Your World of Legal Intelligence
 United Kingdom | +44 (0) 20 7284 8080

Biological Weapons Act 1974

Consolidated Text As Enacted Cited authorities 10 Cited in Amendments 40 Related
Vincent
JurisdictionUK Non-devolved
Citation1974 c. 6
any biological agent or toxin of a type and in a quantity that has no justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes; orany weapon, equipment or means of delivery designed to use biological agents or toxins for hostile purposes or in armed conflict.transfer any biological agent or toxin to another person or enter into an agreement to do so, ormake arrangements under which another person transfers any biological agent or toxin or enters into an agreement with a third person to do so,(2) In this section—
  • “biological agent” means any microbial or other biological agent; and
  • “toxin” means any toxin, whatever its origin or method of production.
(3) Any person contravening this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction on indictment, be liable to imprisonment for life.(1) Section 1 applies to acts done outside the United Kingdom, but only if they are done by a United Kingdom person.(2) Proceedings for an offence committed under section 1 outside the United Kingdom may be taken, and the offence may for incidental purposes be treated as having been committed, in any place in the United Kingdom.(3) Her Majesty may by Order in Council extend the application of section 1, so far as it applies to acts done outside the United Kingdom, to bodies incorporated under the law of any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or any colony.(4) In this section “United Kingdom person” means a United Kingdom national, a Scottish partnership or a body incorporated under the law of a part of the United Kingdom.a British citizen, a British Dependent Territories citizen, a British National (Overseas) or a British Overseas citizen;a person who under the British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61) is a British subject; ora British protected person within the meaning of that Act.(6) Nothing in this section affects any criminal liability arising otherwise than under this section.the development or production outside the United Kingdom of any thing mentioned in section 1(1) (a) or (b) above;the movement of any such thing into or out of any country or territory;any proposal or attempt to do anything falling within paragraph (a) or (b) above.((3) Any proceedings for an offence which are instituted F11by order of the Commissioners under subsection (1) above shall be commenced in the name of an officer F12of Revenue and Customs, but may be continued by another officer.whether there are grounds for believing that a biological weapons offence has been committed, orwhether a person should be prosecuted for such an offence,(5) Nothing in this section affects any power of any person (including any officer) apart from this section.((7) This section does not apply to the institution of proceedings in Scotland.in England or Wales, except by or with the consent of the Attorney General; orin Northern Ireland, except by or with

To continue reading

Request your trial
Navigation index

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT