
6F
Samples: further testing
Cleansing and movement
7
Cleansing and disinfection.
8
Movement generally.
8A
Animal gatherings: Scotland
Transport by sea and air
9
Prohibition in specific cases.
10
Importation.
10A
Annual review of import controls
11
Export to member States.
12
Export quarantine stations.
Control of dogs, and preventive treatment of sheep
13
Orders as to dogs.
14
Prevention of sheep scab.
Part II
Disease
Outbreak
14A
National contingency plan
14B
Duty to consider vaccination
15
Separation and notice.
16
Treatment after exposure to infection.
16A
Slaughter of vaccinated animals
16B
Slaughter of treated animals: Scotland
Infection
17
Powers as to infected places and areas.
18
Other provisions as to infected places and areas.
19
Destruction of foxes etc. on rabies infection.
20
Additional provisions under s. 17 on rabies infection.
21
Destruction of wild life on infection other than rabies.
22
Powers of entry etc. for s. 21.
23
Orders as to infected places and areas.
24
Rabies: quarantine and virus control.
25
Movement of diseased or suspected animals.
26
Pleuro-pneumonia or foot-and-mouth disease found in transit.
27
Exclusion of strangers.
28
Seizure of diseased or suspected animals.
28A
Deliberate infection
28B
Deliberate infection: disqualification
28C
Deliberate infection: Scotland
28D
Deliberate infection: deprivation of entitlement to compensation
28E
Deliberate infection: deprivation orders
28F
Deliberate infection: disqualification orders
28G
Seizure orders where disqualification breached
28H
Suspension of orders pending appeal
28I
Specified diseases: Scotland
Risk to human health
29
Control of zoonoses.
30
Provisions supplemental to s. 29.
Slaughter
31
Slaughter in certain diseases.
32
Slaughter in other diseases.
32A
Slaughter to prevent spread of disease
32B
Disease control (slaughter) protocol
32C
Protocol: exercise of powers
32D
Explanation of preventive slaughter
32E
Slaughter for preventing spread of disease: Scotland
32F
Disease control (slaughter) statement: Scotland
33
Additional staff and expenses.
34
Slaughter and compensation generally.
Carcases etc. liable to spread disease
35
Seizure and disposal of carcases etc.
36
Compensation for seizure.
36ZA
Seizure of carcases etc.: further provision for Scotland
36ZB
Compensation for seizure
Part 2A
Scrapie
Sheep genotypes
36A
Power of Secretary of State to specify sheep genotypes
Genetically susceptible sheep
36B
Identification of genetically susceptible sheep
36C
Restrictions on breeding from genetically susceptible sheep
36D
Appeals
Enforcement
36E
Secretary of State’s powers of enforcement
36F
Offences
Power of entry
36G
Power of entry
36H
Warrants
36I
Supplementary
36J
Offences
General
36K
Compensation
36L
Orders and Regulations
36M
Interpretation
Part 2B
TSE: Scotland
Livestock genotypes
36N
Power to specify livestock genotypes and TSEs
36O
Ascertaining genotypes and identifying livestock
36P
Restrictions on breeding
36Q
Review
Enforcement
36R
Scottish Ministers' powers of enforcement
36S
Offences
Powers of slaughter
36T
Powers of slaughter: TSE
Powers of entry
36U
Powers of entry
Compensation
36V
Compensation
General
36W
Orders and regulations
36X
Interpretation
Part III
Welfare and Export
Care
37
Prevention of suffering.
38
Food and water.
Export
39
Export of animals generally.
Export of horses other than those defined as ponies
40
Restriction on export of horses.
Export of horses defined as ponies
41
Restriction on export of ponies.
42
Restriction on export of registered ponies.
43
Regulation of export of ponies.
Other provisions as to export of horses
44
Slaughter on examination of inspection.
45
Marking of horses certified for export.
46
Slaughter of injured horses.
47
Exemption of thoroughbreds in transit.
48
Certificates.
49
Enforcement and interpretation.
Part IV
Local Authorities
50
Local authorities for purposes of this Act.
51
Local authorities and their districts.
52
Inspectors and other officers.
53
Borrowing powers.
54
Provision of wharves etc.
55
Power to acquire land.
56
Public facilities for sheep dipping.
57
Burial of carcases washed ashore.
58
Regulations.
59
Default.
Part V
Enforcement, Offences and Proceedings
Enforcement
60
Duties and authorities of constables.
