Epizootic Disease Act (1999:657).

This Act contains regulates contagious animal diseases that can spread among animals or from animals to humans and that pose serious risks to health or cause major economic losses. The diseases which fall under its scope are established through government regulations. The Act complements relevant EU legislation, particularly Regulation (EU) 2017/625 on official controls. It defines responsibilities for animal keepers, veterinarians, laboratories, and authorities in the event of suspected outbreaks. Anyone who suspects that animals under their care are infected must immediately notify a veterinarian, while veterinarians and laboratories are required to report suspected or confirmed cases to the Swedish Board of Agriculture, county administrative boards, and other relevant authorities. Restrictions such as movement bans, quarantine zones, and mandatory culling may be imposed to prevent further spread.
The Act gives the Swedish Board of Agriculture and other designated authorities broad powers to adopt preventive and control measures. These include ordering the slaughter or destruction of animals, products, or materials that may spread infection, enforcing vaccination, sanitation, and disinfection procedures, regulating animal transport, and imposing access restrictions to facilities. Local authorities, veterinarians, and even slaughterhouse operators may be required to cooperate in disease control. Official control and monitoring are carried out by the Board of Agriculture and county boards, with provisions for coordination, information duties, and delegation of tasks to accredited bodies or individuals. EU institutions such as the European Commission and the European Court of Auditors are also granted rights to inspect and demand information to ensure compliance with EU rules.
The Act also contains provisions on compensation, penalties, and appeals. Animal owners and others who suffer economic losses due to compulsory disease control measures—such as slaughter, production losses, or decontamination—are entitled to state compensation, though this may be reduced if negligence is involved. In some cases, compensation is only partial or capped according to government rules. Failure to comply with reporting duties, restrictions, or official decisions can result in fines or imprisonment of up to one year. Most administrative decisions under the Act can be appealed to the general administrative courts, though some emergency measures by veterinarians are not subject to appeal.