| Guvnor

Enforced by: APHA, DEFRA
Status: Amended (in force with amendments)
Penalty ceiling: Imprisonment 17 of 49 obligations carry imprisonment (6 months). 14 carry different penalties and 18 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Any Person34 Occupier2 Landlord1 Manufacturer1

Plus 11 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Any Person — also bound by 2340 other Acts

Human Medicines Regulations 2012 184 duties

Merchant Shipping Act 1995 144 duties

Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 104 duties

Communications Act 2003 92 duties

Road Traffic Act 1988 92 duties

Occupier — also bound by 235 other Acts

The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 47 duties

Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 46 duties

The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 34 duties

Highways Act 1980 23 duties

Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 19 duties

Landlord — also bound by 224 other Acts

Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 74 duties

Housing Act 1985 55 duties

Housing Act 1996 30 duties

The Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (England) Regulations 2003 27 duties

The Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (Wales) Regulations 2004 26 duties

Manufacturer — also bound by 502 other Acts

Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 93 duties

Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016 85 duties

Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments Regulations 2016 78 duties

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/654 of 19 December 2016 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to technical and general requirements relating to emission limits and type-approval for internal combustion engines for non-road mobile machinery 76 duties

Human Medicines Regulations 2012 75 duties

What it requires

Sections creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1

General

7 of 22 sections shown

s.004 Offences as to s. 3. Imprisonment

Make false statement to obtain eradication fundsAny Person

s.006 Biosecurity compliance Regulated

Follow biosecurity guidance for animal diseasesLandlord

s.006 Biosecurity codes: Scotland Imprisonment

Failure to comply with Scottish biosecurity codesAny Person

s.008 Movement generally. Imprisonment

Breach animal movement or transport restrictionsAny Person

s.008 Animal gatherings: Scotland Imprisonment

Breach of animal gathering licence conditionsAny Person

s.010 Annual review of import controls Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Ministers must publish an annual review of animal product import controlsCrown / Minister / Government department

s.014 Prevention of sheep scab. Regulated

Follow inspector instructions for sheep scab examinationsAny Person

15 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.001 General powers of Ministers to make orders.

s.002 Local authority regulations.

s.003 Expenditure for eradication.

s.005 Veterinary services and therapeutic substances.

s.006 Eradication areas and attested areas.

s.006 Biosecurity guidance

s.006 Emergency biosecurity orders: Scotland

s.006 Tests and samples: Scotland

s.006 Samples: further testing

s.007 Cleansing and disinfection.

s.009 Prohibition in specific cases.

s.010 Importation.

s.011 Export to member States.

s.012 Export quarantine stations.

s.013 Orders as to dogs.

Part 2

Scrapie

0 of 13 sections shown

13 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.036 Power of Secretary of State to specify sheep genotypes

s.036 Identification of genetically susceptible sheep

s.036 Restrictions on breeding from genetically susceptible sheep

s.036 Appeals

s.036 Secretary of State’s powers of enforcement

s.036 Offences

s.036 Power of entry

s.036 Warrants

s.036 Supplementary

s.036 Offences

s.036 Compensation

s.036 Orders and Regulations

s.036 Interpretation

Part 2

2 of 11 sections shown

s.036 Offences Imprisonment

Sell livestock subject to a restriction noticeAny Person

s.036 Compensation Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Scottish Ministers must pay compensation for slaughtered livestockCrown / Minister / Government department

9 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.036 Power to specify livestock genotypes and TSEs

s.036 Ascertaining genotypes and identifying livestock

s.036 Restrictions on breeding

s.036 Review

s.036 Scottish Ministers' powers of enforcement

s.036 Powers of slaughter: TSE

s.036 Powers of entry

s.036 Orders and regulations

s.036 Interpretation

Part 2

Disease

11 of 43 sections shown

s.014 Duty to consider vaccination Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Secretary of State must consider vaccination to stop Foot-and-Mouth spreadCrown / Minister / Government department

