Diseases of Poultry (England) Order 2003

Title, commencement and extent E+W+S

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Diseases of Poultry (England) Order 2003 and shall come into force on 30th April 2003.

(2) This Order applies to England only.

Extension of definition of “poultry” and “disease” E+W+S

2.—(1) The definition of “poultry” in section 87(4) of the Animal Health Act 1981 is extended to include all birds.

(2) The definition of “disease” in section 88(3) of the Act is extended to include all diseases of birds.

Interpretation E+W+S

3.—(1) In this Order—

“bird” includes poultry, unless the context otherwise requires;

“carcase” means the carcase of poultry or of any bird other than poultry, as the context requires, and includes part of a carcase;

“Chief Veterinary Officer” means the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs;

[F1 “Council Directive 2005/94/EC” means Council Directive 2005/94/EC on Community measures for the control of avian influenza;]

“designated disease” means paramyxovirus 1 in pigeons, avian influenza and Newcastle disease;

“disinfect” means disinfect with a disinfectant approved under [F2 the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (England) Order 2007] for the purposes of this Order;

F3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“poultry” means domestic fowls, turkeys, geese, ducks, guinea fowls, quails, pigeons, ratites and pheasants and partridges reared or kept in captivity for breeding, the production of meat or eggs for consumption or for restocking supplies of game;

“premises” includes any place; and

“racing pigeon” means any pigeon transported or intended for transport from its pigeon house (any installation used for keeping or breeding racing pigeons) to be released so that it may freely fly back to its pigeon house or to any other destination.

(2) Any notice or licence served or issued under this Order or under a [F4 declaration] made under article 10 below shall be in writing, may be general or specific, may be the subject of conditions and may be amended, suspended or revoked by notice in writing at any time.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in art. 3(1) inserted (1.6.2018) by The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/575), regs. 1(2), 32(2)(a)

F2 Words in art. 3(1) substituted (1.6.2018) by The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/575), regs. 1(2), 32(2)(b)

F3 Words in art. 3(1) revoked (1.11.2009) by The Animal Health (Divisional Veterinary Managers) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2713), arts. 1, 2(2), Sch. 2

F4 Word in art. 3(2) substituted (21.4.2021) by The Specified Diseases (Notification and Control) (Amendment, etc.) (England) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/443), arts. 1(1), 5(2)

[F5 Notification procedure where an infection with Avian Mycoplasmosis is suspected E+W+S

3A.— (1) A person who—

(a) analyses a sample from a bird or bird carcase, and

(b) knows or reasonably suspects that the bird or carcase is infected with Avian Mycoplasmosis (infection with Mycoplasma gallisepticum or M. meleagridis),

must give notice of that knowledge or suspicion to the Secretary of State as soon as practicable.

(2) This article applies only in relation to domestic fowl and turkeys.

Textual Amendments

F5 Arts. 3A, 3B inserted (21.4.2021) by The Specified Diseases (Notification and Control) (Amendment, etc.) (England) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/443), arts. 1(1), 5(3)

Notification procedure where an infection with Avian Chlamydiosis is suspected E+W+S

3B.— (1) A person who—

(a) analyses a sample from a bird or bird carcase, and

(b) knows or reasonably suspects that the bird or carcase is infected with Avian Chlamydiosis,

must give notice of this knowledge or suspicion to the Secretary of State as soon as practicable.

(2) This article applies only in relation to birds of the psittacines order.]

Textual Amendments

F5 Arts. 3A, 3B inserted (21.4.2021) by The Specified Diseases (Notification and Control) (Amendment, etc.) (England) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/443), arts. 1(1), 5(3)

Notification procedures and precautions to be taken where the presence of a designated disease is suspected E+W+S

4.—(1) A person who has in his possession or under his charge any bird or carcase having, or suspected of having, a designated disease shall—

(a) immediately inform the [F6 Secretary of State], and

(b) take all reasonable steps to ensure that the restrictions and requirements set out in Part I of Schedule 1 to this Order are complied with.

(2) A person who examines or inspects any bird or carcase or who analyses any sample taken from any bird or carcase, and who suspects the presence of a designated disease in the bird, carcase or sample shall immediately inform the [F7 Secretary of State].

Textual Amendments

F6 Words in art. 4(1)(a) substituted (1.11.2009) by The Animal Health (Divisional Veterinary Managers) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2713), arts. 1, 2(1), Sch. 1

F7 Words in art. 4(2) substituted (1.11.2009) by The Animal Health (Divisional Veterinary Managers) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2713), arts. 1, 2(1), Sch. 1

Restrictions where a designated disease is suspected E+W+S

5.  If an inspector has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a designated disease exists or has existed on any premises (whether or not notification has been made under article 4), he shall serve a notice on the occupier or person in charge of the premises requiring him to comply with the restrictions and requirements contained in Part I of Schedule 1 to this Order.

