Biological Weapons Act 1974
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Act to prohibit the development, production, acquisition and possession of certain biological agents and toxins and of biological weapons. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 1974 c. 6 |
| Introduced by | Robert Carr (Commons) |
| Territorial extent | United Kingdom[b] |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 8 February 1974 |
| Commencement | 8 February 1974[c] |
| Other legislation | |
| Amends |
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| Amended by |
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Status: Amended | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
| Text of the Biological Weapons Act 1974 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
The Biological Weapons Act 1974 (c. 6) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, passed during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 February 1974, with the long title "An Act to prohibit the development, production, acquisition and possession of certain biological agents and toxins and of biological weapons."[1][2]
The act makes illegal the development, production, acquisition or retainment of biological weapons, as well as any weapon delivery systems for the deployment of biological weapons. It also forbade the exchange between people of biological weapons and established the prison sentence for committing the crimes mentioned in the Act; a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The act extends to anyone within the United Kingdom, or British citizens abroad, however the citizen must be within the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man or any of the British colonies to be arrested for the offense.
It also gives Customs and Excise officers the power to seize biological weapons coming in or out of the United Kingdom, or British citizens in other countries transporting biological weaponry for deportation to the UK.
A fourth section says that anyone may be charged (as with other crimes) with aiding and abetting or conspiring to transport biological weapons.
The act extends to the entire United Kingdom.
Notes
- ↑ Section 7.
- ↑ Section 6.
- ↑ The Acts of Parliament (Commencement) Act 1793.
References
- ↑ "ICRC Biological Weapons Act (1974)". ihl-databases.icrc.org. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
- ↑ "Biological Weapons Act 1974 Legislation Gov UK". Retrieved 21 September 2025.
External links
The full text of Biological Weapons Act 1974 at Wikisource- Text of the Biological Weapons Act 1974 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.
- Text of the Biological Weapons Act 1974 as originally enacted or made within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.