The Swine Vesicular Disease (Scotland) Order 2009

Testing with pigs

27.—(1) A pig must not be moved to infected premises until a veterinary inspector confirms by notice to the occupier that the control measures are completed to the satisfaction of the inspector.

(2) A notice under paragraph (1) may not be issued until 28 days after completion of the control measures.

(3) The movement of pigs to the premises must, unless licensed under paragraph (6), start with the introduction of a limited number of pigs (“sentinel pigs”) which have been–

(a) tested at the expense of the occupier; and

(b) found to be negative for the presence of antibodies against swine vesicular disease virus.

(4) The sentinel pigs must be–

(a) placed throughout the premises, as directed by a veterinary inspector;

(b) examined, and sampled for serological testing, by a veterinary inspector 28 days after placement; and

(c) tested for disease.

(5) If sentinel pigs show no signs of swine vesicular disease, or have not developed antibodies after testing under paragraph (4), then a release notice may be issued.

(6) In the case of indoor premises, a veterinary inspector may license the movement of a pig to the infected premises without the introduction of sentinel pigs, but the–

(a) licensed pigs (if more than one) must be introduced over a period of 8 consecutive days;

(b) licensed pig must come from premises outside a protection zone or surveillance zone; and

(c) licensed pig must have been tested at the expense of the licence holder (or applicant, if applicable) within 14 days before movement, and be seronegative.

(7) Where a pig is moved to the premises conform to a licence under paragraph (6)–

(a) a veterinary inspector must examine the pig at least 28 days after it is moved;

(b) a veterinary inspector must sample and carry out a serological test on the pig, or a statistically valid number of pigs (if more than one), at the earliest 28 days after the arrival of the pig (or last pig); and

(c) no pig may leave the premises for a period of 60 days after the arrival of the pig (or last pig).

(8) If licensed pigs show no signs of swine vesicular disease, or have not developed antibodies after testing under paragraph (7), then a release notice may be issued 60 days after the arrival of the pig (or last pig) on the infected premises.