The Swine Vesicular Disease (Wales) Regulations 2009

CHAPTER 4 Removal of measures in Schedule 1 from infected premises

Removal of restrictions from infected premises

17.—(1) Unless otherwise provided for in these Regulations, the fallback position is that a veterinary inspector may not remove the measures in Schedule 1 on infected premises until the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that sufficient time has elapsed for the virus to have decayed naturally to the extent that it will no longer infect pigs.

(2) But a veterinary inspector may remove the measures in Schedule 1 before that time in parts of the premises capable of being cleansed and disinfected if—

(a) the occupier has cleansed and disinfected those parts of the premises to the satisfaction of the veterinary inspector, and

(b) the premises have been tested for the existence of swine vesicular disease virus using sentinel pigs with negative results.

Cleansing and disinfection — general

18.—(1) Disinfectants used and, where appropriate, their concentrations, must be approved by the Welsh Ministers and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions (if any).

(2) Cleansing and disinfection must be carried out in such a way as to minimise the risk of spread or survival of swine vesicular disease virus.

Method of cleansing and disinfection

19.—(1) The cleansing and disinfection must be carried out by the occupier in accordance with written instructions from a veterinary inspector.

(2) The instructions must if necessary include requirements for—

(a) the treatment of manure, bedding and feed so as to inactivate the virus;

(b) the removal of grease and other dirt from all surfaces by soaking with a degreasing agent followed by washing the surfaces with water;

(c) spraying all surfaces with disinfectant (or treating them with a flame gun) and repeating after 14 days; and

(d) repairing damaged floors and walls.

Testing with sentinel pigs

20.—(1) Following cleansing and disinfection in accordance with the veterinary inspector’s instructions, a veterinary inspector must certify in writing that the cleansing and disinfection has been carried out in a satisfactory manner.

(2) The premises must then be tested for swine vesicular disease virus using sentinel pigs.

(3) The number of sentinel pigs must be limited to the minimum necessary for the test.

(4) Sentinel pigs may not be introduced until at least 28 days after the certificate has been issued, and must be introduced in accordance with a licence from a veterinary inspector.

(5) The pigs must have been tested at the expense of the occupier before being brought on to the premises and found to be negative for the presence of antibodies against swine vesicular disease virus.

(6) The veterinary inspector must ensure that the pigs are placed throughout the premises in sufficient numbers such that it is reasonable to expect any residual virus to affect one or more of the pigs.

(7) The pigs must be examined 28 days after having been placed on the premises, and sampled for the presence of antibodies against swine vesicular disease virus by a veterinary inspector.

(8) If none of the pigs shows clinical signs of swine vesicular disease or has developed antibodies against swine vesicular disease virus, the veterinary inspector must remove restrictions from those parts of the premises.

(9) As an alternative to introducing the minimum number of sentinel pigs, a veterinary inspector may licence the introduction of an unlimited number of sentinel pigs, but in this case—

(a) paragraphs (4), (5) and (6) apply in relation to the introduction of the sentinel pigs;

(b) all the pigs must arrive within a period of eight days;

(c) they must come from premises situated outside a protection zone or surveillance zone;

(d) a veterinary inspector must clinically examine all the pigs, and sample and carry out a test for the presence of antibodies against swine vesicular disease virus on a statistically valid number of pigs, at the earliest 28 days after the arrival of the last pig; and

(e) even if none of the pigs shows clinical signs of swine vesicular disease, a veterinary inspector may not remove the restrictions until 60 days after the arrival of the last pig.

Compulsory cleansing and disinfection

21.—(1) Irrespective of whether or not pigs are to be brought on to the premises again, the Welsh Ministers may serve a notice on an occupier requiring that occupier to carry out cleansing and disinfection of the premises specified in the notice, and failure to comply with the notice is an offence.

(2) The notice must specify a reasonable period within which the cleansing and disinfection must be carried out.

(3) If the notice is not complied with, the Welsh Ministers may arrange for it to be complied with, whether by officers of the Welsh Ministers or other persons, at the expense of the occupier.