Animal Health Act 1981

49 Enforcement and interpretation

(1) An inspector may enter any vessel or aircraft for the purpose of ascertaining whether the provisions—

(a) of sections 40 to 42 and 44 to 48 above (in this section described as " the relevant sections "), or

(b) of any order under this Act relating to the exportation or shipment of horses,

are being complied with.

(2) Every local authority shall, if and so far as the Ministers by order so direct, execute and enforce the relevant sections.

(3) If—

(a) a person does anything or omits to do anything in contravention of the provisions of the relevant sections, or

(b) the master of a vessel or the pilot of an aircraft permits a horse to be shipped in a vessel or aircraft in contravention of those provisions,

he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act, and the provisions of this Act relating to offences and legal proceedings shall apply accordingly as if the expression " animal " in those provisions included horses.

(4) In this section and the relevant sections—

(a) "master", "owner", "port", and "vessel" have the same meanings as in the [1894 c. 60.] Merchant Shipping Act 1894 ; and

(b) " pilot of an aircraft" includes any other person having the command or charge of the aircraft.