S.I. No. 114/1954 - Rodents and Insectivora (Restriction on Importation) Order, 1954.

S.I. No. 114 of 1954.

RODENTS AND INSECTIVORA (RESTRICTION ON IMPORTATION) ORDER, 1954.

I, THOMAS WALSH, Minister for Agriculture, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the joint operation of the Agriculture Acts, 1931 to 1948, and the Diseases of Animals Acts, 1894 to 1954, and of every and any other power me in this behalf enabling, hereby order as follows :—

1. This Order may be cited as the Rodents and Insectivora (Restriction on Importation) Order, 1954.

2. The Interpretation Act, 1937 (No. 38 of 1937), applies to this Order.

3. In this Order—

" the Act " means the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, as amended ;

" animals " means hedgehogs, moles, shrews, squirrels, marmots, prairie dogs, beavers, rats, mice, voles, lemmings, jerboas, porcupines, agoutis, guinea pigs, South American capybara, hares, rabbits, ferrets, mink, martens, raccoon, fitches, nutria, chinchillas, mongooses and hamsters ;

" carcases " means the carcases of animals and includes parts of carcases, hides, pelts, skins, fur and hair but does not include hides, pelts, skins, fur and hair which are dyed and dressed or articles manufactured wholly or partly of hides, pelts, skins, fur or hair ;

" master " when used in relation to a vessel or aircraft means any person for the time being in charge of such vessel or aircraft ;

" the Minister " means the Minister for Agriculture.

4. It shall not be lawful to import any animals or carcases save under and in accordance with a permit in that behalf granted by the Minister.

5.—(1) The Minister may grant or refuse a permit under this Order.

(2) The Minister may attach to a permit such conditions as appear to him to be necessary.

(3) The Minister may revoke a permit.

6. If any animals or carcases are imported in contravention of this Order, each of the following persons shall be guilty of an offence against the Act—

(a) any person causing, directing, aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring such importation,

(b) the master, owner and charterer of any vessel or aircraft by means of which such animals or carcases are imported,

(c) the owner or person in charge of any vehicle or other conveyance by means of which animals or carcases are imported,

(d) any person who receives or keeps such animals or carcases knowing them to have been so imported.

7.—(1) If any animals or carcases are imported in contravention of this Order, the Minister or an inspector of the Minister may give notice in writing to the owner or person in charge thereof requiring such animals or carcases to be detained and isolated in accordance with the provisions of the notice.

(2) If any owner or person to whom notice has been given under this Article fails to comply with the notice, he shall be guilty of an offence against the Act.

(3) A notice under this Article shall continue in force until it is withdrawn by the Minister or an inspector of the Minister.

8. The following orders are hereby revoked ;

(a) Foot and Mouth Disease (Importation of Rodents and Insectivora) Order, 1933 ( S. R. & O. No. 10 of 1933 ),

(b) Foot and Mouth Disease (Importation of Rodents and Insectivora) Order, 1933 (Amendment) Order, 1949 ( S.I. No. 58 of 1949 ).

GIVEN under my Official Seal, this 26th day of May, 1954.

THOMAS WALSH,

Minister for Agriculture.