Animal Diseases and Animal Pests (Emergency Outbreaks) Act 1991

This Act makes provision for the detection, containment and eradication of certain diseases affecting livestock and other animals. For this purpose, Part 2 establishes obligations of animal owners and others to notify exotic diseases to the appropriate authorities and to separate infected animals and products from animals or animal products not so infected. Further provisions state the powers of the Minister to declare by order in writing: (a) infected places; (b) restricted areas; and (c) control areas. In case of reasonable suspicion about the outbreak of an exotic disease, the Minister may declare any premises, place or area to be an infected place or any vehicle to be an infected vehicle. Any movement of a vehicle into or out of an infected place, and any movement of persons, animals, animal products, fodder or fittings into or out of an infected place or infected vehicle is subject to the possession of a permit and must be made only through a point or points specified in a notice issued by an inspector.
Possibily infected premises, place or area within the State may by order of the Minister be declared a restricted area. The boundaries of a restricted area as fixed by the relevant declaration may, for the purpose of containment of an exotic disease, be varied by an order of the Minister. The Minister may, make an area restriction order, requiring: (a) animals to be vaccinated; (b) facilities to be provided for the inspection, testing, vaccination or treatment of animals; (c) animals, premises, vehicles or things to de disinfected; (d) any other measures which the Minister considers reasonably necessary in the circumstances.
The Minister may by order declare control areas. The declaration must identify the classes or descriptions of animals or animal products that are affected by the disease. The Minister may also prohibit, or impose conditions on, the entry or importation into the State of: (a) animals, animal products, fodder or fittings; or (b) vehicles of a type usually used for the transportation of such animals, animal products, fodder or fittings. Furthermore, he may require the destruction of: (a) any domestic animal which is infected with an exotic disease; or (b) any premises (other than a dwelling) or any animal product, fodder, fittings or vehicle which is reasonably suspected to be infected with an exotic disease and which cannot be effectively disinfected. Part 5 deals with the powers of inspectors as regards local quarantines, disinfection orders, powers of seizure, powers to obtain information, etc. Part 6 provides for the establishment of the Exotic Diseases Compensation and Eradication Fund.