Animal Diseases Act is replaced by Animal Health Act

The previous Animal Diseases Act, which also governed genetic engineering work with animal pathogens, is being replaced by the Animal Health Act. In May 2013, the Federal Council approved an Animal Health Act previously passed by the Bundestag, replacing the Animal Diseases Act and fundamentally amending its content. The new Animal Health Act places prevention at the forefront of the law. It therefore contains a series of provisions for preventive protection against animal diseases, for better control, and for improving monitoring. A key point is the expansion of the group of people who must report notifiable animal diseases. The law itself also creates the legal framework for preventive action. For the purpose of animal health, in-house inspections and mandatory hygiene measures will be introduced. A "Standing Vaccination Commission for Veterinary Medicine" will be established at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), which will develop vaccination recommendations based on the animal disease situation in Germany.

This publication can also be found on the website of the law firm Dr. Kauch .