- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As enacted)
Biological Weapons Act 1974
You are here:
- UK Public General Acts
- 1974 c. 6
- Section 1
What Version
Opening Options
More Resources
Status:
This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).
1Restriction on development etc. of certain biological agents and toxins and of biological weapons
(1)No person shall develop, produce, stockpile, acquire or retain—
(a)any biological agent or toxin of a type and in a quantity that has no justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes ; or
(b)any weapon, equipment or means of delivery designed to use biological agents or toxins for hostile purposes or in armed conflict.
(2)In this section—
" biological agent " means any microbial or other biological agent; and
" toxin " means any toxin, whatever its origin or method of production.
(3)Any person contravening this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction on indictment, be liable to imprisonment for life.
Options/Help
Print Options
PrintThe Whole Act
PrintThis Section only
Legislation is available in different versions:
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Opening Options
Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once
More Resources
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- correction slips
- links to related legislation and further information resources
More Resources
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- correction slips
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- links to related legislation and further information resources
All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. This site additionally contains content derived from EUR-Lex, reused under the terms of the Commission Decision 2011/833/EU on the reuse of documents from the EU institutions. For more information see the EUR-Lex public statement on re-use.