s.015 Separation and notice. Imprisonment

Fail to isolate diseased animals or notify authoritiesAny Person

s.016 Treatment after exposure to infection. Prosecution

Fail to assist an inspector during animal disease controlOccupier

Unlimited fine

s.026 Pleuro-pneumonia or foot-and-mouth disease found in transit. Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Ministers must make orders regarding diseased animals found in transitCrown / Minister / Government department

s.028 Deliberate infection Imprisonment

Deliberately infecting an animal with a controlled diseaseAny Person

s.028 Deliberate infection: Scotland Imprisonment

Deliberately or recklessly infect animals with disease in ScotlandAny Person

s.028 Deliberate infection: disqualification orders Imprisonment

Breach an animal disqualification orderAny Person

s.030 Provisions supplemental to s. 29. Imprisonment

Failure to provide information or assist inspectors regarding animal diseaseAny Person

s.032 Disease control (slaughter) statement: Scotland Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Scottish Ministers must issue a statement before ordering animal slaughterCrown / Minister / Government department

s.035 Seizure and disposal of carcases etc. Imprisonment

Improper disposal of diseased animal carcassesAny Person

s.036 Seizure of carcases etc. : further provision for Scotland Imprisonment

Unlawful disposal of animal carcases in water or seaAny Person

32 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.014 National contingency plan

s.016 Slaughter of vaccinated animals

s.016 Slaughter of treated animals: Scotland

s.017 Powers as to infected places and areas.

s.018 Other provisions as to infected places and areas.

s.019 Destruction of foxes etc. on rabies infection.

s.020 Additional provisions under s. 17 on rabies infection.

s.021 Destruction of wild life on infection other than rabies.

s.022 Powers of entry etc. for s. 21.

s.023 Orders as to infected places and areas.

s.024 Rabies: quarantine and virus control.

s.025 Movement of diseased or suspected animals.

s.027 Exclusion of strangers.

s.028 Seizure of diseased or suspected animals.

s.028 Deliberate infection: disqualification

s.028 Deliberate infection: deprivation of entitlement to compensation

s.028 Deliberate infection: deprivation orders

s.028 Seizure orders where disqualification breached

s.028 Suspension of orders pending appeal

s.028 Specified diseases: Scotland

s.029 Control of zoonoses.

s.031 Slaughter in certain diseases.

s.032 Slaughter in other diseases.

s.032 Slaughter to prevent spread of disease

s.032 Disease control (slaughter) protocol

s.032 Protocol: exercise of powers

s.032 Explanation of preventive slaughter

s.032 Slaughter for preventing spread of disease: Scotland

s.033 Additional staff and expenses.

s.034 Slaughter and compensation generally.

s.036 Compensation for seizure.

s.036 Compensation for seizure

Part 3

Welfare and Export

0 of 13 sections shown

13 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.037 Prevention of suffering.

s.038 Food and water.

s.039 Export of animals generally.

s.040 Restriction on export of horses.

s.041 Restriction on export of ponies.

s.042 Restriction on export of registered ponies.

s.043 Regulation of export of ponies.

s.044 Slaughter on examination of inspection.

s.045 Marking of horses certified for export.

s.046 Slaughter of injured horses.

s.047 Exemption of thoroughbreds in transit.

s.048 Certificates.

s.049 Enforcement and interpretation.

Part 4

Local Authorities

3 of 10 sections shown

s.052 Inspectors and other officers. Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Local authorities must appoint inspectors to enforce animal health lawsLocal authority

s.054 Provision of wharves etc. Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Local authorities may provide and charge for animal wharves and facilitiesLocal authority

s.057 Burial of carcases washed ashore. Regulated

Repay local authority for the cost of disposing of animal carcasses from shipsAny Person

7 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.050 Local authorities for purposes of this Act.

s.051 Local authorities and their districts.

s.053 Borrowing powers.

s.055 Power to acquire land.

s.056 Public facilities for sheep dipping.

s.058 Regulations.

s.059 Default.

