The Importation of Animals Order 1977

Prohibition on landing of imported animals in Great Britain otherwise than under licence

3.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this order, the landing of imported animals in Great Britain is hereby prohibited.

(2) The prohibition contained in paragraph (1) above shall not apply to the landing in Great Britain of imported animals when that landing takes place under the authority of a licence in writing issued by the appropriate Minister, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of that licence.

(3) An import licence may be either general or specific, and may in either case be issued subject to compliance with such conditions specified therein as the appropriate Minister may see fit to impose for the purpose of—

(a) preventing the introduction or spreading of disease into or within Great Britain; or

(b) protecting animals from unnecessary suffering on landing and during inland transit.

(4) A general import licence shall be issued by the appropriate Minister by publication of the provisions thereof in such manner and to such extent as appears to him to be sufficient to bring the terms of that licence to the attention of those persons likely to be affected by it.

(5) Every import licence shall—

(a) designate the ports and airports at which imported animals to which it relates may alone be landed; and

(b) subject to Article 9 below, specify approved premises to which such animals are authorised to be moved after landing.

(6) The appropriate Minister may at any time revoke or vary an import licence, but without prejudice to anything lawfully done pursuant thereto before the revocation or variation takes effect; and any such revocation or variation shall be affected—

(a) in the case of a general import licence, by notice thereof published, so far as practicable, in the same manner and to the same extent as the licence; and

(b) in the case of a specific import licence, by notice in writing served on the person to whom the licence was issued.