Law

Animal Health Act 1981

United Kingdom · statute

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In force since 2026-07-24, as the publisher states.

Copy read on 2026-11-08. The page it was read from

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.

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Contents: 161 provisions
  1. Title and introductory text
  2. 1 General powers of Ministers to make orders.
  3. 2 Local authority regulations.
  4. 3 Expenditure for eradication.
  5. 4 Offences as to s. 3.
  6. 5 Veterinary services and therapeutic substances.
  7. 6 Eradication areas and attested areas.
  8. 6A Biosecurity guidance
  9. 6B Biosecurity compliance
  10. 6C Biosecurity codes: Scotland
  11. 6D Emergency biosecurity orders: Scotland
  12. 6E Tests and samples: Scotland
  13. 6F Samples: further testing
  14. 7 Cleansing and disinfection.
  15. 8 Movement generally.
  16. 8A Animal gatherings: Scotland
  17. 9 Prohibition in specific cases.
  18. 10 Importation.
  19. 10A Annual review of import controls
  20. 11 Export to member States.
  21. 12 Export quarantine stations.
  22. 13 Orders as to dogs.
  23. 14 Prevention of sheep scab.
  24. 14A National contingency plan
  25. 14B Duty to consider vaccination
  26. 15 Separation and notice.
  27. 16 Treatment after exposure to infection.
  28. 16A Slaughter of vaccinated animals
  29. 16B Slaughter of treated animals: Scotland
  30. 17 Powers as to infected places and areas.
  31. 18 Other provisions as to infected places and areas.
  32. 19 Destruction of foxes etc. on rabies infection.
  33. 20 Additional provisions under s. 17 on rabies infection.
  34. 21 Destruction of wild life on infection other than rabies.
  35. 22 Powers of entry etc. for s. 21.
  36. 23 Orders as to infected places and areas.
  37. 24 Rabies: quarantine and virus control.
  38. 25 Movement of diseased or suspected animals.
  39. 26 Pleuro-pneumonia or foot-and-mouth disease found in transit.
  40. 27 Exclusion of strangers.
  41. 28 Seizure of diseased or suspected animals.
  42. 28A Deliberate infection
  43. 28B Deliberate infection: disqualification
  44. 28C Deliberate infection: Scotland
  45. 28D Deliberate infection: deprivation of entitlement to compensation
  46. 28E Deliberate infection: deprivation orders
  47. 28F Deliberate infection: disqualification orders
  48. 28G Seizure orders where disqualification breached
  49. 28H Suspension of orders pending appeal
  50. 28I Specified diseases: Scotland
  51. 29 Control of zoonoses.
  52. 30 Provisions supplemental to s. 29.
  53. 31 Slaughter in certain diseases.
  54. 32 Slaughter in other diseases.
  55. 32A Slaughter to prevent spread of disease
  56. 32B Disease control (slaughter) protocol
  57. 32C Protocol: exercise of powers
  58. 32D Explanation of preventive slaughter
  59. 32E Slaughter for preventing spread of disease: Scotland
  60. 32F Disease control (slaughter) statement: Scotland
  61. 33 Additional staff and expenses.
  62. 34 Slaughter and compensation generally.
  63. 35 Seizure and disposal of carcases etc.
  64. 36 Compensation for seizure.
  65. 36ZA Seizure of carcases etc.: further provision for Scotland
  66. 36ZB Compensation for seizure
  67. 36N Power to specify livestock genotypes and TSEs
  68. 36O Ascertaining genotypes and identifying livestock
  69. 36P Restrictions on breeding
  70. 36Q Review
  71. 36R Scottish Ministers' powers of enforcement
  72. 36S Offences
  73. 36T Powers of slaughter: TSE
  74. 36U Powers of entry
  75. 36V Compensation
  76. 36W Orders and regulations
  77. 36X Interpretation
  78. 37 Prevention of suffering.
  79. 38 Food and water.
  80. 39 Export of animals generally.
  81. 41 Restriction on export of ponies.
  82. 42 Restriction on export of registered ponies.
  83. 43 Regulation of export of ponies.
  84. 44 Slaughter on examination of inspection.
  85. 45 Marking of horses certified for export.
  86. 46 Slaughter of injured horses.
  87. 47 Exemption of thoroughbreds in transit.
  88. 48 Certificates.
  89. 50 Local authorities for purposes of this Act.
  90. 51 Local authorities and their districts.
  91. 52 Inspectors and other officers.
  92. 53 Borrowing powers.
  93. 54 Provision of wharves etc.
  94. 55 Power to acquire land.
  95. 56 Public facilities for sheep dipping.
  96. 57 Burial of carcases washed ashore.
  97. 58 Regulations.
  98. 59 Default.
  99. 60 Duties and authorities of constables.
  100. 61 Powers of arrest as to rabies. Powers of entry and search in relation to rabies offences
  101. 62 Entry and search under s. 61. Entry and search in exercise of powers to seize animals
  102. 62A Slaughter: power of entry
  103. 62B Slaughter: warrants
  104. 62C Slaughter: supplementary
  105. 62D Tests and samples: power of entry
  106. 62E Tests and samples: warrants
  107. 62F Tests and samples: supplementary
  108. 62G Powers of entry etc.: Scotland
  109. 62H Warrants
  110. 62I Entry and warrants: supplementary
  111. 63 General powers of inspectors.
  112. 64 Powers of inspectors as to poultry.
  113. 64A Powers of inspectors relating to assimilated law
  114. 65 Power to detain vessels and aircraft.
  115. 65A Inspection of vehicles
  116. 65B Inspection of vehicles: Scotland
  117. 66 Refusal and obstruction.
  118. 66A Refusal and obstruction of inspector
  119. 67 Issue of false licences etc.
  120. 68 Issue of licences etc. in blank.
  121. 69 Falsely obtaining licences etc.
  122. 70 Alteration of licences etc.
  123. 71 Other offences as to licences.
  124. 71A Prosecutions: time limit
  125. 72 Offences made and declared by and under this Act.
  126. 73 General offences.
  127. 74 Liability under the customs and excise Acts.
  128. 75 Penalties for certain summary offences
  129. 76 Certain importation offences triable either summarily or on indictment.
  130. 76A Fixed penalty notices
  131. 77 Money recoverable summarily.
  132. 78 Appeal.
  133. 79 Evidence and procedure.
  134. 80 Yearly return to Parliament.
  135. 81 Reports to Minister.
  136. 82 Information from Agricultural Marketing Boards.
  137. 83 Form and service of instruments.
  138. 83A Electronic communication: Scotland
  139. 84 Fees.
  140. 85 Exemption from stamp duty.
  141. 86 Ministers and their functions.
  142. 87 Meaning of “animals” and “poultry”.
  143. 88 Meaning of “disease”.
  144. 89 Other interpretation provisions.
  145. 90 Application to hovercraft.
  146. 91 Orders etc.
  147. 92 General application to Scotland.
  148. 93 Communications to and from Northern Ireland.
  149. 94 Transitional.
  150. 95 Savings.
  151. 96 Consequential amendments and repeals.
  152. 97 Short title, extent, and commencement.
  153. SCHEDULE 1 Regulation of Manufacture of and Other Matters Connected with Veterinary Therapeutic Substances
  154. SCHEDULE 2 Specific Matters with Respect to Which Provision may be made in Orders Under Section 10
  155. SCHEDULE 2A Specified diseases
  156. SCHEDULE 2B Specified diseases: Scotland
  157. SCHEDULE 3 Power to Slaughter in Relation to Certain Diseases
  158. SCHEDULE 3A Power of slaughter for preventing spread of disease: Scotland
  159. SCHEDULE 4 Additional Provisions as to Food and Water at Railway Stations
  160. SCHEDULE 5 Consequential Amendments
  161. Schedule 6 Repeals

