The Brucellosis Order 1997

Precautions against the spread of infection

11.—(1) Where an appropriate officer has certified that any bovine animal kept on any premises has reacted to a diagnostic test for brucellosis, the occupier of the premises shall, on being given notice of the certification, take all reasonable steps to prevent the infection of bovine animals kept on adjoining premises by contact with bovine animals kept on his premises.

(2) Where an appropriate officer has certified that any bovine animal kept on any premises has reacted to a diagnostic test for brucellosis or he reasonably believes it is infected with that disease, he may serve a notice on the owner or occupier of the premises requiring him to ensure that milk from such animals is not fed to other animals on the same premises or any other premises unless it has been pasteurised, sterilised or ultra-heat treated.

(3) Where an appropriate officer reasonably believes that any bovine animal kept or formerly kept on any premises is infected with brucellosis, or has been exposed to the risk of infection by that disease, he may serve a notice on the owner or person in charge of that animal requiring him to—

(a)arrange for the isolation of any animal or animals which may be specified in the notice on any part or parts of the premises so specified;

(b)ensure that any part or parts of the premises specified in the notice shall not be used by any animals on the premises, or by such animals as may be specified;

(c)cleanse and disinfect at his own expense such part or parts of the premises as may be specified in the notice, or any vehicle, plant or equipment before it leaves the premises;

(d)treat and store manure or slurry from any place which has been used by such an animal and to restrict the spreading of manure or the spraying of such slurry in accordance with the requirements of the notice; and

(e)burn, disinfect, bury or destroy any straw, litter or other matter which has or might have, come into contact with such animal or its foetus or calf and planceta in accordance with the terms specified in the notice.

(4) A notice served in accordance with paragraph (3) above may require any cow or heifer on the premises which is about to calve to be isolated as far as practicable from all other bovine animals on the premises during the period of calving.

(5) Where an appropriate officer reasonably believes that any bovine animal which is present at, or has been present at any slaughterhouse or other premises used for a show, exhibition, market, sale or fair is infected with brucellosis, he may serve a notice on the occupier of such slaughterhouse or other premises, prescribing the manner in which any manure, slurry or other animal waste, straw, litter or other matter which has come into contact with any such animal, is disposed of.

(6) If any person on whom a notice under paragraph (5) above is served fails to comply with it, the appropriate officer may, without prejudice to any proceedings for an offence arising out of such default, carry out or cause to be carried out the requirements of the notice and the expenses incurred by him shall be recoverable by the appropriate Minister from the person in default.