Part 1 Animal health

Powers of slaughter

1 Slaughter for preventing spread of disease

(1) In the Animal Health Act 1981 (c. 22) (in this Part referred to as the “1981 Act”), after section 32D there is inserted—

“32E Slaughter for preventing spread of disease: Scotland

Schedule 3A to this Act has effect as to slaughter in relation to—

(a) cattle plague;

(b) pleuro-pneumonia;

(c) foot-and-mouth disease;

(d) swine-fever;

(e) diseases of poultry; and

(f) such other diseases as are specified under paragraph 6 of that Schedule.”.

(2) After Schedule 3 to that Act there is inserted—

“SCHEDULE 3A Power of slaughter for preventing spread of disease: Scotland

(introduced by section 32E)

Cattle plague

1 With a view to preventing the spread of cattle plague, the Scottish Ministers may, if they think fit, cause any animals to be slaughtered.

Pleuro-pneumonia

2 With a view to preventing the spread of pleuro-pneumonia, the Scottish Ministers may, if they think fit, cause any cattle to be slaughtered.

Foot-and-mouth disease

3 With a view to preventing the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, the Scottish Ministers may, if they think fit, cause any animals to be slaughtered.

Swine-fever

4 With a view to preventing the spread of swine-fever, the Scottish Ministers may, if they think fit, cause any swine to be slaughtered.

Diseases of poultry

5 With a view to preventing the spread of diseases of poultry, the Scottish Ministers may, if they think fit, cause any animals or birds to be slaughtered.

Additional power of slaughter

6 (1) With a view to preventing the spread of such disease of animals as the Scottish Ministers may by order specify, the Scottish Ministers may, if they think fit, cause to be slaughtered any animals, birds or amphibians of such description as they may so specify.

(2) A specification of animals under sub-paragraph (1) may include any kind of mammal (except man).

(3) In sub-paragraph (1), “disease” is not restricted by its definition in this Act.

Exercise of powers of slaughter

7 The Scottish Ministers may, in relation to a disease, exercise a power of slaughter conferred by paragraphs 1 to 6 whether or not the animals, birds or amphibians concerned—

(a) are affected with the disease or suspected of being affected with the disease;

(b) are or have been in contact with animals, birds or amphibians affected with the disease;

(c) have been in any way exposed to the disease; or

(d) have been treated with serum or vaccine (or both) against the disease.

Compensation

8 (1) The Scottish Ministers must pay compensation, of such amount as they may prescribe by order, in respect of—

(a) any animals slaughtered under paragraphs 1 to 5; and

(b) any animals—

(i) of any kind to which a power of slaughter under those paragraphs relates; and

(ii) which are slaughtered by virtue of paragraph 6.

(2) An order under sub-paragraph (1) may make different provision for different cases or classes of case.

(3) An order under sub-paragraph (1) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Scottish Parliament.

Orders

9 (1) No order is made under paragraph 6 unless a draft of the order has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Scottish Parliament.

(2) But where the Scottish Ministers are of the opinion that there exists—

(a) an outbreak of a disease of animals not specified in or by virtue of paragraphs 1 to 6; or

(b) some other emergency relating to a disease of animals,

sub-paragraph (1) does not apply in relation to the making of an order under paragraph 6.

(3) Where sub-paragraph (2) applies, an order made accordingly (an “emergency order”)—

(a) is to be laid before the Scottish Parliament; and

(b) ceases to have effect at the expiry of a period of 28 days beginning with the date on which it was made unless, before the expiry of that period, the order has been approved by a resolution of the Parliament.

(4) However, paragraph (b) of sub-paragraph (3) does not apply in relation to an order which—

(a) revokes (wholly or partly) an emergency order; and

(b) does nothing else, or nothing else except make provision incidental or supplementary to the revocation.

(5) In reckoning for the purposes of sub-paragraph (3)(b) any period of 28 days, no account is to be taken of any period during which the Scottish Parliament is—

(a) dissolved; or

(b) in recess for more than 4 days.

(6) Sub-paragraph (3)(b) is without prejudice to anything previously done by reference to an emergency order or to the making of a new emergency order.

(7) An emergency order must include a description of the emergency in relation to which the order is made.

(8) In sub-paragraph (2), “disease” is not restricted by its definition in this Act.”.

2 Slaughter of treated animals

After section 16A of the 1981 Act there is inserted—

“16B Slaughter of treated animals: Scotland

(1) Subsection (4) applies to any animal or bird which has been treated with serum or vaccine (or both) for the purpose of preventing the spread of—

(a) cattle plague;

(b) pleuro-pneumonia;

(c) foot-and-mouth disease;

(d) swine-fever; or

(e) diseases of poultry.

(2) Subsection (4) also applies to any animal or bird which has been treated with serum or vaccine (or both) for the purpose of preventing the spread of such other disease of animals as the Scottish Ministers may by order specify.

(3) The references in subsections (1) and (2) to any animal which has been treated mean any kind of mammal (except man); and the power conferred by subsection (4) is exercisable accordingly.

(4) The Scottish Ministers may, for the purpose of securing (or contributing to the securing of) disease-free status, cause to be slaughtered any animal or bird to which this subsection applies.

(5) The Scottish Ministers must pay compensation, of such amount as they may prescribe by order, in respect of any animals—

(a) slaughtered under subsection (4); and

(b) of a kind to which the power of slaughter under that subsection would relate if subsection (3) were omitted.

(6) An order under subsection (5) may make different provision for different cases or classes of case.

(7) An order under subsection (5) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Scottish Parliament.

(8) An order made under subsection (2)—

(a) is to be laid before the Scottish Parliament; and

(b) ceases to have effect at the expiry of a period of 28 days beginning with the date on which it was made unless, before the expiry of that period, the order has been approved by a resolution of the Parliament.

(9) However, paragraph (b) of subsection (8) does not apply in relation to an order which—

(a) revokes (wholly or partly) a previous order; and

(b) does nothing else, or nothing else except make provision incidental or supplementary to the revocation.

(10) In reckoning for the purposes of subsection (8)(b) any period of 28 days, no account is to be taken of any period during which the Scottish Parliament is—

(a) dissolved; or

(b) in recess for more than 4 days.

(11) Subsection (8)(b) is without prejudice to anything previously done by reference to an order made under subsection (2) or to the making of a new order under that subsection.

(12) An order under subsection (2) must refer to the circumstances in relation to which the order is made.

(13) In subsection (2), “disease” is not restricted by its definition in this Act.

(14) In subsection (4), “disease-free status” means recognition in accordance with any rule of the European Community or any other international rule that in a particular area no animals or birds of a particular class are infected by a particular disease or class of disease.”.

3 Disease control (slaughter) statement

After section 32E (inserted by section 1 of this Act) of the 1981 Act there is inserted—

“32F Disease control (slaughter) statement: Scotland

(1) Before exercising, in relation to a particular event or state of affairs (regardless of its geographical extent), a power of slaughter conferred by or under—

(a) section 16B of this Act; or

(b) Schedule 3A to this Act,

the Scottish Ministers must make a statement under this subsection.

(2) The statement—

(a) must—

(i) describe the event or state of affairs concerned; and

(ii) express the reason why there is (in addition to, or as an alternative to, other courses of action) to be resort to exercise of that particular power for the relevant purpose;

(b) may include further information, for example—

(i) about factors that have been taken into account (including types of advice to which regard has been had);

(ii) as to procedures that are to be followed.

(3) The Scottish Ministers are to—

(a) make the statement in such manner; and

(b) publicise the statement to such extent,

as they consider appropriate.”.

Prevention of the spread of disease

4 Biosecurity codes

After section 6B of the 1981 Act there is inserted—

“6C Biosecurity codes: Scotland

(1) The Scottish Ministers may make an order containing a code (referred to in this section and section 6D as a “biosecurity code”) which makes provision for the taking of, and in relation to, the measures specified in subsection (2).

(2) Those are measures (“biosecurity measures”) for preventing—

(a) diseases of animals;

(b) the spread of causative agents of diseases of animals—

(i) among animals, birds or amphibians;

(ii) between any of those categories of creature and another of those categories; or

(iii) from any of those categories of creature to humans.

(3) In subsection (2)(b), “causative agent”, in relation to a disease, includes any virus, bacterium and any other organism or infectious substance which may cause or transmit the disease.

(4) A biosecurity code may relate solely to one, or more than one—

(a) kind of creature; or

(b) disease.

(5) A biosecurity code may include guidance as to the best practicable means of taking biosecurity measures.

(6) A biosecurity code may—

(a) prescribe general requirements to which persons to whom the code applies are subject;

(b) prescribe particular requirements to which such persons are, in such circumstances as are specified in the code, subject; and

(c) specify circumstances in which any person is to be regarded for the purposes of this section as complying with, or (as the case may be) not complying with, any requirements prescribed under paragraphs (a) or (b).

(7) A biosecurity code may make different provision for different cases or classes of case.

(8) A biosecurity code applies, to the extent provided for in the code, to any person who owns, keeps or is in charge of any creature of a kind to which the code relates.

(9) A person must, to the extent to which a biosecurity code applies to the person, comply with the code.

(10) A person who is subject to a requirement prescribed under subsection (6)(a) or (b) commits an offence if, without lawful authority or excuse (proof of which lies on the person), that person fails to comply with the requirement.

(11) Before making an order under subsection (1), the Scottish Ministers must consult such persons as they consider appropriate about the proposed biosecurity code.

(12) A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (1) is not made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Scottish Parliament.

(13) In sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph (b) of subsection (2), the reference to animals means any kind of mammal (except man).

(14) In this section and section 6D(1)(b), “disease” is not restricted by its definition in this Act.

6D Emergency biosecurity orders: Scotland

(1) Where the Scottish Ministers are of the opinion that there exists—

(a) an outbreak of a disease specified in Schedule 2B to this Act; or

(b) some other emergency relating to a disease of animals,

subsections (11) and (12) of section 6C do not apply in relation to the making of an order under subsection (1) of that section containing a biosecurity code relating to the outbreak or, as the case may be, the other emergency.

(2) Where subsection (1) applies, an order made accordingly (an “emergency order”)—

(a) is to be laid before the Scottish Parliament; and

(b) ceases to have effect at the expiry of a period of 28 days beginning with the date on which it was made unless, before the expiry of that period, the order has been approved by a resolution of the Parliament.

(3) However, paragraph (b) of subsection (2) does not apply in relation to an order which—

(a) revokes (wholly or partly) an emergency order; and

(b) does nothing else, or nothing else except make provision incidental or supplementary to the revocation.

(4) In reckoning for the purposes of subsection (2)(b) any period of 28 days, no account is to be taken of any period during which the Scottish Parliament is—

(a) dissolved; or

(b) in recess for more than 4 days.

(5) Subsection (2)(b) is without prejudice to anything previously done by reference to an emergency order or to the making of a new emergency order.

(6) An emergency order must include a description of the emergency in relation to which the order is made.”.

5 Tests and samples

After section 6D (inserted by section 4 of this Act) of the 1981 Act there is inserted—

“6E Tests and samples: Scotland

(1) An inspector may at any time enter any premises in Scotland for the purpose of ascertaining (any or all)—

(a) whether—

(i) biological indicators of any disease of animals;

(ii) biological indicators of any causative agent of a disease of animals,

exist in animals, birds or amphibians on the premises;

(b) whether any animals, birds or amphibians on the premises or which were kept there at any time are, or were at the time they were so kept, infected with a disease of animals;

(c) whether any causative agent of a disease of animals is present on the premises.

(2) The inspector may take such samples (including samples from any animals, birds or amphibians on the premises) and carry out such tests as the inspector thinks are necessary for a purpose mentioned in subsection (1).

(3) In subsections (1) and (2), the references to animals in which biological indicators exist, infected with a disease or from which samples may be taken means any kind of mammal (except man).

(4) In this section—

• “biological indicator”—

  (a)

  in relation to a disease, includes evidence of any form of reaction to the disease;

  (b)

  in relation to a causative agent, includes—

  (i)

  anti-bodies in reaction to the causative agent;

  (ii)

  evidence of any other form of reaction to the causative agent;

• “causative agent”, in relation to a disease, includes any virus, bacterium and any other organism or infectious substance which may cause or transmit the disease;

• “disease” is not restricted by its definition in this Act;

• “inspector” means—

  (a)

  a person appointed as an inspector for the purposes of this Act by the Scottish Ministers; or

  (b)

  a person authorised by the Scottish Ministers for those purposes;

• “premises” includes—

  (a)

  any land or building; or

  (b)

  any other place, in particular—

  (i)

  a vehicle or vessel; or

  (ii)

  a tent or moveable structure.