Part 5

Enforcement, Offences and Proceedings

15 of 35 sections shown

s.061 Powers of arrest as to rabies. Powers of entry and search in relation to rabies offences Imprisonment

Illegal import or movement of animals in relation to rabiesAny Person

s.062 Tests and samples: supplementary Prosecution

Fail to assist a veterinary inspectorOccupier

Unlimited fine

s.066 Refusal and obstruction. Imprisonment

Refuse entry or obstruct an inspectorAny Person

s.066 Refusal and obstruction of inspector Regulated

Refuse entry to or obstruct animal health inspectorAny Person

s.067 Issue of false licences etc. Imprisonment

Issue false animal health licences or certificatesAny Person

s.068 Issue of licences etc. in blank. Imprisonment

Issue or use blank animal movement licencesAny Person

s.069 Falsely obtaining licences etc. Imprisonment

Provide false information to obtain animal health licencesAny Person

s.070 Alteration of licences etc. Imprisonment

Falsify or alter animal health licences or certificatesAny Person

s.071 Other offences as to licences. Imprisonment

Use of invalid or fraudulent animal health licencesAny Person

s.072 Offences made and declared by and under this Act. Imprisonment

Breach animal health laws or ministerial ordersAny Person

s.073 General offences. Imprisonment

Breach of animal health regulations or ordersAny Person

s.074 Liability under the customs and excise Acts. Imprisonment

Illegal import or export of animals or biological materialsAny Person

s.075 Penalties for certain summary offences Imprisonment

Breach general animal health and welfare regulationsAny Person

s.076 Certain importation offences triable either summarily or on indictment. Imprisonment

Breach rabies prevention orders when importing animalsAny Person

s.076 Fixed penalty notices Prosecution

Obstruction or failure to provide information regarding a fixed penalty noticeAny Person

Unlimited fine

20 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.060 Duties and authorities of constables.

s.062 Entry and search under s. 61. Entry and search in exercise of powers to seize animals

s.062 Slaughter: power of entry

s.062 Slaughter: warrants

s.062 Slaughter: supplementary

s.062 Tests and samples: power of entry

s.062 Tests and samples: warrants

s.062 Powers of entry etc. : Scotland

s.062 Warrants

s.062 Entry and warrants: supplementary

s.063 General powers of inspectors.

s.064 Powers of inspectors as to poultry.

s.064 Powers of inspectors relating to assimilated law

s.065 Power to detain vessels and aircraft.

s.065 Inspection of vehicles

s.065 Inspection of vehicles: Scotland

s.071 Prosecutions: time limit

s.077 Money recoverable summarily.

s.078 Appeal.

s.079 Evidence and procedure.

Part 6

Supplemental

6 of 19 sections shown

s.080 Yearly return to Parliament. Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Ministers must lay a yearly animal health report before ParliamentCrown / Minister / Government department

s.081 Reports to Minister. Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Local authorities must provide reports and information to the MinisterLocal authority

s.082 Information from Agricultural Marketing Boards. Regulated

Agricultural Marketing Boards must provide information to the MinisterAny Person

s.083 Form and service of instruments. Regulated

Ensure notices and legal instruments are served correctlyAny Person

s.085 Exemption from stamp duty. Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Exemption from stamp duty on animal health documentsCrown / Minister / Government department

s.093 Communications to and from Northern Ireland. Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Government must share animal disease orders with Northern IrelandCrown / Minister / Government department

13 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.083 Electronic communication: Scotland

s.084 Fees.

s.086 Ministers and their functions.

s.087 Meaning of “animals” and “poultry”.

s.088 Meaning of “disease”.

s.089 Other interpretation provisions.

s.090 Application to hovercraft.

s.091 Orders etc.

s.092 General application to Scotland.

s.094 Transitional.

s.095 Savings.

s.096 Consequential amendments and repeals.

s.097 Short title, extent, and commencement.

