The Importation of Animals Order 1977

Additional provisions relating to the carriage and unloading of imported animals

7.—(1) The person in charge of imported animals on board a vessel or aircraft in Great Britain, and the master of that vessel or the commander of that aircraft, as the case may be, shall take all such steps as may be necessary—

(a) to enable an inspector to exercise any of the powers conferred on him by the provisions of this order or of the Act, and in particular—

(i) to enter any part of the vessel or aircraft in which imported animals are being or have been carried, and to examine any apparatus, equipment or thing on board used in connection with the carriage or unloading of animals, and

(ii) to examine any document required by an import licence to accompany imported animals on board;

(b) to enable a veterinary inspector, if he considers it expedient so to do, to inspect imported animals before they are unloaded from the vessel or aircraft; and

(c) to comply with all reasonable requirements of a veterinary inspector in relation to the imported animals, and with regard to the unloading, movement and treatment of such animals.

(2) The person in charge of imported animals unloaded at a port or airport in Great Britain shall, after the animals have been moved therefrom in accordance with the provisions of this order, take all reasonable steps to ensure that every part of the port or airport with which the animals, or their droppings or other excreta, have been in contact is effectively cleansed and disinfected to the satisfaction of a veterinary inspector.