The Poultry Breeding Flocks and Hatcheries (Scotland) Order 2007

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order revokes and re-enacts the Poultry Breeding Flocks and Hatcheries Order 1993 in so far as it relates to Scotland.

It provides for the submission of information relating to hatcheries and breeding flocks to the Scottish Ministers.

It implements the national control programme for domestic fowl of the species Gallus gallus–

(a) required by Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No. 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the control of salmonella and other specified food-borne zoonotic agents; and

(b) approved by the European Commission in accordance with Article 6 of that Regulation.

It implements Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1003/2005 implementing Regulation (EC) No. 2160/2003 as regards a Community target for the reduction of the prevalence of certain salmonella serotypes in breeding flocks of Gallus gallus and amending Regulation (EC) No. 2160/2003.

Articles 3 and 4 require the occupiers of hatcheries and of holdings with breeding flocks of at least 250 poultry to provide the Scottish Ministers with information about those premises.

Articles 5 to 11 apply to occupiers of holdings with breeding flocks of at least 250 domestic fowl. Article 5 is an interpretation provision. Articles 6 and 7 require that occupiers provide information about the laying status of breeding flocks. Article 8 imposes obligations to take samples from breeding flocks. Article 9 regulates the despatch and labelling of samples. Articles 10 and 11 provide for the keeping of records relating to samples and movement of domestic fowl or eggs to and from holdings. Article 12 imposes obligations on laboratories regarding preparation of the samples, the detection method to be used and reporting of the results.

Articles 13 and 14 prohibit the use of antimicrobials or live salmonella vaccine as methods of controlling salmonella other than in accordance with Articles 2 and 3 of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1177/2006 implementing Regulation (EC) No. 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards requirements for the use of specific control methods in the framework of the national programmes for the control of salmonella in poultry.

Articles 15 and 16 relate to the keeping and production of records relating to poultry hatcheries.

Articles 17 to 19 relate to powers of inspectors, tampering with samples, action to be taken on default and enforcement. Breach of the Order is an offence under section 73 of the Animal Health Act 1981 and is punishable in accordance with section 75 of that Act.

A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared and placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. Copies may be obtained from the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, Pentland House, 47 Robb’s Loan, Edinburgh EH14 1TY.

The national control programme is available from the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department at the above address or from the Scottish Executive website (www/scotland.gov.uk).