25Reasonable suspicion of infection

25 Reasonable suspicion of infection

(1)  For the purposes of this Act, an animal, plant or other thing may reasonably be suspected of being infected with a disease if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that –

(a) a disease agent is present in or on the animal, plant or other thing; or

(b) the animal, plant or other thing is or has been in or with a flock, group or herd, or is travelling or has travelled on any land or place, or in a vehicle, on or in which there was, or is, an animal, plant or other thing infected with the disease.

(2)  For the purposes of this Act, a place may reasonably be suspected of being infected with a disease if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that a disease agent is present in or on the place.

(3)  It is not necessary, in order to form a reasonable suspicion under this section that an animal, plant, place or other thing is infected with a disease, for the animal, plant, place or other thing to be exhibiting signs of the disease.

(4)  Nothing in this section prevents the Secretary, an authorised officer or any other person from using any other evidence or consideration available to the Secretary, authorised officer or other person to form a reasonable suspicion that an animal, plant, place or other thing is infected with a disease.