Animal Health Act 1981 (Chapter 22).

This Act, amended by the Animal Health and Welfare Act 1984 and the Animal Health Act 2002, gives ample regulatory powers to the 'Ministers' (responsible in England, Scotland and Wales for agriculture) and also some to local authorities in respect to prevention and fighting of animal diseases. They also may pay for the veterinary services of livestock farmers who participate in ministry approved codes of practice for keeping stock in general good health. The Ministers have power to regulate cleansing of market places, areas where stock are sold or bought, yards, sheds, stables etc., and also equipment used to carry animals. Ministers have power to regulate movement of animals and animal products (including carcasses). This applies both nationally, and internationally. If a suspect animal is quarantined, prior to export, and slaughtered in the quarantine station, no compensation is due. Upon discovery of a diseased animal, that person must separate that animal from others not affected, and notify the local police. In order to prevent disease spread, it may then be necessary to treat any animal or bird which may have come in contact with the diseased animal or be in an infected area, with serum or vaccine or both. The government has powers to authorise culling of suspected animals, erection of fences or barriers, and to regulate the disposal of consequent carcasses. The occupier of the land must be informed. The government also has the power to order the destruction of diseased wildlife, if this is thought necessary to eliminate the disease in that area. The Nature Conservancy Council will be consulted prior to this. Again, the government will be responsible for the disposal of the carcass, and also for informing the occupier prior to destruction. In cases of diseased animals where human health may be at risk, the owner is legally obliged to be 'upfront & truthful'. Any animal with suspected infection of any of the following diseases: Cattle Plague; Pleuro Pneumonia; Foot and mouth disease; Swine fever; Diseases of poultry is subject to special provisions laid out in schedule 3 of the Act, and may be slaughtered. Ministers have the power to order, where they deem necessary, that animals in transit have proper ventilation, food and water, and protect them from unnecessary suffering. To this end, persons may be required to provide information concerning the destination of an animal, and arrangements for the safe passage of such an animal.
The Act contains provisions aimed at protecting food quality and safety that impose restriction on importation of animals and carcases, carcases of poultry and eggs; and other things, whether animate or in, animate, by or by means of which it appears to them that any disease might be carried or transmitted.