Schedules

5 of 62 shown

s.004 Additional Provisions as to Food and Water at Railway Stations Imprisonment

Fail to provide water to animals at railway stationsAny Person

s.sch001 Regulation of Manufacture of and Other Matters Connected with Veterinary Therapeutic Substances Imprisonment

Illegal manufacture, import, or sale of veterinary medicinesAny Person

s.sch001 (1) The following provisions shall have effect with respect to... Regulated

Obtain a licence to manufacture controlled substances and comply with conditionsManufacturer

s.sch001 A person who— (a) contravenes or fails to comply with... Imprisonment

Breach animal health licence conditions or sell banned substancesAny Person

s.sch004 As regards water, if, in the case of any animal,... Prosecution

Fail to arrange water supply for animals in transitAny Person

Unlimited fine

57 other schedules

s.002 Specific Matters with Respect to Which Provision may be made in Orders Under Section 10

s.003 Power to Slaughter in Relation to Certain Diseases

s.006 Repeals

s.sch001 (1) Subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph (2) below, this...

s.sch001 (1) The Ministers may make orders for the following purposes—...

s.sch001 The issue of a licence to import a substance the...

s.sch001 The therapeutic substances mentioned in paragraph 1(1)(a) above are—

s.sch002 The conditions to be observed before, during and after importation....

s.sch002 Recovery of costs.

s.sch002 Inspection.

s.sch002 Entitlement to compensation and the determination, subject to the Treasury’s...

s.sch002 Exemptions from provisions of the order by means of licences,...

s.sch002 The prohibition of the importation of animals or other things...

s.sch002 Landing and quarantine of animals and other things.

s.sch002 The premises at which animals and other things are to...

s.sch002 Seizure, detention and treatment of animals and other things.

s.sch002 Slaughter of animals and destruction of other things.

s.sch002 Cleansing and disinfection.

s.sch002 Marking, testing and use of animals and other things.

s.sch002 Movement of persons and of animals and other things.

s.sch002a Specified diseases

s.sch002a Foot-and-mouth disease Swine vesicular disease Peste des petits ruminants Lumpy...

s.sch002b Specified diseases: Scotland

s.sch003 (1) The Minister shall cause to be slaughtered all animals...

s.sch003 (1) The Minister shall cause to be slaughtered all cattle...

s.sch003 (1) This paragraph applies to any premises which are declared...

s.sch003 (1) The Minister may, if he thinks fit, in any...

s.sch003 (1) The Minister may, if he thinks fit, cause to...

s.sch003a Power of slaughter for preventing spread of disease: Scotland

s.sch003a With a view to preventing the spread of cattle plague,...

s.sch003a With a view to preventing the spread of pleuro-pneumonia, the...

s.sch003a With a view to preventing the spread of foot-and-mouth disease,...

s.sch003a With a view to preventing the spread of swine-fever, the...

s.sch003a With a view to preventing the spread of diseases of...

s.sch003a (1) With a view to preventing the spread of such...

s.sch003a The Scottish Ministers may, in relation to a disease, exercise...

s.sch003a (1) The Scottish Ministers must pay compensation, of such amount...

s.sch003a (1) No order is made under paragraph 6 unless a...

s.sch004 The food and water, or either of them, provided under...

s.sch004 The Ministers may, if they think fit, by order prescribe...

s.sch004 The body supplying food or water under section 38(2) may...

s.sch004 The amount of those additional charges accrued due in respect...

s.sch004 The body concerned shall have a lien for the amount...

s.sch005 Consequential Amendments

s.sch005 In section 106(6) of the Agriculture Act 1970 for “Diseases...

s.sch005 In the Slaughterhouses Act 1974— (a) in section 20(5) for...

s.sch005 In the Slaughter of Animals (Scotland) Act 1980—

s.sch005 In section 100(6) of the Food and Drugs Act 1955...

s.sch005 In section 36(6) of the Food and Drugs (Scotland) Act...

s.sch005 Consequential Amendments

s.sch005 In section 54(3) of the London Government Act 1963 for...

s.sch005 In paragraph (b) of the proviso to section 5(1) of...

s.sch005 In section 13(5) of the Agriculture Act 1967 for “Diseases...

s.sch005 In section 8(2) of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968—...

s.sch005 In paragraph 7(2)(b) of Schedule 16 to the Transport Act...

