Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 28th January, 2020.

I, MICHAEL CREED, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by sections 36 and 64 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (No. 15 of 2013), hereby make the following regulations:

Citation

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Animal Health and Welfare (Rabies) Regulations 2020.

Interpretation

2. In these Regulations—

“Act” means Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (No. 15 of 2013);

“relevant animal” means cat, dog, or ferret;

“zone” means the area specified in the Schedule (and shown outlined in red on the map in the Schedule).

Census

3. (1) The Minister may conduct a census of relevant animals within the zone.

(2) Where the Minister conducts a census under paragraph (1), a person in control or possession of a relevant animal shall provide information on all animals to which the census applies.

(3) Where a farm, holding or premises falls within the zone and a contiguous part of that farm, holding or premises also falls outside the zone, then any part of the farm, holding or premises contiguous with the part within the zone is deemed also to be within the zone.

Prohibited activities

4. (1) A person shall not hold or permit to be held any sports meeting, hunt, fair, market or other sale, exhibition or any gathering of animals within the zone that involves a relevant animal.

(2) A person shall not-

(a) hunt, if such activity involves a relevant animal, or

(b) participate in any activity or any gathering of animals referred to in paragraph (1).

Penal provisions

5. (1) Regulation 4(2) is a penal provision to which section 36(4)(a) of the Act applies.

(2) Regulation 4(1) is a penal provision to which section 36(4)(b) of the Act applies.

Schedule

That part of the land in County Cork that is shown outlined in red on the map below.

© Ordnance Survey Ireland 2020/OSi_NMA_004

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

24 January, 2020.

MICHAEL CREED,

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

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

This Statutory Instrument provides for a census of cats, dogs and ferrets present in the zone specified in the Schedule to be carried out by the Minister. It also prohibits the organisation of or participation in gatherings of animals that involve cats, dogs and ferrets, including hunting activities.