The Bluetongue Order 2003

Statutory Instruments

2003 No. 130

ANIMALS, ENGLAND

ANIMAL HEALTH

F1 The Bluetongue Order 2003

Made

28th January 2003

Coming into force

19th February 2003

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in exercise of her powers under sections 1, 7(1), 8(1), 15(4), 17(1), 23, 25, 32, 34, 35, 36, 83(2) and 88(2) of the Animal Health Act 1981 makes the following Order:

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Title, commencement and extent E+W

F1 1.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Interpretation E+W

F1 2.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Extension of definition of “disease” E+W

F1 3.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Exemption for activities authorised under the Specified Animal Pathogens Order 1998 E+W

F1 4.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Vaccination against the disease E+W

F1 5.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Initial requirements where disease is known or suspected to exist E+W

F1 6.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Isolation of animals E+W

F1 7.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Notification by inspectors E+W

F1 8.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Powers of veterinary inspectors and officers E+W

F1 9.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Measures when the disease is confirmed E+W

F1 10.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Restrictions in protection and surveillance zones E+W

F1 11.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Powers of inspectors and officers in protection and surveillance zones E+W

F1 12.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Disease in Scotland and Wales E+W

F1 12A.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Declarations of zones E+W

F1 12B.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Slaughter of animals E+W

F1 13.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

General duties of occupiers and keepers E+W

F1 14.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Powers of inspectors in case of default E+W

F1 15.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

General powers of inspectors E+W

F1 16.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Enforcement and offences E+W

F1 17.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Order revoked (except for art. 18) (2.11.2007) by The Bluetongue Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3154), art. 27(a) (with art. 4)

Revocations E+W

18.  The Specified Diseases (Notification and Slaughter) Order 1992 M1 and the Specified Diseases (Notification) Order 1996 M2 are revoked insofar as they apply to bluetongue.

Marginal Citations

M1 S.I. 1992/3159.

M2 S.I. 1996/2628.

Elliot Morley

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State,

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order implements Council Directive 2000/75/EC laying down specific provisions for the control and eradication of bluetongue (OJ No. L327, 22.12.2000, p. 74).

Articles 1, 2 and 3 contain introductory provisions, including definitions of certain terms used in the Order. Article 4 provides that certain activities authorised under the Specified Animal Pathogens Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/463) are not covered by the Order. Article 5 prohibits unauthorised vaccination against the disease.

Articles 6 to 9 concern measures to be taken when bluetongue is known or suspected to exist on premises. Articles 6 and 7 provide for notification to be given to the Divisional Veterinary Manager and for the isolation of animals when disease is known to exist or is suspected. Article 8 provides for the service of notices by inspectors requiring compliance with certain restrictions. The general powers of veterinary inspectors and of officers of the Secretary of State are set out in sections 63 and 64A of the Animal Health Act 1981. Article 9 of this Order provides the specifics as to the exercise of certain of these powers when an outbreak of bluetongue is suspected.

Articles 10 to 13 concern measures to be taken when an outbreak of bluetongue has been confirmed. Article 10 provides for the service of notices. Articles 11 and 12 set out the restrictions which apply in areas declared to be infected areas by the Secretary of State under the Act. Article 13 applies provisions in that Act relating to the slaughter of animals.

Article 14 sets out the general duties of occupiers and keepers under the Order. Article 15 sets out the powers of inspectors when the requirements in notices served by them are not complied with. Article 16 sets out their general powers. Article 17 provides that the Order shall be executed and enforced by the local authority. Article 18 revokes the Specified Diseases (Notification and Slaughter) Order 1992 (S.I. 1992/3159) and the Specified Diseases (Notification) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/2628) insofar as they apply to bluetongue.

Failure to comply with this Order is an offence under section 73 of the Animal Health Act 1981.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared and placed in the library of each House of Parliament. Copies can be obtained from the Animal Health (Disease Control) Division, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.