This Act contains rules on the keeping of livestock animals for commercial purposes. It applies to domesticated animals as well as wild animals, food and products originating from animals, and their waste (fertilizers). It regulates various aspects of animal keeping, such as monitoring of their health and production, their registration and marking, prevention of diseases and pests, national and international trade of animals, development of embryos, seed, feed and animal waste, animal drugs, etc. The Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries may lay down rules on the obligation to provide information on animal husbandry for the Central Husbandry Register (CHR). Keeping of certain animal species for agriculture purpose must be pre-authorized by the Minister, as long as the animals physiological, behavioral and health needs are met, that prevention of disease spreading is observed and that they do not come in contact with wild animals, and that birds are not kept in unlit places.
Regulations are applied on requirements for pedigree and quality of livestock. These regulations shall provide methods for lineage and quality assessment. Additionally, trade (import and export) of animals, animal food, semen, embryos, animal feed and other products thereof with risk of spreading diseases and zoonotic pathogens are regulated with the implementation of veterinary regulations. Slaughtered animals and derivates thereof which are not usable by humans shall be safely transported in order to avoid diseases. The Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries shall establish rules for the implementation of EU directives and decisions on matters covered by this Act.
The Act consists of 16 Chapters: Scope and purpose (1); Keeping, registration, labeling and sale of animals (2); Dangerous animals (3); Keeping of certain animal species (4); Domestic animal breeding (5); Animal diseases and infections (6); Import and export of animals (7); Semen, ova and embryos (8); Animal waste and feed (9); Storage and use of medicines (10); Payment and compensation (11); Control and publication of monitoring results (12); Appeals and delegation (13); The European Community (14); Penalty and disqualification (15); Entry into force (16).