The Poultry Laying Flocks (Collection and Handling of Eggs and Control of Vermin) Order 1989

Title and commencement

1.  This Order may be cited as the Poultry Laying Flocks (Collection and Handling of Eggs and Control of Vermin) Order 1989 and shall come into force on 26th May 1989.

Interpretation

2.  In this Order–

“laying flock” means a flock of poultry any of the eggs of which are sold for human consumption;

“poultry” means domestic fowls;

“vermin” means rats, mice, flies or cockroaches.

Collection and handling of eggs

3.  It shall be the duty of the owner of a laying flock to ensure that the requirements specified in the Schedule to this Order relating to the collection and handling of eggs from laying flocks are complied with on the premises on which the flock is kept.

Control of vermin etc.

4.  It shall be the duty of the owner of a laying flock to ensure that, on the premises on which the flock is kept, effective measures are taken so as to ensure that,–

(a) poultryhouses and buildings or parts of buildings used to store eggs are not infested by vermin; and

(b) poultryhouses in which poultry are housed permanently throughout their laying period are not accessible to any other birds at any time.

Offences

5.  Any person who, without lawful authority or excuse, proof of which shall lie on him, contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of this Order commits an offence against the Animal Health Act 1981.

Local authority to enforce Order

6.  The provisions of this Order shall be executed and enforced by the local authority.

In Witness whereof the Official Seal of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is hereunto affixed on 25th May 1989.

L.S.

John MacGregor

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Sanderson of Bowden

Minister of State, Scottish Office

23rd May 1989

Peter Walker

Secretary of State for Wales

23rd May 1989