Animal Health Act 1981

87 Meaning of “animals” and “poultry”. E+W+S

(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, “animals” means—

(a) cattle, sheep and goats, and

(b) all other ruminating animals and swine,

subject to subsections (2) and (3) below.

(2) The Ministers may by order for all or any of the purposes of this Act extend the definition of “animals” in subsection (1) above so that it shall for those or any of those purposes comprise—

(a) any kind of mammal except man; and

(b) any kind of four-footed beast which is not a mammal.

(3) The Ministers may by order for all or any of the purposes of this Act (except so far as it relates to disease) extend the definition of “animals” in subsection (1) so that it shall for those or any of those purposes comprise—

(a) fish, reptiles, crustaceans, or

(b) other cold-blooded creatures of any species,

not being creatures in respect of which an order can be made under subsection (2) above.

(4) In this Act, subject to subsection (5) below and unless the context otherwise requires, “poultry” means birds of the following species—

(a) domestic fowls, turkeys, geese, ducks, guinea-fowls and pigeons, and

(b) pheasants and partridges,

and subject to the provisions mentioned below, this Act has effect in relation to poultry as it has effect in relation to animals.

The provisions of this Act referred to above are sections [F1 15(5), 32(4), and 63(9)].

(5) The Ministers may by order for all or any of the purposes of this Act, in so far as it applies to poultry—

(a) extend the definition of “poultry” in subsection (4) above so that it shall for those or any of those purposes comprise any other species of bird; or

(b) restrict that definition so that it shall for those or any of those purposes exclude any of the species of bird mentioned in paragraph (b) of subsection (4).

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 87(4) substituted by Animal Health and Welfare Act 1984 (c. 40, SIF 2:8), s. 2(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 87 definitions extended (E.) (5.1.2007) by Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/3260), arts. 1(b), 3

C2 S. 87 definitions extended (S.) (25.1.2007) by Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (S.S.I. 2006/606), regs. 1(b), 23, 28(3)

C3 S. 87 definitions extended (W.) (30.3.2007) by Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Wales) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1047), arts. 1, 3

C4 S. 87(1) extended by S.I. 1989/285, art. 2(a)

C5 S. 87(1) extended by S.I. 1991/1155, art. 2(1)

S. 87(1): definition of “animals” extended (W.) (21.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2662, art. 1(3)(a)

C6 S. 87(1) extended for certain purposes (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3303, art. 2(a)

C7 S. 87(1) extended for certain purposes (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3304, art. 2(a)

C8 Definition of “animal” extended for certain purposes (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3159, art. 2(2)

Definition of “animal” extended (23.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3141, art. 1(2)(a)

Definition of “animal” extended (1.8.1996) by S.I. 1996/2007, art. 3(a)

Definition of “animal”extended (21.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/2628, arts. 3(1)(a), 4(1)(a)

Definition of “animal” extended (24.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/3183, art. 3(a)

Definition of “animal” extended (23.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3249, art. 1(2)(a)

Definition of “animal” extended (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/646, art. 2(a)

C9 S. 87(1) definition extended (W.) (4.3.2003) by The Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (Wales) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/482), art. 1(1)(3)(a)

C10 S. 87(1) definition extended (W.) (5.6.2003) by The Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (Wales) (No.2) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1470), art. 1(1)(3)(a)

C11 S. 87(1) definition extended (E.) (1.8.2003) by Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (England) (No.3) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1724), art. 1(1)(2)(a)

C12 S. 87(1) definition extended (W.) (1.8.2003) by The Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (Wales) (No. 3) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1968), art. 1(1)(2)(a)

C13 S. 87(1) definition extended (W.) (1.2.2006) by The Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Wales) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/179), arts. 1(2), 2(a)

C14 S. 87(1) definition extended (S.) (23.2.2006) by The Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Scotland) Order 2006 (S.S.I. 2006/44), arts. 1(1), 3

C15 S. 87(1) definition extended (E.) (23.2.2006) by The Foot-and-Mouth Disease (England) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/182), arts. 1(2), 3(a)

C16 S. 87(1) definition extended (W.) (6.7.2006) by The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Wales) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1762), arts. 1(2), 3(1)(b) (with art. 3(3))

C17 S. 87(1) definition extended (W.) (13.11.2006) by The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Wales) (No 2) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2927), arts. 1(2), 3(1)(b)

C18 S. 87(1) definition extended (S.) (12.5.2008) by Products of Animal Origin (Disease Control) (Scotland) Order 2008 (S.S.I. 2008/158), arts. 1(1), 3(3)

