PART 5Suspicion and confirmation of disease in feral pigs
Measures on suspicion of disease in feral pigs20.
(1)
Where it is suspected that a feral pig is infected with disease—
(a)
a veterinary inspector must take all reasonable steps to establish whether or not that suspicion is correct; and
(b)
the appropriate authority must make available information regarding the suspicion to keepers and to hunters believed to be operating in the area exposed to the risk of spread of disease.
(2)
Where it is suspected that a feral pig is infected with disease a veterinary inspector must—
(a)
carry out investigations of any feral pigs shot or found dead in the area believed to be exposed to the risk of spread of disease; and
(b)
produce a report that assesses the disease situation in feral pigs.
(3)
Following the suspicion of disease in a feral pig the appropriate authority may declare a feral pig investigation zone and apply some or all of the Schedule 2 measures.
F1(4)
The Secretary of State may also, following suspicion of disease in Wales or Scotland, declare a feral pig investigation zone in England and apply some or all of the Schedule 2 measures.
F2Removal of feral pig investigation zones in England20A.
(1)
The Secretary of State must keep in place a feral pig investigation zone until—
(a)
a feral pig control zone is declared by the Secretary of State covering all or part of the area covered by the feral pig investigation zone;
(b)
a restricted zone 2 is declared covering all or part of the area covered by the feral pig investigation zone; or
(c)
the presence of disease has been negated.
(2)
Where sub-paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of paragraph (1) applies, the Secretary of State must revoke the zone.
Measures on confirmation of disease in feral pigs21.
(1)
Where the Chief Veterinary Officer concludes that African swine fever or classical swine fever is present in a feral pig, the appropriate authority must declare a feral pig control zone, and all the measures in Schedule 2 apply within that zone.
(2)
Where the Chief Veterinary Officer concludes that swine vesicular disease is present in a feral pig, the appropriate authority may declare a feral pig control zone, and may apply some or all of the Schedule 2 measures.
F3(2A)
The Secretary of State may also, following confirmation that disease is present in a feral pig in Wales or Scotland, declare a feral pig control zone in England and apply some or all of the Schedule 2 measures.
(3)
Meat from a feral pig hunted in any feral pig control zone must not be placed on the market by any person unless the carcase is tested negative for disease in accordance with the relevant Diagnostic Manual and a veterinary inspector considers there is no risk of the spread of disease.
F4Removal of feral pig control zones in England21A.
(1)
The Secretary of State must keep in place a feral pig control zone until—
(a)
a restricted zone 2 is declared covering all or part of the area covered by the feral pig control zone; or
(b)
the Secretary of State considers, on the basis of a risk assessment, it is appropriate for the zone to be removed.
(2)
Where sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (1) applies, the Secretary of State must revoke the zone.
Emergency vaccination of feral pigs F5(other than feral pigs in England) against classical swine fever22.
(1)
Where the Chief Veterinary Officer concludes that classical swine fever is present in a feral pig F6(other than a feral pig in England), and the epidemiological data available suggest that the disease threatens to spread, the appropriate authority may—
(a)
introduce emergency vaccination of feral pigs in a specified area; and
(b)
impose such conditions and restrictions in the specified area as the appropriate authority believes are necessary in order to enhance the effectiveness of the vaccination campaign.
(2)
An occupier must comply with any such conditions and restrictions.
F7Emergency vaccination of feral pigs in England against classical swine fever and African swine fever22A.
(1)
Where the Chief Veterinary Officer concludes that classical swine fever or African swine fever is present in a feral pig in England, and the epidemiological data available indicates there is a risk of the spread of that disease, the Secretary of State may—
(a)
introduce emergency vaccination of feral pigs in a specified area; and
(b)
impose such conditions and restrictions in the specified area as the Secretary of State considers are necessary in order to improve the effectiveness of the vaccination campaign.
(2)
An occupier must comply with any conditions or restrictions imposed under paragraph (1)(b).