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(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.”