The Diseases of Animals (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Diseases of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (“the Order”) to specify the circumstances in which the Department must slaughter animals in the event of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

They partially transpose, for Northern Ireland, Articles 10, 15 and 18 of Council Directive 2003/85/EC (OJ No. L306, 22.11.2003, p1) (“the Directive”). The other measures transposing the Directive in Northern Ireland are, the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. No.42) and the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Control of Vaccination) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. No.43).

A new paragraph 3A is inserted into Part I of Schedule 2 of the Order which has the following effect:

Paragraphs 3A(1) and 3A(2) impose a duty on the Department to slaughter susceptible animals on premises where foot-and-mouth disease is confirmed, transposing Articles 10(1)(a) and 16(1)(a) of the Directive.

Paragraph 3A(3), read with 3A(4), allows the Department to make exception where the disease is confirmed at premises keeping animals for the purposes set out in 3A(3), transposing Articles 15(1) and 15(2) of the Directive.

Paragraph 3A(5), read with 3A(6), (7), (8) and (9), allows the Department to make exception where the disease is confirmed at premises which are structured as separate production units, transposing Articles 18(1) and 18(2) of the Directive.

Paragraph 3B provides for the slaughter of animals vaccinated for suppressive purposes.