Part 1Slaughter
1Foot-and-mouth disease
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.