6F Samples: further testing

(1) Where a sample from any animal, bird or amphibian has been taken—

(a) under any enactment; and

(b) in relation to the monitoring, control or prevention of any disease of animals,

the Scottish Ministers (or a person authorised by them) may carry out such tests using the sample as they think are necessary or expedient for the purposes of the monitoring, control or prevention of any other disease of animals.

(2) Except in the circumstances described in subsection (3), the power conferred by subsection (1) is not exercisable unless the sample has previously been used for a test authorised under the relevant enactment.

(3) Those circumstances are—

(a) where the Scottish Ministers are of the opinion that there exists an emergency in relation to a disease of animals; and

(b) the tests to be carried out under subsection (1) are in connection with the emergency.

(4) A person who possesses a sample required for the carrying out of a test under subsection (1) must give the sample to the Scottish Ministers (or a person authorised by them) by such time as they may direct.

(5) In subsection (1), the first reference to an animal means any kind of mammal (except man).

(6) In this section—

• “disease” is not restricted by its definition in this Act;

• “enactment” includes an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament.”.

6 Animal gatherings

After section 8 of the 1981 Act there is inserted—

“8A Animal gatherings: Scotland

(1) The Scottish Ministers may by order make provision for or in connection with the licensing (by them or by other persons on their behalf) of the holding of animal gatherings.

(2) An order under subsection (1) must be with a view to the prevention of the spread of disease.

(3) In this section, an “animal gathering” means an occasion at which animals or birds (or both) are brought together for any purpose.

(4) But, for the purposes of subsection (3), an occasion is not an animal gathering if—

(a) all the animals or birds involved are owned by the same person; or

(b) the occasion—

(i) takes place on land in respect of which more than one person has a right of use; and

(ii) involves animals or birds all of which are owned by persons who have a right of use of the land.

(5) An order under subsection (1) may, in particular, include provision as to—

(a) the procedure to be followed in relation to an application for a licence;

(b) any considerations to be taken into account in determining an application;

(c) the duration and renewal of a licence;

(d) conditions that must or may be imposed on granting or renewing a licence;

(e) circumstances in which a licence (or any of the conditions imposed in relation to the licence) must or may be revoked or suspended;

(f) requirements for notification of any granting, renewal, revocation, suspension or variation of a licence;

(g) appeals in connection with licences.

(6) An order under subsection (1) may, in particular, also include provision as to the inspection, for the purpose of ensuring compliance with any condition of a licence, of premises where animal gatherings may take, or are taking or have taken, place.

(7) Conditions under subsection (5)(d) may, in particular, relate to measures for the prevention of the spread of disease.

(8) A person who holds a licence in accordance with an order made under subsection (1) commits an offence if, without excuse (proof of which lies on the person), that person contravenes any condition of the licence.

(9) A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (1) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Scottish Parliament.

(10) An order under subsection (1) may make different provision for different cases or classes of case.

(11) Before making an order under subsection (1), the Scottish Ministers must consult—

(a) such persons appearing to them to represent relevant interests; and

(b) such other persons,

as they consider appropriate.

(12) In this section, “premises” includes—

(a) any land or building; or

(b) any other place, in particular—

(i) a vehicle or vessel; or

(ii) a tent or moveable structure.”.

7 Treatment

(1) In section 16 (treatment after exposure to infection) of the 1981 Act—

(a) subsection (1) is repealed,

(b) after that subsection there is inserted—

“(1A) For the purpose of preventing the spread of diseases of animals, the Scottish Ministers may, if they think fit, cause to be treated with serum or vaccine, or with both serum and vaccine, any animal or bird.

(1B) The animals which may be treated under subsection (1A) are any kind of mammal (except man).

(1C) In subsection (1A), “disease” is not restricted by its definition in this Act.”.

