The African Horse Sickness Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013

PART IV SLAUGHTERHOUSES

Imposition of initial controls at slaughterhouses

13.—(1) This regulation applies—

(a) where—

(i) the Department is notified under regulation 5(1) that it is suspected that a horse or carcase at a slaughterhouse is infected with African horse sickness virus; and

(ii) a veterinary inspector considers that further investigation relating to the possible presence of African horse sickness virus is necessary; or

(b) where for any other reason a veterinary inspector considers that further investigation relating to the possible presence of African horse sickness virus at a slaughterhouse is necessary.

(2) Where paragraph 1(a) applies a veterinary inspector shall inform (orally or otherwise) the person who gave notification that further investigation is necessary, and the controls in paragraph (5) then apply.

(3) A veterinary inspector shall go to the slaughterhouse and examine the notified horse or carcase, and may examine any other horse or carcase there as the veterinary inspector considers appropriate.

(4) Where paragraph 1(b) applies a veterinary inspector may by notice served on the person in charge of the slaughterhouse impose the controls in paragraph (5).

(5) The controls are that the person in charge of the slaughterhouse shall ensure that—

(a) no horse or carcase is removed from the slaughterhouse;

(b) any notified horse and any other horse from the same premises as the notified horse is not slaughtered unless authorised by a veterinary inspector; and

(c) if any notified horse or any horse from the same premises as a notified horse has already been, or is subsequently, slaughtered or has died, its carcase is specifically identified and retained at the slaughterhouse until a veterinary inspector has examined it, and taken samples if considered necessary.

Actions following examination

14.—(1) This regulation applies where a veterinary inspector has acted under regulation 13(3).

(2) If the veterinary inspector is satisfied that African horse sickness virus does not exist in any horse or carcase at the slaughterhouse, the veterinary inspector shall confirm this (orally or otherwise) to the person in charge of the slaughterhouse.

(3) If the presence of African horse sickness virus cannot be ruled out, a veterinary inspector—

(a) may by notice served on the person in charge of the slaughterhouse vary the controls applicable under regulation 13(2) or imposed by notice under regulation 13(4),

(b) may take samples and test them to establish the presence of that virus at the slaughterhouse(1).

(4) If the Department is satisfied that tests carried out under this regulation demonstrate that African horse sickness virus is not present in the slaughterhouse, a veterinary inspector shall confirm this (orally or otherwise) to the person in charge of the slaughterhouse.

(5) Paragraph (6) applies where the Department is satisfied as a result of—

(a) any test carried out under this regulation; or

(b) any clinical signs in any horse at the slaughterhouse or any other premises where any horse at the slaughterhouse has recently been,

that African horse sickness virus is present in a horse or carcase at the slaughterhouse.

(6) Where this paragraph applies, the Department shall ensure that all carcases of infected horses are disposed of in such a way as to avoid the risk of spread of African horse sickness virus(2).

(7) Where confirmation is given under paragraph (2) or (4), or following the disposal of carcases under paragraph (6)—

(a) any controls applicable under regulation 13(2) (and, where applicable, as varied under paragraph (3)(a)) cease to have effect,

(b) any notice served under regulation 13(4) (and, where applicable, as varied under paragraph (3)(a)) is revoked.

(1)

See also the power of the Department under regulation 16 to declare a temporary control zone.

(2)

See also the power of the Department under regulation 17 to declare a control zone, protection zone and surveillance zone.