14Destruction or disposal of livestock

14 Destruction or disposal of livestock

(1) If any livestock, livestock product, fodder or fittings is introduced into—

(a) Victoria; or

S. 14(1)(b) amended by No. 73/1996 s. 48(a).

(b) a quarantine area; or

(c) an area declared under section 6(2)—

contrary to any provision of this Act or an order or regulation made under this Act, the livestock, the livestock product, fodder or fittings may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of as directed by instrument by the Minister.

(2) The Minister must cause a copy of a direction under subsection (1) to be given to the owner or person apparently in charge of the livestock, livestock product, fodder or fittings before the direction is carried out unless—

(a) the owner or person apparently in charge of the livestock, livestock product, fodder or fittings cannot be found after reasonable search or inquiry; and

(b) the Minister considers that, in the circumstances, the direction must be carried out without prior notice to the owner or person apparently in charge.

(3) If destruction or disposal is directed by the Minister under subsection (1), the owner of the livestock, livestock product, fodder or fittings destroyed or disposed of is not entitled to compensation except compensation expressly provided for in Part 5.

(4) A direction of the Minister under this section is deemed to be a direction of an inspector for the purposes of Part 5.