(2) In subsection (2) of that section—

(a) for the words “officer of the Minister” there is substituted “inspector”, and

(b) for the words from “land” to the end there is substituted “premises”.

(3) After that subsection there is added—

“(3) In this section—

• “inspector” means—

  (a)

  a person appointed as an inspector for the purposes of this Act by the Scottish Ministers; or

  (b)

  a person authorised by the Scottish Ministers for those purposes;

• “premises” includes—

  (a)

  any land or building; or

  (b)

  any other place, in particular—

  (i)

  a vehicle or vessel; or

  (ii)

  a tent or moveable structure.”.

8 Seizure of carcases etc.

After section 36 of the 1981 Act there is inserted—

“36ZA Seizure of carcases etc.: further provision for Scotland

(1) The Scottish Ministers may by order make provision for—

(a) the seizure of anything (whether animate or inanimate) which appears to them might be capable of carrying or transmitting any disease to which this subsection applies;

(b) the destruction, burial, disposal or treatment of anything seized under the order; and

(c) regulating the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b).

(2) Subsection (1) does not authorise provision for the seizure of a live animal, bird or amphibian; but an order under that subsection may provide for the seizure of carcases and of anything obtained from or produced by an animal, bird or amphibian.

(3) Subsection (1) applies to the diseases in the case of which any power of slaughter is exercisable under or by virtue of section 16B, Part 2B or Schedule 3A.

(4) A person commits an offence if, without lawful authority or excuse (proof of which lies on the person), that person throws or places, or causes or suffers to be thrown or placed, into—

(a) any river, stream, canal, navigation or other water; or

(b) the sea within 4.8 kilometres of the shore,

the carcase of, or anything obtained from or produced by, an animal, bird or amphibian which has been slaughtered in the exercise of any power conferred by or under section 16B, Part 2B or Schedule 3A.

(5) In this section, the references to an animal mean any kind of mammal (except man).

36ZB Compensation for seizure

(1) The Scottish Ministers must pay compensation for anything seized under an order made under section 36ZA(1).

(2) But subsection (1) does not apply to—

(a) carcases seized; or

(b) other things seized which are obtained from or produced by creatures.

(3) The Scottish Ministers may pay compensation for—

(a) carcases seized under an order made under section 36ZA(1);

(b) other things seized under such an order which are obtained from or produced by creatures,

of such description as the Scottish Ministers may specify by order.

(4) The compensation payable under subsection (1) or (3) for anything seized shall be its value at the time of seizure.

(5) Where anything destroyed, buried or disposed of under an order made under paragraph (e) of section 23 could have been seized under an order made under section 36ZA(1), compensation (if any) is payable under subsections (1) or (3) as if the thing had been so seized at the time of destruction, burial or disposal.

(6) The Scottish Ministers may make such orders as they think fit for—

(a) prescribing how the value of anything seized under section 36ZA(1) is to be ascertained;

(b) regulating applications for, and the mode of payment of, any compensation payable by virtue of this section.”.

9 Specified diseases

(1) After section 28H (inserted by section 10 of this Act) of the 1981 Act there is inserted—

“28I Specified diseases: Scotland

(1) Schedule 2B to this Act has effect as to the specification of certain diseases of animals.

(2) The Scottish Ministers may by order modify Schedule 2B.

(3) An order made under subsection (2)—

(a) is to be laid before the Scottish Parliament; and

(b) ceases to have effect at the expiry of a period of 28 days beginning with the date on which it was made unless, before the expiry of that period, the order has been approved by a resolution of the Parliament.

(4) However, paragraph (b) of subsection (3) does not apply in relation to an order which—

(a) revokes (wholly or partly) a previous order; and

(b) does nothing else, or nothing else except make provision incidental or supplementary to the revocation.

(5) In reckoning for the purposes of subsection (3)(b) any period of 28 days, no account is to be taken of any period during which the Scottish Parliament is—

(a) dissolved; or

(b) in recess for more than 4 days.

(6) Subsection (3)(b) is without prejudice to anything previously done by reference to a modification made by an order under subsection (2) or to the making of a new order under that subsection.

(7) An order under subsection (2) must include a statement of the reasons for making the order.”.

