Animal Health Act 1981

Slaughter

31 Slaughter in certain diseases

Schedule 3 to this Act has effect as to the slaughter of animals in relation to—

(a) cattle plague;

(b) pleuropneumonia;

(c) foot-and-mouth disease;

(d) swine-fever; and

(e) diseases of poultry.

32 Slaughter in other diseases

(1) The Minister may, if he thinks fit, cause to be slaughtered any animal which—

(a) is affected or suspected of being affected with any disease to which this section applies ; or

(b) has been exposed to the infection of any such disease.

(2) This section applies to such diseases of animals as may from time to time be directed by order of the Ministers.

(3) The Minister shall pay for animals slaughtered under this section compensation of such amount as may be determined in accordance with scales prescribed by order of the Minister made with the Treasury's approval.

A statutory instrument containing an order under this subsection shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(4) This section does not apply to poultry; and in this section—

(a) " animals " includes horses ;

(b) " disease " is not restricted by its definition in this Act.

33 Additional staff and expenses

The Minister may, for the purposes of his powers under this Act relating to the slaughter by him of animals, employ such additional inspectors, valuers and other persons, and at such remuneration, and may incur such expenses, as, subject to the approval of the Minister for the Civil Service, he thinks necessary.

34 Slaughter and compensation generally

(1) The Minister may, notwithstanding anything in this Act, reserve for observation and treatment an animal liable to be slaughtered under this Act at his direction but subject to payment of compensation by him as in case of actual slaughter.

(2) Where an animal has been slaughtered under this Act at the Minister's direction, the carcase of the animal shall belong to the Minister and shall be buried, or sold, or otherwise disposed of by him, or as he directs, as the condition of the animal or carcase and other circumstances may require or admit.

(3) If, in any case, the sum received by the Minister on sale of a carcase under this section exceeds the amount paid for compensation to the owner of the animal slaughtered, he shall pay that excess to the owner, after deducting reasonable expenses.

(4) Where an animal has been slaughtered under this Act at the Minister's direction, he may use for the burial of the carcase any ground in the possession or occupation of the owner of the animal and suitable in that behalf, or any common or unenclosed land.

(5) If the owner of an animal slaughtered under this Act at the Minister's direction has an insurance on the animal, the amount of the compensation awarded to him under this Act may be deducted by the insurers from the amount of the money payable under the insurance before they make any payment in respect of it.

(6) Notwithstanding anything in this Act, the Minister may, if he thinks fit, withhold, either wholly or partially, compensation or other payment in respect of an animal slaughtered under this Act at his discretion, where the animal, being an imported animal, was in his judgment diseased at the time of its landing or, before or while being brought from a member State, exposed to the infection of disease.

(7) The Ministers may make such orders as they think fit for all or any of the following purposes—

(a) for prescribing the mode of ascertainment of the value of an animal slaughtered, or liable to be slaughtered, at their direction;

(b) for regulating applications for, and the mode of payment of, compensation;

(c) for prescribing and regulating the destruction, burial, disposal or treatment of carcases of animals slaughtered at their direction,

and they may by order provide that subsection (6) above shall cease to have effect.