Act concerning the defence against and elimination of epizootic diseases.

This Federal Act, consisting of 79 articles, lists the notifiable animal diseases and lays down related provisions. The provisions of this Federal Act apply to domestic animals as well as animals that are kept like domestic animals or in zoos or in a similar way.
The Federal Act defines when animals may be considered infected: if they have symptoms that lead to the fear of an outbreak of an animal disease or if they are carriers of germs of an animal disease and that they can spread them further.
The Federal Act empowers the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Minister for Health and Environmental Protection to determine proper provisions and ordinances in the event of an epidemic occurrence of diseases in animals.
The Federal Act concerns prevention of the introduction of animal diseases from third countries and related restriction on animal trade and provides for authority and veterinarian controls.
Concerning specific measures to prevent the spread and to eradicate animal diseases, this Federal Act provides for: registration and reporting obligations for animal owners and farms; identification of animals; monitoring of animal trade; vaccinations; detailed systems for processing animal carcasses and removal of cadavers; protection and repayment measures; special provisions for slaughter cattle facilities; compensation for livestock losses and for items destroyed as a result of disinfection, with detailed measures for ruminants, equines, swines, poultry.
The last articles concern provisions relating to penalties, appeals and compensation. Appendix A lists the species whose husbandry is to be reported.