Veterinary inquiry as to the existence of a designated disease E+W+S

6.—(1) In order to ascertain whether or not a designated disease exists or has existed on any premises, a veterinary inspector shall—

(a) enter the premises and carry out such inquiries, examinations and tests and take such samples (including live birds and carcases), as are necessary to ascertain whether disease exists or has existed there and, in particular, to establish—

(i) the length of time the disease has existed on the premises,

(ii) the possible origin of the disease on the premises,

(iii) which premises may have been exposed to contamination by the disease from the premises under enquiry, and

(iv) the extent to which a disease has been carried to or from the premises under enquiry; and may

(b) mark, or cause to be marked, for identification purposes any bird, carcase or other thing in relation to which any of the powers under (a) above have been exercised.

(2) Collection of samples and laboratory testing shall be carried out (in relation to avian influenza) in accordance with [F8 Article 50 of Council Directive 2005/94/EC] and (in relation to Newcastle disease and paramyxovirus in pigeons), with Annex III of Council Directive 92/66/EEC.

(3) The occupier or person in charge of the premises or any person in his employment shall provide such reasonable assistance to a veterinary inspector as he may require for the exercise of his powers under paragraphs (1) and (2) above.

Textual Amendments

F8 Words in art. 6(2) substituted (1.6.2018) by The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/575), regs. 1(2), 32(3)

Restrictions where birds are suspected of having been exposed to the risk of a designated or other disease E+W+S

7.—(1) If a veterinary inspector suspects that poultry on any premises may have been exposed to the risk of a designated disease, he shall serve a notice on the occupier or person in charge of the premises in accordance with this article.

(2) A veterinary inspector may serve a notice on the occupier or person in charge of any premises in accordance with this article—

(a) if he suspects that poultry on those premises may have been exposed to the risk of any other disease, or

(b) if he suspects that any bird on those premises may have been exposed to the risk of any disease (including a designated disease).

(3) In this article, exposure to the risk of a designated disease or to another disease means exposure, either directly or indirectly, as a result of the movement of persons, animals or vehicles or in any other way.

(4) On service of a notice under this article, a veterinary inspector may enter premises which are the subject of such notice and may—

(a) take such measures as he considers necessary to establish whether there are reasonable grounds for suspicion of disease, including inspecting records, carrying out inquiries, examinations and tests and taking samples (including live birds and carcases); and

(b) count the birds and monitor their movements.

(5) On service of a notice under this article, no person shall move any bird or any thing liable to transmit disease from the premises except under the authority of a licence granted by a veterinary inspector.

(6) A veterinary inspector may limit the measures provided for in this article to a part of the premises and to the birds contained there, provided that the birds there have been housed, kept and fed completely separately by separate staff.

Measures where a designated disease is confirmed E+W+S

8.—(1) Upon confirmation by the Chief Veterinary Officer or by a person authorised by him of the presence of a designated disease on premises, a veterinary inspector—

(a) in the case of poultry shall, and

(b) in the case of other captive birds or racing pigeons, may

by notice served on the occupier or person in charge of the premises, impose, in addition to the restrictions and requirements contained in Part I of Schedule 1 to this Order, the restrictions and requirements contained in Part II of Schedule 1.

(2) A veterinary inspector may also serve such a notice on the occupier or person in charge of suspect premises.

(3) In this article, suspect premises means premises containing poultry, other captive birds or racing pigeons which may, in the opinion of the veterinary inspector, have been exposed to the risk of a designated disease because of the location or configuration of those premises or their contact with premises (in England or elsewhere) where the presence of a designated disease has been confirmed.

Duties of occupiers and persons in charge of premises served with notices E+W+S

9.—(1) A person served with a notice under this Order shall—

(a) ensure that the notice is complied with unless he is authorised to do otherwise by a licence issued by a veterinary inspector; and

(b) provide such reasonable assistance as the veterinary inspector may require for the purpose of exercising his powers under articles 5, 7 and 8.

(2) If any person fails to comply with any restriction or requirement imposed by a notice served under this Order, an inspector or other officer of the Secretary of State or an inspector of the local authority may—

(a) seize or cause to be seized anything which has been moved in contravention of the notice and detain it at such place as he shall consider appropriate until the notice is withdrawn; or

(b) take such other action as may be necessary so as to ensure that any restriction or requirement imposed by the notice is complied with or carried out.

(3) Any action taken under paragraph (2) shall be without prejudice to any proceedings for an offence arising out of contravention of a notice served under this Order.

(4) A person failing to comply with a notice served under this Order shall be liable for any costs incurred under paragraph (2) above.

Declaration of infected area E+W+S

10.—(1) Upon confirmation by the Chief Veterinary Officer or by a person authorised by him of the presence in any area in England or elsewhere of a designated disease in poultry, the Secretary of State shall F9 ... declare the part of that area which is in England to be an infected area.

