S.I. No. 279 of 2003

Diseases of Animals Act 1966 (Monkey pox virus) Order 2003.

I, Joe Walsh, Minister for Agriculture and Food, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by sections 3 and 30 of No. 6 of 1966 ) (as adapted by the Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2002 ( S.I. No. 306 of 2002 )), and for the purpose of giving effect to Commission Decision No. 2003/459/EC of 20 June 2003¹ , hereby order as follows--

1.   This Order may be cited as the Diseases of Animals Act 1966 (Monkey pox virus) Order 2003.

2.   A person shall not import or cause or permit another person to import a prairie dog (Cynomys spp.) from the United States of America.

3.   A person shall not import or cause or permit another person to import a rodent of a non-domestic species or a squirrel from sub-Saharan Africa.

4.   A person shall not have in his or her possession or under his or her control, transport, sell or supply an animal that has been imported in contravention of Article 2 or 3 of this Order.

5.(1) The owner, master or person in charge of a ship, vessel, vehicle or aircraft or the employee, servant or agent of that person shall not accept a consignment that consists of or contains an animal referred to in Article 2 or 3 of this Order to be brought into the State.

(2)     The owner, master or person in charge of a ship, vessel, vehicle or aircraft shall not have an animal referred to in Article 2 or 3 of this Order on board the ship, vessel, vehicle or aircraft.

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation).

This Order prohibits the import of prairie dogs from the United States of America and rodents and -squirrels from sub-Saharan Africa in accordance with Commission Decision No. 2003/459/EC of 20 June 2003.

Published by the Stationary Office, Dublin

¹ O.J. No. L 154 of 21.6.2003, p. 112.