This document establishes the legal framework and regulatory requirements for the importation of animal pathogens into the United Kingdom to prevent the spread of disease. The order functions as a statutory instrument, providing the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with the authority to control, license, and monitor the movement of biological agents that pose a risk to livestock and public health. It serves as a foundational regulatory mechanism for biosecurity protocols regarding animal health.

Legal professionals and agricultural policy experts view this document as a primary source for understanding the historical development of UK biosecurity law. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose, which is typical of statutory instruments from this period.