Infected places

(1) Where an officer suspects that any animal disease exists on any land, he shall forthwith sign a notice to that effect and such notice shall contain a declaration that such land, the limits whereof shall be therein specified, is an infected place. Belize Agricultural Health Authority [CAP. 211 39 (2) The notice referred to in sub-section (1) shall be served upon the occupier of such place. (3) Upon the service of such notice, the place therein specified shall be an infected place subject to confirmation or otherwise by the Minister under the provisions of sub-section (5)provided that the Officer may, at any time within twenty days of such service and after further investigation by the Authority but before such confirmation or otherwise, withdraw such notice and thereupon such place shall cease to be an infected place. (4) The Authority shall with all practicable speed send copies of such notice to the Minister, and where any such notice has been withdrawn, the Officer shall forthwith inform the Minister of that fact. (5) Upon receipt by the Minister of the copies of such notice, the Minister shall, unless such notice has been withdrawn forthwith, consider the matter and– (a) if satisfied that such course is expedient or necessary, by Order declare the place specified in such notice to be an infected place, and may also by Order published in the Gazette declare that any area containing, adjoining or surrounding such place is an area infected with disease, and such Order shall specify the limits of such infected area; or (b) if not so satisfied, shall by Order revoke the notice of the Officer, and thereupon as from the time specified in that behalf by such Order, such place shall cease to be an infected place.