ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION ACT

Arrangement of Sections

Section

PART I
PRELIMINARY

   1.   Short title

   2.   Interpretation

   3.   Application of Act

PART II
ADMINISTRATION

   4.   Appointment of Registrar of Animal Identification and other staff

   5.   Powers of Registrar

PART III
REGISTRATION

   6.   Compulsory animal identification

   7.   Application for registration of identification mark

   8.   Prescribed identification marks

   9.   Validity of identification mark

   10.   Renewal of identification mark

   11.   Duties of owners of animals

   12.   Transfer of identification mark

   13.   Cancellation of certificate of registration of identification mark

   14.   Registration of marking operators

   15.   Register

   16.   Publication of copies of Register

   17.   Use of identification mark by unauthorized person

   18.   Offences related to marking of animals

   19.   Appeals

PART IV
GENERAL PROVISIONS

   20.   Evidence

   21.   Burden of proof

   22.   Regulations

   23.   Repeal of Cap. 244

   24.   Transitional provisions in relation to existing certificates of registration

AN ACT

to provide for the registration of animal identification marks and marking operators; provide for the appointment of the Registrar of Animal Identification; to repeal and replace the Brands Act, 1913; and provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

[16th August, 2010]

Act 28 of 2010.

PART I
PRELIMINARY

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Animal Identification Act.

2. Interpretation

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

“animal” means any animal declared by the Minister in terms of section 3;

“animal identification” means a method of identifying an animal using methods approved by the Registrar;

“carcass” means the carcass of an animal, and includes part of a carcass, and the meat, bone, hide, skin, feather, hoof, horn, offal or other part of an animal;

“certificate of registration” means the certificate of registration of an identification mark issued under section 7;

“Deputy Registrar” means the person appointed as Deputy Registrar of Animal Identification under section 4;

“identification mark” means an identification mark registered under section seven for the purpose of identifying the animal, but does not include any—

      (a)   mark made or placed on the horn or hoof;

      (b)   mark made with paint on an animal;

      (c)   clasp, rivet or tag attached to the ear, or a mark made on such clasp, rivet or tag; or

      (d)   notch or hole.

“mark” means to place or collect an identification mark on an animal;

“marking instrument” means an instrument used or intended to be used for marking animals;

“proprietor" means the registered proprietor of an identification mark;

“Register” means the Register referred to under section 14; and

“Registrar” means the person appointed as the Registrar of Animal Identification under section 4.

3. Application of Act

This Act applies in respect of animals declared by the Minister by notice in the Gazette.

PART II
ADMINISTRATION

4. Appointment of Registrar of Animal Identification and other staff

The Public Service Commission shall appoint, as public officers a Registrar of Animal Identification, Deputy Registrars of Animal Identification and such other staff within the Ministry responsible for livestock development, as shall be necessary for the proper administration of this Act.

5. Powers of Registrar

   (1) The Registrar may, on the authority of a warrant issued under subsection (2), conduct an investigation to determine whether the provisions of this Act are being or have been complied with, and may, for that purpose during normal office hours and without giving prior notice—