Interpretation

2.—(1) In this Order, unless the context otherwise requires—

“the Act” means the Animal Health Act 1981;

“affected animal” means a sheep or goat which is affected with the disease;

“the Commission Decision” means Commission Decision 98/272/EEC(1) on epidemio-surveillance for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies;

“the disease” means any transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in sheep and goats;

“the Divisional Veterinary Manager” means the veterinary inspector appointed for the time being by the Minister to receive information about affected or suspected animals, or the carcases of such animals, for the area in which such animals or carcases are;

“market” means a market, fairground, sale-yard or any other place where sheep or goats are commonly exposed for sale;

“premises” means any place (including any structure or vehicle) in which sheep or goats may be grazed, handled, held or kept;

“research establishment” means an establishment carrying out research into the disease, including a veterinary investigation centre of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food;

“the Sheep and Goats Regulations” means the Sheep and Goats Spongiform Encephalopathy Regulations 1998(2);

“suspected animal” means a sheep or goat which is suspected of being affected with the disease; and

“transmissible spongiform encephalopathy” has the same meaning in this Order as in the Commission Decision.

(2) For the purposes of the Act in its application to this Order (unless the context otherwise requires) the definition of “animals” in section 87(1) of the Act is hereby extended so as to comprise—

(a) any kind of mammal except man; and

(b) any kind of four-footed beast which is not a mammal.

(3) Any reference in this Order—

(a) to a numbered article is a reference to the article bearing that number in this Order; and

(b) to a lettered form is a reference to the form bearing that letter in the Schedule to this Order.

(1)

OJ No. L122, 24.4.98. p.59.

(2)

S.I. 1998/1646.