The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007

Regulations 46, 54(2)

SCHEDULE 6 MEASURES WHEN LOW PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA IS CONFIRMED

PART I MEASURES ON PREMISES WHERE LOW PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA IS CONFIRMED

Record of poultry, other captive birds and mammals

1.  The occupier must make and update daily a record of poultry, other captive birds and mammals kept on the premises showing, for each species the number or approximate number—

(a) alive;

(b) which have died;

(c) which show clinical signs of avian influenza;

(d) which he thinks are likely to be infected; and

(e) born or hatched.

Housing or isolation of poultry and other captive birds

2.—(1) The occupier must ensure that poultry and other captive birds are—

(a) housed; or

(b) kept isolated (if so directed by an inspector on the basis that housing is impractical or would adversely affect the welfare of the birds to a significant degree).

(2) If the birds are kept isolated, the occupier must take all reasonable steps to minimise their contact with wild birds, in accordance with the instructions of the inspector.

Prohibition on movement of poultry and other captive birds to or from the premises

3.  A person shall not move any poultry or other captive birds to or from the premises, except under and in accordance with the conditions of a licence granted by the Department.

Movement of poultry to a designated slaughterhouse

4.  A person shall not move any poultry or other captive bird to a slaughterhouse unless—

(a) the slaughterhouse is a designated slaughterhouse;

(b) the poultry are sent directly to the designated slaughterhouse; and

(c) they are transported in vehicles sealed by an inspector, or in accordance with the instructions of an inspector.

Duty not to tamper with or remove seal on vehicles transporting poultry

5.  A person shall not tamper with a seal on a vehicle transporting poultry to a designated slaughterhouse or remove it until the vehicle has arrived at the designated slaughterhouse.

Cleansing and disinfection of vehicles transporting any bird or thing which may be contaminated

6.  A person who transports any bird or any thing which may be contaminated must, as soon as the bird or thing is unloaded, cleanse and disinfect the vehicle and any equipment used for transportation in accordance with regulation 66.

Prohibition on the movement of people, animals, vehicles and equipment to or from premises

7.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a person shall not move to or from the premises and a person shall not move any mammal, vehicle or equipment to or from the premises, except under and in accordance with the conditions of a licence granted by the Department.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to pet animals which—

(a) only have access to that part of the premises where people live;

(b) have no contact with poultry or other captive birds on the premises; and

(c) have no access to any cages or areas on the premises where poultry or other captive birds are kept.

Disposal of carcases

8.  The occupier must ensure that carcases are disposed of as soon as possible in accordance with the instructions of an inspector (unless the Department licences their use for diagnosis of disease).

Restrictions in relation to eggs

9.  Subject to paragraph 10 the occupier must ensure that eggs on the premises which are to be disposed of and which are not seized by an inspector are disposed of in accordance with the instructions of the inspector.

Hatching eggs on special category premises

10.  An inspector may, by notice served on the occupier of special category premises, direct that hatching eggs on those premises need not be disposed of.

Tracing

11.  The occupier must give all reasonable assistance to an inspector in the tracing of any thing liable to transmit avian influenza from or to the premises.

Manure, slurry and bedding

12.  The occupier of the premises must ensure that manure, slurry and bedding which may be contaminated are treated in accordance with regulation 66.

Cleansing and disinfection

13.  The occupier must cleanse and disinfect the premises in accordance with regulation 66 and Schedule 3.

Other material which may be contaminated

14.  The occupier of the premises must ensure that any other material or substance which may be contaminated with avian influenza is treated in accordance with the instructions of the inspector or disposed of.

Killing and seizure

15.  The occupier must give all reasonable assistance to an inspector exercising his duties in relation to the killing of poultry or other captive birds under paragraph 11 of Part I of Schedule 2 to the 1981 Order and to the seizure of any thing seized under the 1981 Order.

Restriction on the movement of eggs

16.  A person shall not move any eggs from the premises except under and in accordance with the conditions of a licence granted by the Department.

Disinfection at entrances and exits

17.  The occupier must, in accordance with the instructions of the inspector, provide and maintain means of disinfection at the entrances and exits of the premises and of any buildings housing poultry or other captive birds.

PART II CRITERIA TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE PERMITTING MOVEMENTS FROM PREMISES WHERE LOW PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA HAS BEEN CONFIRMED

The following are the criteria to be considered by the Department before permitting movements from premises where low pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed—

(a) the species of birds on the premises;

(b) the number of premises it knows to contain poultry or other captive birds in the area around the premises;

(c) the location of slaughterhouses, hatcheries and egg packing centres to which poultry and eggs could be moved;

(d) biosecurity measures already in place or which could be applied at the premises, during movement and during slaughter;

(e) possible routes on which things could be moved;

(f) any evidence of disease spread;

(g) any risk to human health; and

(h) any treatment procedures which could be applied to any thing to be moved.