Measures following suspicion – premises other than contact premisesN.I.
9.—(1) This regulation applies where premises, other than contact premises, are designated as suspect premises.
(2) A veterinary inspector shall take all reasonable steps to establish whether or not African horse sickness virus is present.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2), a veterinary inspector may, if the Department considers it necessary, take and have tested samples from any horse or carcase that is, or has previously been, on the premises.
(4) If the Department is satisfied following the steps referred to in paragraph (2) that it is no longer appropriate for the premises to remain designated as suspect premises, a veterinary inspector shall revoke the notice served under regulation 8(2).
(5) Where that notice is revoked, the measures in Schedule 1 cease to have effect, except for the purposes of paragraph 1(4)(a) of that Schedule (duty to keep records for 6 months following revocation of notice).
(6) If the Department is satisfied following tests under this regulation that there are seropositive horses on the premises, a veterinary inspector shall continue to monitor as appropriate horses on the premises, and may take further samples and have them tested.
(7) Paragraph (8) applies if the Department is satisfied as a result of any test carried out under this regulation or any clinical signs in any horse on the premises that African horse sickness virus is present in a horse or carcase or on the premises.
(8) Where this paragraph applies, a veterinary inspector shall serve a notice on the occupier declaring the premises to be infected premises(1).
(9) Where a notice has been served under paragraph (8), the measures in Schedule 1 continue to have effect.
(10) The notice served under paragraph (8) may require the occupier to erect and maintain such signs on the premises as may be required by a veterinary inspector.
(11) If the Department considers it necessary to reduce the risk of spread of African horse sickness virus, the notice served under paragraph (8) may require measures additional to those in Schedule 1 and paragraph (10).
See also the power of the Department under regulation 17 to declare a control zone, protection zone and surveillance zone.