The Sheep Scab Order 1997

Seizure of unauthorised sheep

5.—(1) A local authority may seize and detain any sheep which are found on land specified in a clearance notice while that notice is in force and which have not been authorised to go on to that land by the local authority.

(2) If the owner of a sheep seized by a local authority under this article establishes his right to ownership of it within 7 days of its seizure and pays to the local authority the expenses incurred in seizing and detaining the sheep, he may take possession of the sheep.

(3) Unless the owner of a sheep has established his right to ownership and paid the expenses of the local authority under paragraph (2) above within 7 days of seizure, the local authority may either

(a) treat and sell the sheep, or

(b) cause the sheep to be slaughtered and sell the carcase

and deduct from the proceeds of sale expenses incurred and retain any surplus for payment to any person who can establish that the sheep belonged to him.