Act No. 25 on animal diseases and measures to control them.

The present Act lays down rules on animal diseases and their prevention. It consists of the following chapters: I. Purpose, scope and management; II. Glossary; III. Obligation to report and diagnose; IV. Defensive measures; V. Preventive measures; VI. Costs and compensation; VII. Various provisions; VIII. Penalties and entry into force. The purpose of the Act is to : (a) promote good animal health in the country and prevent new infectious diseases from entering the country; (b) monitor and prevent the spread of animal diseases and work towards their eradication; (c) ensure that livestock products, produced in the country or imported into the country are as healthy as possible. The Act applies to all diseases in animals, including domestic animals, pets and wild animals. It contains a general obligation resting on anyone who has reason to believe that an animal is suffering from an infectious disease covered by this Act to immediately notify the nearest veterinarian or the police, as well as specific obligations for all those who work in veterinary medicine. The Act orders the issuance of a regulation laying down further provisions on the implementation of this Act; a special regulation on the import and export of marine animal; and a special regulation on the import and export of farm animals and their products in order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. These shall be issued by the Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture or the Ministry of Industry and Innovation, according to their subject areas.