The Brucellosis Order 1997

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order revokes and substantially re-enacts the Brucellosis (England and Wales) Order 1981 (S.I. 1981/1455 as amended by S.I. 1986/2295 and S.I. 1994/2762). It also applies to Scotland for the first time and revokes and re-enacts the Brucellosis (Scotland) Order 1979 (S.I. 1979/1596 as amended by S.I. 1980/1673, S.I. 1987/135 and S.I. 1994/2770).

It implements the provisions relating to milk of Council Directive 64/432/EEC, as amended (on animal health problems affecting intra-Community trade in bovine animals and swine) (O.J. No. L121, 29.7.64, p. 1977) and Council Directive 77/391/EEC, as amended (introducing Community measures for the eradication of brucellosis, tuberculosis and leucosis in cattle) (O.J. No. L145, 13.6.77, p. 44). These Directives require the operation of a monitoring and testing programme to maintain the officially brucellosis-free status of Great Britain under Council Directive 64/432/EEC.

The principal changes made by this Order relate to the arrangements for testing milk for evidence of brucellosis. Schedule 1 to the Order lists those laboratories which have been approved by the Ministers to carry out testing of milk for brucellosis. Article 7(1) sets out the duties of purchasers of milk in any form for resale to ensure that milk is sent for testing to one of the approved laboratories.

The person in charge of an approved laboratory must notify the appropriate Minister if the result of any test for brucellosis is positive within 24 hours and negative results within one month. He must maintain records of all the tests carried out for a period of one year (article 7(4)).

The Order is enforced by the local authority (article 23).

A failure to comply with any provision of this Order is an offence against the Animal Health Act 1981 (article 22).

A Cost Compliance Assessment in relation to this Order has been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament and copies can be obtained from the Animal Health (Disease Control) Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Government Buildings, Hook Rise South, Tolworth, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 7NF.