C19 S. 87(1) definition extended (S.) (1.7.2012) by The African Horse Sickness (Scotland) Order 2012 (S.S.I. 2012/178), arts. 1(b), 3(a) (with art. 4)

C20 S. 87(1) definition extended (E.) (21.4.2021) by S.I. 1996/2628, art. 4A(1)(a) (as inserted by The Specified Diseases (Notification and Control) (Amendment, etc.) (England) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/443), arts. 1(1), 4(3))

C21 S. 87(1) definition extended (E.) (21.4.2021) by S.I. 1996/2628, art. 4B(1)(a) (as inserted by The Specified Diseases (Notification and Control) (Amendment, etc.) (England) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/443), arts. 1(1), 4(3))

C22 S. 87(1) definition extended (S.) (21.4.2021) by S.I. 1996/2628, art. 4A(1)(a) (as inserted by The Animal Health (Notification and Control Measures) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Order 2021 (S.S.I. 2021/130), arts. 1, 3(3))

C23 S. 87(1) definition extended (S.) (21.4.2021) by S.I. 1996/2628, art. 4B(1)(a) (as inserted by The Animal Health (Notification and Control Measures) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Order 2021 (S.S.I. 2021/130), arts. 1, 3(3))

C24 S. 87(1) definition extended (W.) (21.4.2021) by S.I. 1996/2628, art. 4A(1)(a) (as inserted by The Animal Diseases (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/480), arts. 1(2), 3(3))

C25 S. 87(1) definition extended (W.) (21.4.2021) by S.I. 1996/2628, art. 4B(1)(a) (as inserted by The Animal Diseases (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/480), arts. 1(2), 3(3))

C26 S. 87(2) extended (W.) (11.2.2002) (temp. until 1.12.2002) by S.I. 2002/280, arts. 1, 14

S. 87(2) extended (W.) (11.2.2002) (temp. until 1.12.2002) by S.I. 1995/11, art. 20 (as inserted by S.I. 2002/281, arts. 1, 2(1)(10))

S. 87(2) extended (E.) (11.2.2002) (temp. until 1.12.2002) by S.I. 2002/242, arts. 1, 14

C27 S. 87(4) extended by S.I. 1989/285, art. 2(b)

C28 S. 87(4) extended for certain purposes (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3303, art. 2(b)

C29 S. 87(4) extended for certain purposes (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3304, art. 2(b)

S. 87(4): definition of “poultry” extended (W.) (21.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2662, art. 1(3)(b)

Definition of “poultry” extended (1.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3141, art. 2(1)(a)

Definition of “poultry” extended (23.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3249, art. 1(2)(b)

Definition of “poultry” extended (1.8.1996) by S.I. 1996/2007, art. 3(b)

Definition of “poultry” extended (21.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/2628, art. 4(1)(b)

Definition of “poultry” extended (21.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/3183, art. 3(b)

Definition of “poultry”extended (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/646, art. 2(b)

C30 S. 87(4) definition extended (W.) (4.3.2003) by The Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (Wales) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/482), art. 1(1)(3)(a)

C31 S. 87(4) definition extended (W.) (12.4.2003) by Diseases of Poultry (Wales) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1079), arts. 1(1), 2(1)

C32 S. 87(4) definition extended (E.) (30.4.2003) by Diseases of Poultry (England) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1078), arts. 1(1), 2(1)

C33 S. 87(4) definition extended (W.) (5.6.2003) by The Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (Wales) (No.2) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1470), art. 1(1)(3)(a)

C34 S. 87(4) definition extended (E.) (1.8.2003) by Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (England) (No.3) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1724), art. 1(1)(2)(a)

C35 S. 87(4) definition extended (W.) (1.2.2006) by The Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Wales) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/179), arts. 1(2), 2(b)

C36 S. 87(4) definition extended (S.) (23.2.2006) by The Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Scotland) Order 2006 (S.S.I. 2006/44), arts. 1(1), 3

C37 S. 87(4) definition extended (E.) (23.2.2006) by The Foot-and-Mouth Disease (England) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/182), arts. 1(2), 3(b)

C38 S. 87(4) definition extended (S.) (5.4.2006 at midnight) by Avian Influenza (H5N1 in Wild Birds) (Scotland) Order 2006 (S.S.I. 2006/196), arts. 1(1), 3

C39 S. 87(4) definition extended (W.) (6.7.2006) by The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Wales) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1762), arts. 1(2), 3(1)(a) (with art. 3(3))

C40 S. 87(4) definition extended (W.) (13.11.2006) by The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Wales) (No 2) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2927), arts. 1(2), 3(1)(a)