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161 provisions

Schedule 6 Repeals

Section 96. Chapter | Short title | Extent of repeal 25 & 26 Geo. 5. c. 31. | Diseases of Animals Act 1935. | The whole Act. 14 Geo. 6. c. 36. | Diseases of Animals Act 1950. | The whole Act. 2 & 3 Eliz. 2. c. 39. | Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1954. | Section 11. Schedule 2. 4 & 5 Eliz. 2. c. 46. | Administration of Justice Act 1956. | Section 49(2). 10 & 11 Eliz. 2. c. 46. | Transport Act 1962. | In Part I of Schedule 2, the entry relating to the Diseases of Animals Act 1950. 1963 c. 11. | Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1963. | Sections 13 and 14. Section 16(1). In section 16(3), the words— (a) “the Minister to whom the fee was paid or, as the case maybe,” ; and (b) “he or”. 1963 c. 33. | London Government Act 1963. | In section 54(4), the words “The Diseases of Animals Act 1950”. In Part I of Schedule 13, paragraph 1. 1967 c. 22. | Agriculture Act 1967. | Section 66. 1967 c. 80. | Criminal Justice Act 1967. | In Part I of Schedule 3, the entry relating to the Diseases of Animals Act 1950. 1968 c. 67. | Medicines Act 1968. | In Schedule 6, the entry relating to Part II of and Schedule 3 to the Diseases of Animals Act 1950. 1969 c. 28. | Ponies Act 1969. | The whole Act. 1970 c. 40. | Agriculture Act 1970. | Section 105(2) to (5). Section 106(3). 1971 c. 23. | Courts Act 1971. | In Part I of Schedule 9, the entry relating to the Diseases of Animals Act 1950. 1972 c. 62. | Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1972. | Sections 1 to 3. 1972 c. 68. | European Communities Act 1972. | In Schedule 4, paragraph 7. 1973 c. 65. | Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. | Section 144(1), (2). 1974 c. 7. | Local Government Act 1974. | In Schedule 6, paragraph 7. 1974 c. 17. | Rabies Act 1974. | The whole Act. 1975 c. 40. | Diseases of Animals Act 1975. | The whole Act. 1976 c. 55. | Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. | Sections 8 to 10. In Schedule 3, the reference to the Diseases of Animals Act 1950. 1976 c. 63. | Bail Act 1976. | In Schedule 2, paragraph 13. 1977 c. 45. | Criminal Law Act 1977. | Section 55(1) to (3). 1979 c. 2. | Customs and Excise Management Act 1979. | In Part I of the Table of textual amendments in paragraph 12 of Schedule 4, the entry relating to the Diseases of Animals Act 1950.

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