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Diseases of Animals, Acts and Orders.
Administration.
The Diseases of Animals Acts, and Statutory Rules and Orders, deal
generally with:—
(a) Prevention of scheduled diseases of animals.
(b) Control of outbreaks of diseases of animals.
(c) Prevention of the introduction of diseases of animals from abroad ;
and
(d) Protection of animals against unnecessary suffering.
The administration of the law relating to diseases of animals is carried
out partly by officers of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and partly
by officers of County Councils and Local Sanitary Authorities. In this
Borough your Sanitary Inspectors are officers authorised under the various
Acts and Orders to deal with the matters which are the responsibility of the
Leyton Council.
Fowl Pest.
The following is an extract from Circular letter T.A.Y. 26675 to all
Local Authorities by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries pursuant to
the provisions of the Diseases of Animals Acts.
The Live Poultry (Mid-Norfolk) Order, 1954
Fowl Pest
"I am directed to inform you that during the last few weeks about forty
outbreaks of fowl pest have been confirmed on premises in central Norfolk.
The position is giving rise to much concern and in view of the highly infectious
nature of the disease it has been decided to take immediate and drastic measures
to prevent the spread of infection to other parts of the country and to bring the
situation in central Norfolk under more effective control. The Minister has,
accordingly, made the above Order. Its main effect is to prohibit as from the
29th November, 1954, the movement of live poultry (except day-old chicks
and hatching eggs) into, out of and within the area of Norfolk specified at the
foot of this letter. It is hoped that by taking this timely action it will be possible
to contain the disease and clear up the position in a relatively short time.
"The prohibition of movement of live poultry within the scheduled area
does not apply to poultry consigned into and out of the area by rail on a through
booking. No markets, fairs, sales or exhibition of poultry in the scheduled area
may be held.
"The movement ban applies not only to store poultry but also to birds
intended for immediate slaughter which will have to be killed on the premises
on which they are kept in the area. The carcasses may be moved anywhere
without restriction.
"The Minister will be prepared after the lapse of a suitable period, and
in the light of the trend of fowl pest in the scheduled area to consider, exceptionally,
the issue of licences under his general powers authorising the movement out of
the area of breeding stock of poultry from the premises of accredited poultry
breeders and perhaps of other breeders. An announcement as to the time and
form in which such applications may be made will be issued later. In addition,
the Minister will also be willing to consider the issue, exceptionally, and at any
time of licences for essential movement within the scheduled area (e.g., for the
purpose of re-stocking) of store poultry."
Measures were taken to publicise the requirements of the Order in
accordance with Article 7 of the Animals (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order
of 1927, and inspections made at the premises of poultry keepers, bird
fanciers, pet shops, etc.