53.—(1) In this Act, the practice of veterinary medicine means any one of the following—

(a) in relation to an animal—

(i) diagnosing disease, injury, pain, deformity, defect or state of health,

(ii) identifying and carrying out treatment, whether surgical or medical in nature, of any matter referred to in subparagraph (i),

(iii) performing a surgical procedure,

(iv) giving advice, following an action referred to in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) as to care required,

(v) furnishing a written certificate as to the doing of any action referred to in subparagraph (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv),

(b) in relation to an animal or products of animal origin, performing such functions as may be conferred on veterinary practitioners from time to time by the Minister for the purpose of giving effect to—

(i) any provision of the Treaties governing the European Communities,

(ii) any regulation, directive or other act adopted by an institution of the European Communities, or

(iii) a judgement of the European Court of Justice,

relating to certification on live animals or products of animal origin,

(c) in relation to an animal remedy, performing a function conferred on a registered person by or under any enactment, whether passed before or after the passing of this Act.

(2) In subsection (1)(a)(i), “diagnosing” includes the following:

(a) diagnosing the cause of death of an animal; and

(b) examining the reproductive organs of a mare via the rectum.