(2) After Schedule 2A of that Act there is inserted—

“SCHEDULE 2B Specified diseases: Scotland

(introduced by section 28I)

• African horse sickness

• African swine fever

• Bluetongue

• Bovine brucellosis

• Classical swine fever

• Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia

• Foot-and-mouth disease

• Highly pathogenic avian influenza

• Lumpy skin disease

• Newcastle disease

• Peste des petits ruminants

• Rift Valley fever

• Rinderpest

• Sheep pox and goat pox

• Swine vesicular disease

• Vesicular stomatitis.”.

Deliberate infection of animals

10 Deliberate infection of animals

After section 28B of the 1981 Act there is inserted—

“28C Deliberate infection: Scotland

(1) A person commits an offence if, without lawful authority or excuse (proof of which lies on the person), that person—

(a) knowingly does anything which causes or is intended to cause; or

(b) recklessly causes,

an animal or bird to be infected with a disease specified in Schedule 2B to this Act.

(2) A person commits an offence if, without lawful authority or excuse (proof of which lies on the person), that person acquires or retains—

(a) an animal or bird; or

(b) the carcase of an animal or bird,

which the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, to be infected with a disease specified in Schedule 2B to this Act.

(3) A person commits an offence if, without lawful authority or excuse (proof of which lies on the person), that person acquires or retains anything obtained from, produced by or used in connection with—

(a) an animal or bird; or

(b) the carcase of an animal or bird,

which the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, to be infected with a disease specified in Schedule 2B to this Act.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or to both.

(5) In this section and sections 28D to 28H, the references to an animal mean any kind of mammal (except man).

28D Deliberate infection: deprivation of entitlement to compensation

(1) Where a person is convicted of an offence under section 28C, any provision of this Act by virtue of which compensation is payable to the person does not apply in respect of anything to which this subsection applies.

(2) Subsection (1) applies to animals to which that offence relates.

(3) Subsection (1) also applies to any other animals which were kept on the same premises as the animals referred to in subsection (2)—

(a) at the same time (or any part of the time) as those animals; and

(b) at or after the time when the offence was committed,

and in relation to which compensation would be payable but for this section.

(4) Subsection (1) also applies to—

(a) any carcases seized under an order made under section 35(1) or 36ZA(1)—

(i) which are of the animals referred to in subsection (2) or of the other animals referred to in subsection (3); and

(ii) in relation to which compensation would be payable but for this section;

(b) other things seized under such an order—

(i) which were obtained from or produced by those animals; and

(ii) in relation to which compensation would be payable but for this section; and

(c) anything else—

(i) seized under such an order; and

(ii) which was present on the same premises as those animals, or those carcases or other things, at the time described by paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (3),

and in relation to which compensation would be payable but for this section.

(5) Any compensation paid to a person in respect of anything to which subsection (1) applies may be recovered by the Scottish Ministers.

(6) In subsection (3), “premises” includes—

(a) any land or building; or

(b) any other place, in particular—

(i) a vehicle or vessel; or

(ii) a tent or moveable structure.

28E Deliberate infection: deprivation orders

(1) Where a person is convicted of—

(a) an offence under section 28C; or

(b) an offence under section 28F(16) by reason of owning or keeping an animal,

the convicting court may make an order (in this section and section 28H referred to as a “deprivation order”) in respect of any animal in relation to which the offence was committed.

(2) A deprivation order is an order—

(a) depriving a person of possession or ownership (or both) of an animal; and

(b) for—

(i) the destruction;

(ii) the sale; or

(iii) another disposal,

of the animal.

(3) Where the court decides not to make a deprivation order in relation to an offence referred to in subsection (1), it must state its reasons except where it makes a disqualification order in relation to the offence.

(4) A deprivation order may be made in addition to, or instead of, any other penalty or order which may be imposed in relation to a relevant offence.

(5) A deprivation order may make provision in respect of any dependent offspring of an animal to which it applies.

(6) A deprivation order may include—

(a) provision—

(i) appointing a person who is to secure that the order is carried out;

(ii) requiring any person possessing an animal to which the order applies to give it up to a person appointed under sub-paragraph (i);

(b) provision authorising—

(i) a person appointed under paragraph (a)(i); and

(ii) any person acting on that person’s behalf,

to enter, for the purposes of securing that the order is carried out, any premises where an animal to which the order applies is kept;

(c) such other provision as the court considers appropriate in connection with the order.

