The Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Control of Vaccination) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006

Survey and classification of premises during phase 2

23.—(1) The Department shall ensure that during phase 2 a clinical and serological survey of all premises in the vaccination zone where a susceptible animal is kept is carried out in accordance with the method set out in paragraph (2).

(2) The method referred to in paragraph (1) is that all susceptible animals in the vaccination zone are clinically inspected; and either—

(a) testing for infection with the disease virus by an assay for antibodies against non-structural proteins of the disease virus is carried out on a selection of susceptible animals; or

(b) testing for antibodies against non-structural proteins of the disease virus is carried out on samples from all vaccinated animals and their unvaccinated offspring.

(3) The Department shall ensure that during phase 2 all premises in the vaccination zone where susceptible animals are kept are classified according to the outcome of the survey referred to in paragraph (1) and the criteria in Schedule 2 to the FMD Regulations—

(a) as infected premises, where the premises contain at least one susceptible animal in which the presence of the disease virus is confirmed, as infected premises;

(b) as reactor premises where the premises contain at least one susceptible animal suspected of being infected but where further testing including all susceptible animals on the premises confirmed the absence of circulating disease virus; or

(c) as free of disease.

(4) Where premises are classified as reactor premises under paragraph (3)(b), the Department shall serve a notice on the occupier declaring the premises to be reactor premises.

(5) Where premises are classified as free of disease under paragraph (3)(c), the Department shall serve a notice on the occupier declaring the premises to be free of disease.

(6) A person carrying out a clinical examination or serological sampling shall do so in accordance with the requirements of Annex III of the Directive.

(7) A person carrying out a diagnostic test shall do so in accordance with the requirements of Annex XIII of the Directive.