Animal Health Act 1981

16 Treatment after exposure to infection.E+W

(1)For the purpose of preventing the spread of disease, the Ministers may cause to be treated with serum or vaccine, or with both serum and vaccine, any animal or bird—

(a)which has been in contact with a diseased animal or bird, or

(b)which appears to the Ministers to be or to have been in any way exposed to the infection of disease; or

(c)which is in an infected area.

(2)The powers conferred by this section shall be construed as extending to the taking of any action—

(a)which is requisite for enabling the appropriate treatment to be administered, or

(b)which is otherwise required in connection with that treatment,

and for the purpose of exercising those powers any [F1inspector] may, subject to production of his authority on demand, enter any land or premises F2. . ..

[F3( 3 )If a justice of the peace is satisfied on sworn information in writing that the first condition is satisfied and that the second or third condition is satisfied he may issue a warrant authorising an inspector to enter any land or premises, if necessary using reasonable force, for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2).

( 4 )The information must include—

(a)a statement as to whether any representations have been made by the occupier of the land or premises to an inspector concerning the purpose for which the warrant is sought;

(b)a summary of any such representations.

( 5 )The first condition is that there are reasonable grounds for an inspector to enter the land or premises for that purpose.

( 6 )The second condition is that each of the following applies to the occupier of the premises—

(a)he has been informed of the decision to seek entry to the premises and of the reasons for that decision;

(b)he has failed to allow entry to the premises on being requested to do so by an inspector;

(c)he has been informed of the decision to apply for the warrant.

( 7 )The third condition is that—

(a)the premises are unoccupied or the occupier is absent and (in either case) notice of intention to apply for the warrant has been left in a conspicuous place on the premises, or

(b)an application for admission to the premises or the giving of notice of intention to apply for the warrant would defeat the object of entering the premises.

( 8 )Subsections (9) to (12) apply to an inspector who enters any land or premises by virtue of subsection (2) or under a warrant issued under subsection (3).

( 9 )The inspector may take with him—

(a)such other persons as he thinks necessary to give him such assistance as he thinks necessary;

(b)such equipment as he thinks necessary.

( 10 )The inspector may require any person on the land or premises who falls within subsection (11) to give him such assistance as he may reasonably require for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2).

( 11 )The following persons fall within this subsection—

(a)the occupier of the premises;

(b)a person appearing to the inspector to have charge of animals on the premises;

(c)a person appearing to the inspector to be under the direction or control of a person mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b).

( 12 )If the inspector enters any unoccupied premises he must leave them as effectively secured against entry as he found them.

( 13 )If the inspector enters any premises by virtue of a warrant issued under subsection (3) he must at the time of entry—

(a)serve a copy of the warrant on the occupier of the premises, or (if the occupier is not on the premises)

(b)leave a copy of the warrant in a conspicuous place on the premises.

( 14 )A warrant issued under subsection (3) remains in force for one month starting with the date of its approval by the justice of the peace, which date shall be clearly visible on the warrant.

( 15 )A warrant issued under subsection (3) must be executed only at a reasonable hour unless the inspector thinks that the case is one of urgency.

( 16 )In relation to any premises to which entry is obtained by virtue of a warrant under this section the Secretary of State must retain for a period of not less than 12 months beginning with the day after entry—

(a)a copy of the warrant;

(b)a copy of any record of the steps taken to effect entry to the premises and the actions taken on the premises by the inspector and any other person entering the premises with him.

( 17 )A person commits an offence if—

(a)he is required to give assistance under subsection (10), and

(b)he fails to give it.]

Extent Information

E1This version of this provision extends to England and Wales only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F1Words in s. 16(2) substituted (14.1.2003) by 2002 c. 42, s. 12(1); S.I. 2002/3044, art. 2

F2Words in s. 16(2) omitted (14.1.2003) by virtue of 2002 c. 42, s. 12(1); S.I. 2002/3044, art. 2

F3S. 16(3)-(17) inserted (14.1.2003) by 2002 c. 42, s. 12(1); S.I. 2002/3044, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9S. 16(2)-(17) applied (with modifications) (W.) (6.7.2006) by The Avian Influenza (Vaccination) (Wales) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1761), regs. 1(2), 7

16 Treatment after exposure to infection.S

F4(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F5(1A)For the purpose of preventing the spread of diseases of animals, the Scottish Ministers may, if they think fit, cause to be treated with serum or vaccine, or with both serum and vaccine, any animal or bird.]

[F5(1B)The animals which may be treated under subsection (1A) are any kind of mammal (except man).]

[F5(1C)In subsection (1A), “disease” is not restricted by its definition in this Act.]

(2)The powers conferred by this section shall be construed as extending to the taking of any action—

(a)which is requisite for enabling the appropriate treatment to be administered, or

(b)which is otherwise required in connection with that treatment,

and for the purpose of exercising those powers any [F6 inspector ] may, subject to production of his authority on demand, enter any [F7 premises ].

[F8(3)In this section—

  • “inspector” means—

    (a)

    a person appointed as an inspector for the purposes of this Act by the Scottish Ministers; or

    (b)

    a person authorised by the Scottish Ministers for those purposes;

  • “premises” includes—

    (a)

    any land or building; or

    (b)

    any other place, in particular—

    (i)

    a vehicle or vessel; or

    (ii)

    a tent or moveable structure.]

Extent Information

E2This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales only

Textual Amendments

F6Words in s. 16(2) substituted (S.) (6.10.2006) by Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 11), ss. 7(2)(a), 55(1) (with s. 54); S.S.I. 2006/482, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9S. 16(2)-(17) applied (with modifications) (W.) (6.7.2006) by The Avian Influenza (Vaccination) (Wales) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1761), regs. 1(2), 7