The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007

PART VII MEASURES TO REDUCE THE RISK OF THE SPREAD OF INFLUENZA VIRUSES OF AVIAN ORIGIN TO OTHER SPECIES

Tests on animals at premises where avian influenza is confirmed

58.—(1) The Department must ensure that any pigs kept on premises where avian influenza is confirmed are tested for infection with influenza virus of avian origin.

(2) The Department may, if it thinks it necessary to prevent the spread of avian influenza, or influenza of avian origin require such tests to be carried out on other mammals kept on the premises.

Killing of mammals

59.  The Department must ensure that mammals to be killed under paragraph 10 of Part I of Schedule 2 to the 1981 Order(1) because they are affected or suspected of being affected with influenza virus of avian origin or have been exposed to such disease are—

(a) killed as soon as possible, in accordance with the instructions of a veterinary inspector; or

(b) transported in accordance with the instructions of a veterinary inspector (if they are moved off the premises for slaughter) to a designated slaughterhouse.

Movements off the premises

60.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a person shall not move any mammal tested under regulation 58 off the premises where they are kept until the Department has confirmed that the mammal is not infective and authorises the movement in accordance with the conditions of a licence.

(2) The Department may licence the movement of pigs and other mammals in which infection with influenza virus of avian origin is confirmed to other premises (including a designated slaughterhouse) if it is satisfied (as a result of further tests on the animals) that the movement will not significantly increase the risk of the spread of avian influenza.

Other measures to control the spread of virus in mammals

61.—(1) If the Department considers it necessary to monitor or control the spread of avian influenza or influenza of avian origin in mammals it may—

(a) do any of the following, after serving a notice on the occupier of the premises—

(i) test pigs and other mammals on contact premises for influenza virus of avian origin,

(ii) prohibit the movement of mammals or categories of mammals off contact premises except under the authority of and in accordance with the conditions of a licence granted by the Department,

(iii) carry out surveillance or require surveillance to be carried out at any premises where mammals are kept; and

(b) impose such measures additional to those in regulations 58 and 60 and sub-paragraph (a) as it considers necessary, by declaration of an avian influenza (restrictions on mammals) zone or by notice served on the occupier of any premises.

(2) Premises are contact premises for the purposes of this Part if, in the view of the Department, they are premises—

(a) to which influenza virus of avian origin may have been carried from premises where the virus has been confirmed; or

(b) from which the virus may have been carried to premises where the virus has been confirmed.

(1)

S.I. 1981/1115 (N.I.22) as amended by S.R. 1986 No. 79, S.R. 1994 No. 11, S.R. 1995 No. 44, S.R. 1995 No. 368 and S.R. 1996 No. 399