The Importation of Animals Order 1977

Action in case of contraventions of the order, etc

14.—(1) Without prejudice to paragraph (3) below, where—

(a) an imported animal is landed in Great Britain in contravention of this order, or in contravention of an import licence issued under it, or

(b) after an imported animal has been landed, there is in respect thereof any contravention of or failure to comply with any provision of this order, or any contravention of or failure to comply with any provision of an import licence or other licence issued, authority, direction or consent given, or notice served under it,

an inspector may, by notice in writing served on the person appearing to him to have charge of the animal, require that person, at his own expense or at the expense of the owner of the animal, immediately to slaughter it or cause it to be slaughtered, or immediately to detain and isolate it and, within the time specified in the notice, to move or cause it to be moved in such manner and in compliance with such conditions as may be so specified, either—

(i) to a vessel or aircraft for export or

(ii) to such premises as may be specified in the notice for the purpose of detention thereat at its owner's expense for such period, and subject to such conditions, as may be so specified.

(2) Without prejudice to paragraph (3) below, a veterinary inspector may, by notice in writing served on the person appearing to him to have charge of an animal which has been in contact with an animal to which paragraph (1) above applies, impose such conditions with regard to the detention and isolation of the animal to which that notice relates as he may consider necessary for the purpose of preventing the introduction or spreading of disease into or within Great Britain.

(3) The appropriate Minister may at any time seize or cause to be sized, and thereafter slaughter or cause to be slaughtered, any animal to which paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) above applies; and for the purpose of exercising the powers conferred by the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, a veterinary inspector or other person acting for or on behalf of the appropriate Minister may enter any land or premises, or any vessel, aircraft, vehicle or container, at or in which the animal in question is detained; and, where those powers have been exercised, the carcase of the animal shall be disposed of in such manner as a veterinary inspector may direct.

(4) Nothing in this Article shall affect the powers of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to seize and detain as liable to forfeiture under the Customs and Excise Acts any animals which are landed in Great Britain in contravention of this order, or in contravention of an import licence issued under it, or to institute legal proceedings under those Acts in respect of such contravention.