61
Powers of entry and search in relation to rabies offences
62
Entry and search in exercise of powers to seize animals
62A
Slaughter: power of entry
62B
Slaughter: warrants
62C
Slaughter: supplementary
62D
Tests and samples: power of entry
62E
Tests and samples: warrants
62F
Tests and samples: supplementary
62G
Powers of entry etc.: Scotland
62H
Warrants
62I
Entry and warrants: supplementary
63
General powers of inspectors.
64
Powers of inspectors as to poultry.
64A
Powers of inspectors relating to assimilated law
65
Power to detain vessels and aircraft.
65A
Inspection of vehicles
65B
Inspection of vehicles: Scotland
66
Refusal and obstruction.
66A
Refusal and obstruction of inspector
Offences as to licences, declarations, certificates and instruments
67
Issue of false licences etc.
68
Issue of licences etc. in blank.
69
Falsely obtaining licences etc.
70
Alteration of licences etc.
71
Other offences as to licences.
Offences generally
71A
Prosecutions: time limit
72
Offences made and declared by and under this Act.
73
General offences.
Further provisions as to punishment of offences
74
Liability under the customs and excise Acts.
75
Penalties for certain summary offences
76
Certain importation offences triable either summarily or on indictment.
76A
Fixed penalty notices
Proceedings
77
Money recoverable summarily.
78
Appeal.
79
Evidence and procedure.
Part VI
Supplemental
Reports and information
80
Yearly return to Parliament.
81
Reports to Minister.
82
Information from Agricultural Marketing Boards.
Notices, fees, and exemption from stamp duty
83
Form and service of instruments.
83A
Electronic communication: Scotland
84
Fees.
85
Exemption from stamp duty.
Interpretation, functions, and orders etc.
86
Ministers and their functions.
87
Meaning of “animals” and “poultry”.
88
Meaning of “disease”.
89
Other interpretation provisions.
90
Application to hovercraft.
91
Orders etc.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
92
General application to Scotland.
93
Communications to and from Northern Ireland.
Miscellaneous provisions as to operation
94
Transitional.
95
Savings.
96
Consequential amendments and repeals.
97
Short title, extent, and commencement.
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1
Regulation of Manufacture of and Other Matters Connected with Veterinary Therapeutic Substances
Substances to which this Schedule applies
1
(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph (2) below, this...
Power to make orders as to substances to which this Schedule applies
2
(1) The Ministers may make orders for the following purposes—...
Licences to manufacture
3
(1) The following provisions shall have effect with respect to...
Licences to import
4
The issue of a licence to import a substance the...
Therapeutic substances to which this Schedule applies
5
The therapeutic substances mentioned in paragraph 1(1)(a) above are—
Offences under this Schedule
6
A person who— (a) contravenes or fails to comply with...
SCHEDULE 2
Specific Matters with Respect to Which Provision may be made in Orders Under Section 10
1
The conditions to be observed before, during and after importation....
2
Exemptions from provisions of the order by means of licences,...
3
The prohibition of the importation of animals or other things...
4
Landing and quarantine of animals and other things.
4A
The premises at which animals and other things are to...
5
Seizure, detention and treatment of animals and other things.
6
Slaughter of animals and destruction of other things.
7
Cleansing and disinfection.
8
Marking, testing and use of animals and other things.
9
Movement of persons and of animals and other things.
10
Recovery of costs.
11
Inspection.
12
Entitlement to compensation and the determination, subject to the Treasury’s...
SCHEDULE 2A
Specified diseases
Foot-and-mouth disease Swine vesicular disease Peste des petits ruminants Lumpy...
SCHEDULE 2B
Specified diseases: Scotland
African horse sickness African swine fever Bluetongue Bovine brucellosis Classical...
SCHEDULE 3
Power to Slaughter in Relation to Certain Diseases
Cattle plague
1
(1) The Minister shall cause to be slaughtered all animals...
Pleuro-pneumonia
2
(1) The Minister shall cause to be slaughtered all cattle...
Foot-and-mouth disease
2A
(1) This paragraph applies to any premises which are declared...
3
(1) The Minister may, if he thinks fit, in any...
Swine-fever
4
(1) The Minister may, if he thinks fit, in any...
Diseases of poultry
5
(1) The Minister may, if he thinks fit, cause to...
