2003 No. 326 (W.47)

ANIMALS, WALESANIMAL HEALTH

The Bluetongue (Wales) Order 2003

Made

Coming into force

The National Assembly for Wales and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, acting jointly in exercise of their powers under sections 1, 7(1), 8(1), 15(4), 17(1), 23, 25, 32(2), 34(7), 35(1) and (3), 36(2) and (5), 83(2) and 88(2) of the Animal Health Act 1981 M1, make the following Order:

Annotations:
Marginal Citations

Title, commencement and applicationF11

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

InterpretationF12

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Extension of definition of “disease”F13

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exemption for activities authorised under the Specified Animal Pathogens Order 1998F14

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Vaccination against the diseaseF15

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Initial requirements where disease is known or suspected to existF16

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Isolation of animalsF17

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Notification by inspectorsF18

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Powers of veterinary inspectors and officersF19

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Measures when the disease is confirmedF110

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Restrictions in protection and surveillance zonesF111

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Powers of inspectors and officers in protection and surveillance zonesF112

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Disease in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland12A

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Declarations of zones12B

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Slaughter of animalsF113

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General duties of occupiers and keepersF114

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Powers of inspectors in case of defaultF115

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General powers of inspectorsF116

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Licences, notices and directionsF117

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EnforcementF118

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Revocations19

The Specified Diseases (Notification and Slaughter) Order 1992 M2 and the Specified Diseases (Notification) Order 1996 M3 are revoked insofar as they apply n relation to bluetongue.

Signed on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales

D.Elis-ThomasPresiding Officer
E.A. MorleyParliamentary Under Secretary of StateDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

(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). It applies in relation to Wales only.

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 unlicensed vaccination against the disease.

Articles 6 to 9 concern measures 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 inspectors are set out in sections 63 and 64A of the Animal Health Act 1981. Article 9 specifies the powers of veterinary inspectors, officers of the Secretary of State and the National Assembly for Wales to carry out certain tasks on premises after exercising powers of entry.

Articles 10 to 13 concern measures 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 Animal Health Act 1981. 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 are not complied with. Article 16 sets out their general powers. General requirements in respect of licences, notices and directions are specified in article 17. Article 18 provides that the Order shall be executed and enforced by the local authority. Article 19 revokes the Special 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 the Order is an offence under section 73 of the Animal Health Act 1981.

A Regulatory Appraisal has been prepared and published on the National Assembly for Wales web-site (www.wales.gov.uk). Copies are available from the Welsh Assembly Government, Animal Health Division, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.