The Prevention and Control of Infectious & Contagious Diseases in Animals (Amendment) Bill, 2005

The Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Bill, 2005 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on December 21, 2005. The Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Agriculture (Chairperson: Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav). and the report was due on the last day of the Monsoon Session.

The Bill repeals the Glanders and Farcy Act, 1899, the Dourine Act, 1910 and any law of any state inconsistent with the provisions of the Bill.

The Bill seeks to (1) prevent, control and eradicate infectious diseases affecting animals (2) prevent the spread of such disease from one state to another, and (3) fulfil requirements of the International Animal Health Code.

If a person, public body or village panchayat suspects that any animal under its charge is infected with a scheduled disease (disease listed in the schedule of the Bill), he is required to report the matter to the village officer and nearest veterinarian. Neighbouring states will be intimated about the occurrence of the scheduled disease so as to enable them to take adequate precautionary measures.

All animals infected or suspected to be infected with a scheduled disease will be segregated and prevented from grazing or drinking water from a common source.

The state government can notify any area as a controlled area with respect to any scheduled disease. All animals in the area will be vaccinated by vaccines made available by the state government.

All vaccinated animals shall be marked and a certificate of vaccination specifying date of vaccination, date of manufacture and expiry of the vaccine and the date until which the vaccine shall be valid will be issued.

No person will be allowed to take any infected animal (whether dead or alive), fodder, bedding or any material that has come into contact with the infected animal or the carcass, skin or any other part of the animal, out of the controlled area . Animal fairs, exhibitions or any grouping of animals shall be prohibited unless permitted by the competent authority.

If the state government is satisfied that the disease is no longer prevalent, it can declare the area as a free area.

An animal of the species or any susceptible species can enter into or exit from a controlled or free area only if it has been vaccinated at least 21 days before the date of movement.

A Veterinary Officer can notify an area within his jurisdiction as an infected area if an animal is infected with any scheduled disease. Every infected animal will be treated by the veterinarian and all objects that have come into contact with the animal shall be disposed off as directed. The Veterinary Officer can also order euthanasia of an infected animal. All provisions of the Act applicable to controlled areas shall be applicable to infected areas.

The Veterinary Officer can draw samples from an animal to ascertain (a) whether the animal is infected, or (b) the nature of the scheduled disease or (c) whether the animal has been vaccinated or whether the vaccine has been effective. A post-mortem of a body may be ordered if the officer believes that the death has been caused by a scheduled disease.

Quarantine camps and check posts can be established for detention of animals that are infected or have come into contact with infected animals and to ensure prevention of entry into or exit of such animals from the controlled, free or infected areas.

Every laboratory engaged in the manufacture or research related to vaccines or drugs aimed at prevention or treatment of scheduled diseases will have to take adequate precautionary measures to prevent escape of causative organism and ensure remedial measures in case of escape. Every animal used for manufacturing, testing or research or which is likely to transmit any scheduled disease will be administered euthanasia and disposed off.

All common carriers (vessels/ vehicles) and any place used to keep animals in transit will be cleaned and disinfected before and after transporting animals.

The Bill also prescribes penalties for administering defective vaccines, issuing vaccination certificate without authority, obstructing competent authority from performing his duties, placing carcass of an infected animal in any water body.