SCHEDULE 3A
Power of slaughter for preventing spread of disease: Scotland
Cattle plague
1
With a view to preventing the spread of cattle plague,...
Pleuro-pneumonia
2
With a view to preventing the spread of pleuro-pneumonia, the...
Foot-and-mouth disease
3
With a view to preventing the spread of foot-and-mouth disease,...
Swine-fever
4
With a view to preventing the spread of swine-fever, the...
Diseases of poultry
5
With a view to preventing the spread of diseases of...
Additional power of slaughter
6
(1) With a view to preventing the spread of such...
Exercise of powers of slaughter
7
The Scottish Ministers may, in relation to a disease, exercise...
Compensation
8
(1) The Scottish Ministers must pay compensation, of such amount...
Orders
9
(1) No order is made under paragraph 6 unless a...
SCHEDULE 4
Additional Provisions as to Food and Water at Railway Stations
1
The food and water, or either of them, provided under...
2
As regards water, if, in the case of any animal,...
3
The Ministers may, if they think fit, by order prescribe...
4
The body supplying food or water under section 38(2) may...
5
The amount of those additional charges accrued due in respect...
6
The body concerned shall have a lien for the amount...
SCHEDULE 5
Consequential Amendments
1
Consequential Amendments
Food and Drugs Act 1955
2
In section 100(6) of the Food and Drugs Act 1955...
Food and Drugs (Scotland) Act 1956
3
In section 36(6) of the Food and Drugs (Scotland) Act...
Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1963
4
Consequential Amendments
London Government Act 1963
5
In section 54(3) of the London Government Act 1963 for...
Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963
6
In paragraph (b) of the proviso to section 5(1) of...
Agriculture Act I967
7
In section 13(5) of the Agriculture Act 1967 for “Diseases...
Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968
8
In section 8(2) of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968—...
Transport Act 1968
9
In paragraph 7(2)(b) of Schedule 16 to the Transport Act...
Agriculture Act 1970
10
In section 106(6) of the Agriculture Act 1970 for “Diseases...
Slaughterhouses Act 1974
11
In the Slaughterhouses Act 1974— (a) in section 20(5) for...
Slaughter of Animals (Scotland) Act 1980
12
In the Slaughter of Animals (Scotland) Act 1980—
Schedule 6
Repeals

Animal Health Act 1981
1981 c. 22
An Act to consolidate the Diseases of Animals Act 1935, the Diseases of Animals Act 1950, the Ponies Act 1969, the Rabies Act 1974, the Diseases of Animals Act 1975, and certain related enactments.
[11th June 1981]
Act (except s. 57(1)): Functions transferred (27.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/3141, arts. 2(1), 3, Sch. (with s. 2(5))
Act: Certain functions transferred (W.) (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672, art. 2(1), Sch. 1
Act extended by Animal Health and Welfare Act 1984 (c. 40, SIF 2:8), s. 3
Act extended (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1997/757, art. 13
Act extended (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1997/758, art. 22
Act extended (15.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/882, reg. 9(3)-(5)
Act extended (E.) (1.9.2000) by S.I. 2000/2055, art. 22
Act extended (E.) (1.9.2000) by S.I. 2000/2056, art. 13
Act extended (E.) (11.2.2002) (temp. until 1.12.2002) by S.I. 2002/242, arts. 1, 12
Act modified (W.) (19.2.2003) by Bluetongue (Wales) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/326), art. 14 (with art. 4)
Act certain functions transferred (31.12.2004) by The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/3044), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 (with art. 3)
Act modified (E.) (27.4.2006 at 6.00 p.m.) by Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin In Mammals (England) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1197), art. 5(3)
Act definitions extended (E.) (28.4.2008) by Specified Animal Pathogens Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/944), art. 2
Act definitions extended (W.) (10.5.2008) by The Specified Animal Pathogens (Wales) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1270), art. 2
Act powers extended (W.) (10.5.2008) by The Specified Animal Pathogens (Wales) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1270), art. 6, Sch. 2
Act definitions extended (S.) (1.3.2009) by Specified Animal Pathogens (Scotland) Order 2009 (S.S.I. 2009/45), art. 2
Act applied in part (with modifications) (S.) (22.2.2021) by S.I. 1989/285, art. 4(3), Sch. 1 (as inserted by The Zoonoses Amendment (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Order 2021 (S.S.I. 2021/83), arts. 1, 2(3)(c))