(7) Provision under subsection (6)(c) may, in particular—

(a) require reimbursement of any expenses reasonably incurred in carrying out the order;

(b) relate to the retention of any proceeds of the disposal.

(8) The court may not make a deprivation order involving the destruction of an animal unless it is satisfied, on evidence provided (orally or in writing) by a veterinary surgeon, that destruction would be in the interests of the animal.

(9) Before making a deprivation order, the court must give the owner of the animal concerned an opportunity to make representations unless it is not practicable for it to do so.

(10) A deprivation order is, for the purposes of any appeal under the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 46), to be treated as a sentence.

(11) Where a deprivation order is made, any person (apart from a person who may appeal against the order by virtue of subsection (10)) who has an interest in any animal to which the order applies may appeal to the High Court of Justiciary against the order by the same procedure as applies under subsection (10).

(12) In this section and section 28G, “premises” includes—

(a) any land or building; or

(b) any other place, in particular—

(i) a vehicle or vessel; or

(ii) a tent or moveable structure.

(13) In this section and section 28G, “veterinary surgeon” means a person registered in the register of veterinary surgeons, or the supplementary veterinary register, kept under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (c. 36).

28F Deliberate infection: disqualification orders

(1) Where a person is convicted of an offence under section 28C or subsection (16), the convicting court may make an order (in section 28E, this section and section 28G referred to as a “disqualification order”) disqualifying that person, for such period as it thinks fit, from one or more of the activities specified in subsection (2).

(2) Those activities are—

(a) owning or keeping animals (or both);

(b) dealing in animals;

(c) transporting animals;

(d) working with or using animals;

(e) riding or driving animals;

(f) providing any service relating to animals (including, in particular, for their care) which involves taking possession of animals;

(g) taking possession of animals for the purpose of an activity in respect of which a disqualification mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (f) is imposed;

(h) taking charge of animals for any, or any other, purpose.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), disqualification in respect of an activity specified in subsection (2) includes disqualification from any participation in the activity including, in particular—

(a) making arrangements in connection with the activity;

(b) being party to arrangements under which the activity may be controlled or influenced;

(c) being concerned (so far as relating to the activity) in the management or control of a body whose business involves the activity.

(4) However, disqualification by reference to subsection (2)(h) does not include disqualification from taking charge of an animal for so long as is necessary in the circumstances—

(a) with the consent of the owner or keeper of the animal, for the purpose of caring for it;

(b) for the purpose of alleviating any suffering of the animal,

if no alternative arrangements for its care are reasonably available.

(5) Where the court decides not to make a disqualification order in relation to an offence under section 28C or subsection (16), it must state its reasons.

(6) A disqualification order may be made in addition to, or instead of, any other penalty or order which may be imposed in relation to an offence under that section.

(7) A disqualification order may apply to animals generally or to animals of any particular kind.

(8) A disqualification order may specify a period within which an application under subsection (11) may not be made.

(9) The court may suspend the operation of a disqualification order—

(a) for such period as it thinks necessary to enable arrangements to be made for the keeping of any animals to which the disqualification applies;

(b) pending an appeal.

(10) A disqualification order is, for the purposes of any appeal under the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, to be treated as a sentence.

(11) A person who is subject to a disqualification order may apply to the court which imposed the order to terminate or vary it.

(12) An application under subsection (11) may not be made—

(a) before the expiry of the period of one year beginning with the date on which the order was made;

(b) where there has been a previous application under that subsection in relation to the same order, before the expiry of the period of one year beginning with the date on which the previous application was determined; or

(c) within any period specified under subsection (8) or (15).

(13) On an application under subsection (11), the court may—

(a) refuse the application;

(b) terminate the disqualification order; or

(c) vary the disqualification order so as to relax any disqualification imposed by it.

(14) In considering an application under subsection (11), the court must have particular regard to—

(a) the nature of the offence in relation to which the disqualification order was made;

(b) the character of the applicant;

(c) the conduct of the applicant since the order was made.

(15)