Commission Decision of 25 June 2010 on the implementation by Member States of surveillance programmes for avian influenza in poultry and wild birds (notified under document C(2010) 4190) (Text with EEA relevance) (2010/367/EU)

4. Risk-based surveillance (RBS) method U.K.

The choice of RBS must be determined by an assessment F1 ... which shall consider at least the following criteria and risk factors:

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Annex 1 para. 4 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Exotic Disease (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1410), regs. 1, 16(7)(e); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

4.1. Criteria and Risk factors U.K.

4.1.1. Criteria and risk factors for virus introduction into poultry holdings due to direct or indirect exposure to wild birds in particular those of identified ‘target species’ U.K.

(a)

The location of the poultry holding in proximity to wet areas, ponds, swamps, lakes, rivers or sea shores where migratory wild water birds may gather.

(b)

The location of the poultry holding in areas with a high density of migratory wild birds, in particular of those birds that are characterised as ‘target species’ (TS) for HPAI H5N1 detection and listed in Part 2 of Annex II.

(c)

The location of poultry holding in proximity to resting and breeding places of migratory wild water birds, in particular where these areas are linked through migratory birds’ movements to areas where HPAI H5N1 is known to occur in wild birds or poultry.

(d)

Poultry holdings with free range production, or poultry holdings where poultry or other captive birds are kept in the open-air in any premises in which contact with wild birds cannot be sufficiently prevented.

(e)

Low biosecurity level in the poultry holding, including the method of storage of feed and the use of surface water.

4.1.2. Criteria and risk factors of virus spread within the poultry holding and between poultry holdings, as well as the consequences (impact) of the spread of avian influenza from poultry to poultry and between poultry holdings U.K.

(a)

The presence of more than one poultry species in the same poultry holding, in particular the presence of domestic ducks and geese together with other poultry species.

(b)

The type of poultry production and the poultry species on the holding for which surveillance data have shown an increased detection rate of avian influenza infection F2 ..., such as duck holdings and poultry intended for re-stocking supplies of game (in particular farmed mallards).

(c)

The location of the poultry holding in areas with high densities of poultry holdings.

(d)

Trade patterns, including imports and related intensity of movements, both direct and indirect, of poultry and other factors including vehicles, equipment and persons.

(e)

The presence of long lived poultry categories and multi-age groups of poultry on the holding (such as layers).

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in Annex 1 para. 4.1.2(b) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Exotic Disease (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1410), regs. 1, 16(7)(f); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

4.2. Targeting of populations at risk U.K.

The level of targeting must reflect the number and local weighting of risk factors present on the poultry holding.

The competent authority may consider other risk factors in its assessment in designing its surveillance design which must be duly indicated and justified in their surveillance programme.

4.3. Targeting of poultry holdings to be sampled U.K.

Tables 1 and 2 may be used as a basis in order to determine the number of poultry holdings to be sampled per risk population.