Commencement:  30 November 1979

CHAPTER 103

CATTLE (SLAUGHTER, SPAYING AND CASTRATION)

JR 30 of 1979

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

1.	Interpretation
2.	Power to regulate slaughter, spaying or castration of cattle
3.	Suspension of order of prohibition or restriction
4.	Offences

CATTLE (SLAUGHTER, SPAYING AND CASTRATION)

To regulate the slaughter, spaying and castration of cattle.

1.	Interpretation
In this Act –

"Minister" means the Minister for the time being responsible for agriculture and livestock or any Minister acting on his behalf.

2.	Power to regulate slaughter, spaying or castration of cattle
(1)	By Order of the Minister the slaughter, spaying or castration of any class of cattle whether defined by breed, sex, age or the district they are at any time situate in, may either be prohibited or restricted except with a licence given by the Minister or a person duly authorised by him, for one or more of the following reasons –

	(a)	the cattle are unsuitable for breeding;

(b)	the cattle are on a property in quarantine for a contagious animal disease;

(c)	there is no market available for the sale of breeding cattle;

(d)	the cattle must be slaughtered because of a shortage of feed or water;

(e)	it is not in the general interest of the management of the national herd to preserve the cattle for breeding.

(2)	A prohibition or restriction under subsection (1) may be for a definite or indefinite period of time.

(3)	A person desirous of obtaining a licence pursuant to an Order made under this section shall make application in such form and provide such information as the Minister may by Order prescribe.

(4)	A licence granted pursuant to an Order made under this section shall contain such conditions as the Minister or the person authorised by him may consider necessary.

3.	Suspension of order of prohibition or restriction
The Minister may by Order suspend the operation of an order of prohibition or restriction for any period.

4.	Offences
Any person who contravenes the provisions of an Order made under this Act shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding VT 100,000 or to imprisonment for 3 years, or to both such fine and imprisonment.