[F1 ANNEX V U.K. Criteria for the definition of the seasonally vector-free period (referred to in Article 9(2))]

Textual Amendments

F1 Substituted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 456/2012 of 30 May 2012 amending Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007 on implementing rules for Council Directive 2000/75/EC as regards the control, monitoring, surveillance and restrictions on movements of certain animals of susceptible species in relation to bluetongue (Text with EEA relevance).

For the purpose of determining a bluetongue seasonally-free zone, the seasonally vector-free period for a determinate epidemiologically relevant geographical area F2 ... (epidemiologically relevant geographical area) shall be defined by the competent authority using at least the following criteria:

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in Annex 5 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Exotic Disease (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1410), regs. 1, 14(13); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

1. General criteria U.K.

(a) A bluetongue monitoring and/or surveillance programme must be in place. U.K.

(b) The specific criteria and thresholds used for the determination of the seasonally vector-free period shall be defined considering the Culicoides species proven or suspected to be the main vectors in the epidemiologically relevant geographical area. U.K.

(c) The criteria used for the determination of the seasonal vector-free period shall be applied considering data from current and previous years (historical data). In addition, the aspects linked to surveillance data standardization shall be taken into consideration. U.K.

2. Specific criteria U.K.

(a) No bluetongue virus circulation within the epidemiologically relevant geographical area, as demonstrated by bluetongue surveillance programmes or other evidence suggesting a halt in bluetongue virus. U.K.

(b) Cessation of vector and likely vector activity, as demonstrated through entomological surveillance as part of the bluetongue monitoring and/or surveillance programmes. U.K.

(c) Captures of Culicoides species proven or suspected to be the vectors of the serotype present in the epidemiologically relevant geographical area below a maximum threshold of vectors collected that shall be defined for the epidemiologically relevant geographical area. In the absence of sound evidence supporting the determination of the maximum threshold, total absence of Culicoides imicola specimens and less than five parous Culicoides per trap must be used. U.K.

3. Additional criteria U.K.

(a) Temperature conditions that impact on the behaviour of the vectors activity for the epidemiologically relevant geographical area. The temperature thresholds shall be defined in consideration of the ecological behaviour of Culicoides species proven or suspected to be the vectors of the serotype present in the epidemiologically relevant geographical area. U.K.