1 other provision

s.para.187 African horse sickness African swine fever Bluetongue Bovine brucellosis Classical...

Help complying

Guvnor’s practical routes through this instrument.

Starting farming: complete compliance journey

New farmers: everything you need to register, comply, and access funding - from CPH numbers to environmental schemes. Follow this step-by-step journey …

Failed a farm inspection: what to do next

What to do when you receive a non-compliance notice from a farm inspection. Covers understanding your notice, your rights, taking corrective action, …

Becoming a livestock keeper: complete compliance guide

Comprehensive guide to livestock keeping compliance - from getting a CPH number to meeting welfare requirements. Covers cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats.

Livestock movement issues: how to resolve

How to resolve common livestock movement compliance problems including missing or lost tags, late movement reporting, standstill breaches, and missing cattle passports. …

What regulations apply to my farm?

A quick decision-tree navigator that helps you identify which regulations apply to your specific farm based on what you keep, grow, and …

Moving livestock: quick compliance check

Pre-movement compliance checklist for cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats. Three quick checks: tagging correct, standstill clear, documentation ready.

Comply with livestock movement standstill periods

Legal requirements for standstill periods after livestock arrive on your holding. Covers standstill lengths by species, exemptions, and penalties for breaching standstill …

Identify and tag livestock correctly

Legal requirements for identifying and tagging cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and deer. Includes species-specific tagging deadlines, tag specifications, passport requirements, and replacement …

Identify and tag sheep and goats

How to identify and tag sheep and goats correctly. Covers double EID tagging for breeding stock, batch tagging for animals going direct …

Keep holding registers for livestock

Legal requirements for recording livestock identification, movements, births, deaths, and annual inventories. Covers cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and deer with species-specific deadlines …

Meet bovine TB testing requirements for cattle

Comprehensive guide to bovine TB testing requirements for UK cattle farmers. Covers testing frequency by risk area (HRA, Edge, LRA), pre-movement testing …

Prepare for farm inspections and audits

How to prepare for regulatory inspections and farm assurance audits. Covers which bodies inspect farms, what triggers inspections, your rights during visits, …

Register land to keep livestock

How to obtain a County Parish Holding (CPH) number before keeping cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, or poultry. Includes registration process, required information, …

Report livestock movements and comply with standstill rules

How to report cattle, sheep, goat, pig, and deer movements using government traceability systems. Includes reporting deadlines, standstill periods, and required documentation …

8 more guides that reference this instrument

Understand farm rules after cross-compliance ended Join the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway Meet your veterinary practice regulatory duties Recognise and report notifiable animal diseases Veterinary practice compliance checklist Which farming rules apply to your business Meet sheep welfare requirements on your farm Navigate farm assurance schemes

Connected legislation

Instruments made under this Act. They carry the detail the Act delegates.

Cattle Identification Regulations 2007 SI 2007

Disease Control (England) Order 2003 SI 2003

The A1 Trunk Road (Swalwell Interchange) (Temporary Prohibition of Traffic) Order 2011 SI 2011

The Bee Diseases and Pests Control (England) Order 2006 SI 2006

Tuberculosis (England) Order 2021 SI 2021

Tuberculosis in Animals (England) Order 2021 SI 2021

Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.

Animal Health Act 1981

Does it bind you?

Other Acts binding the same actors

What it requires

General

Scrapie

Disease

Welfare and Export

Local Authorities

Enforcement, Offences and Proceedings

Supplemental

Schedules

Help complying

Starting farming: complete compliance journey

Failed a farm inspection: what to do next

Becoming a livestock keeper: complete compliance guide

Livestock movement issues: how to resolve

What regulations apply to my farm?

Moving livestock: quick compliance check

Comply with livestock movement standstill periods

Identify and tag livestock correctly

Identify and tag sheep and goats

Keep holding registers for livestock

Meet bovine TB testing requirements for cattle

Prepare for farm inspections and audits

Register land to keep livestock

Report livestock movements and comply with standstill rules

Connected legislation