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

Regulations 36, 66, 67(3), and Schedule 2

SCHEDULE 3 CLEANSING AND DISINFECTION OF PREMISES OTHER THAN A REGULATED PLACE AND OF ANY THING (INCLUDING ANY VEHICLE) ON THOSE PREMISES

PART I GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR CLEANSING, DISINFECTION AND TREATMENT

1.  A person carrying out cleansing, disinfection and treatment (including measures to control rodents and insects) must do so in accordance with this Part or (if different) with any instructions given by an inspector.

2.  A person using a disinfectant or degreasing agent must ensure that they are used as effectively as possible and must, in particular, give consideration to the following in deciding which products to use and how to use them—

(a) the nature of the premises to be cleansed or disinfected;

(b) the type of vehicle or other thing to be cleansed or disinfected; and

(c) any instructions from the manufacturer of the product (or of an inspector) as to pressure, minimum temperature and required contact time.

3.  A person cleansing and disinfecting must ensure that—

(a) bedding, litter and faecal matter are thoroughly soaked with disinfectant;

(b) equipment and installations which would otherwise impair effective cleansing and disinfecting are, where possible, removed or dismantled and either cleansed and disinfected or destroyed if this is considered necessary by the person carrying out the cleansing and disinfecting or is required by an inspector; and

(c) the ground, any floors, ramps and walls are washed and cleansed by thorough brushing and scrubbing.

4.  A person washing with liquids applied under pressure must avoid recontaminating areas or parts previously cleansed.

5.  A person who has cleansed and disinfected part of a premises must avoid recontaminating that part as he cleanses and disinfects other parts.

6.  A person carrying out a cleansing or disinfecting procedure must ensure that a written record of that procedure is made, showing the date and time the procedure took place.

7.  A person who makes such a record must keep it at the premises or (if he is a person in charge of a vehicle and the procedure involved cleansing or disinfecting that vehicle), with the vehicle.

PART II SPECIFIC PROCEDURES FOR THE CLEANSING AND DISINFECTING OF INFECTED PREMISES

Scope of this Part

1.  This Part applies to the cleansing and disinfecting of infected premises except to the extent that its requirements are varied by an inspector.

Cleansing and disinfection – timing

2.  Cleansing and disinfecting must be carried out during and after the killing of poultry or other captive birds and in accordance with the instructions of an inspector.

Cleansing and disinfection precautions

3.  A person carrying out a cleansing or disinfection procedure must take all appropriate measures to reduce the risk of avian influenza virus spreading and must, in particular—

(a) use appropriate equipment;

(b) wear protective clothing (which must be cleansed and disinfected or disposed of after use);

(c) take a shower after the cleansing and disinfection;

(d) cleanse and disinfect any equipment which may be contaminated before it is removed from the premises; and

(e) turn off the power supply to any ventilation system, if required to do so by an inspector.

Preliminary cleansing and disinfecting

4.  Following killing—

(a) carcases must be sprayed with disinfectant;

(b) transportation of carcases and of any tissue or blood spilled during killing or post-mortem examination from the infected premises for disposal must be in closed, leak-proof containers and in accordance with the instructions of an inspector;

(c) the following parts of the infected premises must have disinfectant applied as soon as the killed poultry and other captive birds have been removed—

(i) parts where the poultry or other captive birds were housed,

(ii) parts contaminated during the killing of the poultry or other captive birds,

(iii) parts contaminated during any post-mortem examination;

(d) any tissue or blood spilled during the killing or any post-mortem must be collected and disposed of with the killed poultry or other captive birds;

(e) disinfectant must remain on the surfaces to which it has been applied for at least 24 hours.

Final cleansing and disinfecting

5.  Following preliminary cleansing and disinfection—

(a) manure and used bedding must be treated in accordance with Part III of this Schedule; and

(b) all surfaces must be subjected to the following procedures—

(i) grease and dirt must be removed from them by the application of a degreasing agent,

(ii) they must then be cleansed with water,

(iii) they must be washed with cold water, following which further disinfectant must be applied, and

(iv) after seven days they must again be treated with a degreasing agent, rinsed with water, sprayed with disinfectant and rinsed again with water.

PART III DISINFECTION OF LITTER, MANURE AND SLURRY WHICH MAY BE CONTAMINATED

1.  Manure and used bedding which may be contaminated must be—

(a) steam treated at a temperature of at least 70°C;

(b) destroyed by burning;

(c) buried deep enough to prevent access by wild birds and animals; or

(d) stacked to heat, sprayed with disinfectant and left for at least 42 days.

2.  Slurry which may be contaminated must be stored for at least 60 days after the last addition of infectious material unless, in the case of slurry which has been treated in accordance with the instructions of the Department, a shorter storage period is authorised.

3.  Manure, litter and bedding which may be contaminated may, if licenced by the Department, be moved to—

(a) a treatment plant carrying out procedures for the destruction of avian influenza virus;

(b) storage prior to destruction; or

(c) such other place as the Department may licence.

4.  The transport of such manure, litter or bedding must be in closed, leak-proof vehicles or containers and in accordance with the instructions of an inspector.