The Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare / Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Act details
| Short title | The Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to provide for the prevention, control and eradication of infectious and contagious diseases affecting animals, for prevention of outbreak or spreading of such diseases from one State to another, and to meet the international obligations of India for facilitating import and export of animals and animal products and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. |
| Act number | 27 of 2009 |
| Act year | 2009 |
| Enactment date | 20 Mar 2009 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare / Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying |
| Department | Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 49 |
| Schedules | 1 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Summary
Summary of the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009
To prevent, control, and eradicate infectious and contagious diseases in animals, ensuring international trade compliance and adherence to OIE (Office International Des Epizooties) membership obligations.
Key Provisions
1. Administrative & Regulatory Framework
• Definitions: Comprehensive, including "animal," "Competent Officer," and "scheduled disease."
• Appointments: State Governments to appoint Veterinarians, Veterinary Officers, and Competent Officers for enforcement.
2. Disease Management
• Mandatory Reporting: Owners/persons in charge must report suspected scheduled diseases.
• Control Measures: Segregation of infected animals, Compulsory Vaccination in designated areas.
• Declaration of Controlled and Free Areas with movement restrictions.
• Quarantine and Check Posts for detention, inspection, and vaccination.
3. Handling Infected Animals
• Segregation, Examination, and Treatment protocols.
• Euthanasia: Under specified conditions, with Humane Disposal of carcasses.
• Post-Mortem Examinations and Seizure of non-compliant or unclaimed infected animals.
4. Governance and Compliance
• Delegation of Powers: State Governments can delegate authorities.
• Schedule Amendment: Central Government may add/remove diseases from the schedule.
• Direction and Rule Making: Powers for Central and State Governments to issue directives and formulate rules.
• Public Servant Status: Accorded to specified officers under the Act.
5. Enforcement and Penalties
• Specific Penalty Provisions:
• Issuing Unauthorized Vaccination Certificates or Defective Vaccines: Up to ₹5,000 fine or 1 month imprisonment (first offence), increasing to ₹10,000 or 3 months for subsequent offences.
• General Non-Compliance or Obstruction: Up to ₹1,000 fine or 1 month imprisonment (first offence), increasing to ₹2,000 or 2 months for subsequent offences.
• Placing Infected Carcasses in Water Bodies: Up to ₹2,000 fine or 1 month imprisonment (first offence), increasing to ₹5,000 or 3 months for subsequent offences. *Corporate Liability: Companies and their responsible officers liable for offences, with defences for due diligence and lack of knowledge.
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009
Short Title The Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009
Act Number / Year Act No. 27 of 2009
Act ID (India Code) 200927
Presidential Assent Date March 20, 2009
Enforcement Date August 25, 2009
Nodal Ministry Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Precedent & Statutory Rationale
1. Obsolescence of Colonial Frameworks:
o Prior to 2009, legal measures for controlling livestock diseases relied heavily on fragmented and archaic statutes like the Glanders and Farcy Act, 1899, which were narrowly focused on specific equines and completely inadequate for modern livestock management, multi-species disease vectors, and intensive farming systems.
2. Fulfilling International Obligations and Global Trade Compliance:
o With the globalization of trade in livestock and animal products, India needed a robust legal framework aligned with international sanitary standards set by international bodies (such as the World Organisation for Animal Health / OIE).
o The legislation was enacted to prevent the interstate spread of contagious animal diseases, safeguard livestock wealth, protect public health from zoonotic spillovers, and satisfy international export compliance obligations.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
• Formulation: Developed by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying to overhaul animal health governance.
• Parliamentary Passage: Originally introduced as a Bill in late 2005, scrutinized by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture, and subsequently passed by both Houses of Parliament.
• Presidential Assent: Received formal Presidential Assent on March 20, 2009, entering the statute book as Act No. 27 of 2009.
• Enforcement: Brought into active operational force on August 25, 2009.
• Source: India Code and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Official Records