Animal Health Act 2002

1 Foot-and-mouth disease E+W

(1) In the Animal Health Act 1981 (c. 22) (in this Act referred to as the 1981 Act) paragraph 3 of Schedule 3 (power to cause slaughter of animals because of foot-and-mouth disease) is amended as follows.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1) omit “and” at the end of paragraph (a), and after paragraph (b) insert—

“(c) any animals the Secretary of State thinks should be slaughtered with a view to preventing the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.”

(3) After sub-paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) The Secretary of State may exercise the power under sub-paragraph (1)(c) whether or not animals—

(a) are affected with foot-and-mouth disease or suspected of being so affected;

(b) are or have been in contact with animals so affected;

(c) have been exposed to the infection of foot-and-mouth disease;

(d) have been treated with vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease.”