Introduction
The Specified Animal Pathogens Order 1998 prohibits any person from having in their possession any specified animal pathogen listed in Part I of the Schedule or any carrier in which he/she knows such a pathogen is present, and from introducing into any animal any pathogen listed in the Schedule, except under the authority of a licence issued by the Scottish Ministers.
The Order also requires that if any person has in their possession anything in which they have reasonable grounds for believing that a specified pathogen may be present and they do not hold a licence to handle that pathogen, they must notify a veterinary inspector immediately.
The purpose of the Order is to prevent the introduction and spread into Great Britain of specified animal pathogens which are not endemic and which if introduced, would cause serious disease and economic loss to the livestock industry. The Order has no application to any animal pathogen or carrier contained in licenced veterinary or human medicines.
Specified Animal Pathogen means an animal pathogen listed below and includes:
(a) intact pathogens;
(b) pathogens which have been attenuated or genetically modified by any means; and
(c) any nucleic acid derived from an animal pathogen listed which could produce that pathogen when introduced into a biological system in which it is capable of replicating.
You should note that you may also need to apply for an import licence if the specified animal pathogen is to be imported from a third country. Guidence on the Imporation of Animal Pathogens is given in a separate section. The following link will take you to information on the import of animal pathogens.
Pathogens requiring a licence for possession or introduction into an animal can be viewed at the list of Specified Pathogens.
How to Contact us
Animal Health and Welfare,
Room 350,
Pentland House,
47 Robb's Loan,
Edinburgh,
EH14 1TY
Telephone: 0131-244-6181
Fax: 0131-244-6616
E-Mail: Animal.health@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
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