Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act 1878

The Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act 1878 (41 & 42 Vict. c. 74) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed by Benjamin Disraeli's Conservative government.

A select committee was appointed in 1877 to investigate animal diseases. The resulting Act established central rather than local control over all outbreaks of animal disease.

The agriculturist Jacob Wilson considered the Act "an undoubted benefit conferred upon the agricultural interest by the Conservative Government". It was opposed by the Radicals.