(2) Upon the presence in any area in England or elsewhere of a designated disease in captive birds other than poultry or in racing pigeons being confirmed by the Chief Veterinary Officer or by a person authorised by him and upon the Secretary of State being satisfied that the presence of that disease in such birds constitutes a serious risk to poultry, the Secretary of State may F10 ... declare the part of that area which is in England to be an infected area.

(3) An area shall remain an infected area until such date as may be stated in the [F11 declaration], or, if none, until the [F11 declaration] is revoked.

(4) Any premises which are partly inside and partly outside an infected area shall be deemed to be wholly inside that area.

(5) A [F12 declaration] may apply to all birds or to designated species.

(6) A [F13 declaration] shall provide for the division of the infected area into protection and surveillance zones, the protection zone being based on a minimum radius of three kilometres, itself contained in a surveillance zone based on a minimum radius of ten kilometres, based on the centre of premises where disease has been confirmed, or such lesser radia as the Secretary of State may declare.

(7) The provisions of Schedule 2 shall apply in an area declared an infected area except to the extent that they are varied or excepted by the [F14 declaration] or to the extent that anything which would otherwise be a breach of this Order is authorised by a licence issued by a veterinary inspector.

Textual Amendments

F9 Words in art. 10(1) omitted (21.4.2021) by virtue of The Specified Diseases (Notification and Control) (Amendment, etc.) (England) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/443), arts. 1(1), 5(4)(a)

F10 Words in art. 10(2) omitted (21.4.2021) by virtue of The Specified Diseases (Notification and Control) (Amendment, etc.) (England) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/443), arts. 1(1), 5(4)(a)

F11 Word in art. 10(3) substituted (21.4.2021) by The Specified Diseases (Notification and Control) (Amendment, etc.) (England) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/443), arts. 1(1), 5(4)(b)

F12 Word in art. 10(5) substituted (21.4.2021) by The Specified Diseases (Notification and Control) (Amendment, etc.) (England) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/443), arts. 1(1), 5(4)(c)

F13 Word in art. 10(6) substituted (21.4.2021) by The Specified Diseases (Notification and Control) (Amendment, etc.) (England) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/443), arts. 1(1), 5(4)(c)

F14 Word in art. 10(7) substituted (21.4.2021) by The Specified Diseases (Notification and Control) (Amendment, etc.) (England) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/443), arts. 1(1), 5(4)(d)

Vaccination areas E+W+S

11.  Upon an Order being made under article 10(1) above, the Secretary of State may, by notice published in such manner as she thinks fit, require the vaccination of any species of poultry against a designated disease in such territorial area and for such period as she thinks fit and it shall be the duty of every owner and every person in charge of poultry in that area to comply with that notice.

Racing pigeons E+W+S

12.—(1) An organiser of a show or race which takes place wholly or partly in England shall ensure that all racing pigeons entered for the race or show have been vaccinated against paramyxovirus 1 in pigeons.

(2) Every person who owns or keeps racing pigeons shall keep a record of every race or show for which he enters his pigeons.

Disinfection E+W+S

13.—(1) The person in charge of premises on which poultry or racing pigeons are or have been exposed for sale or exhibited shall thoroughly cleanse and disinfect those premises, their fittings and any receptacle used for the exposure or exhibition of such birds as soon as practicable after use and in any event before they are used again.

(2) An inspector may, by notice in writing served on the person in charge of any premises or vehicle on or in which any birds are or have been, require the person on whom the notice is served to cleanse and disinfect the premises or vehicle and any fittings or receptacle in such manner as he requires and prohibit the movement into the premises or vehicle of birds until the cleansing and disinfection has been completed to the satisfaction of the inspector.

(3) Without prejudice to the bringing of proceedings under the Animal Health Act 1981, where a notice under this article is not complied with, any person authorised by the Secretary of State or the local authority may enter the premises or vehicle to which the notice relates and carry out the work of cleansing and disinfection required and the cost of such work shall be recoverable from the person on whom the notice was served.

(4) For the purposes of this Order “cleansing” includes the disposal of all litter, droppings and other matter in a manner which does not present a risk of the spread of disease.

Records E+W+S

14.—(1) Every person who owns or keeps any flock of poultry consisting of at least 250 birds of any species on premises shall keep a record in respect of poultry entering or leaving those premises.

(2) Every person who is engaged in the transport or marketing of any poultry or eggs (including any slaughterer or auctioneer) shall keep a record in respect of all poultry and eggs transported or marketed by him.

(3) The record referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) above shall include in respect of the relevant class of poultry and their eggs—

(a) the date and place they were obtained;

(b) their species and description;

(c) the name and address of the person from whom they were obtained;

(d) the date they left the premises;

(e) their destination on leaving the premises (if known);

(f) the purpose for which they left the premises; and

(g) the name and address of the person to whom they were transferred.

(4) A person who is required by this Order to keep a record shall retain it for at least twelve months from the date of the recorded transportation or marketing.

(5) A person who keeps any record required under this article shall at all reasonable times produce it on demand to an inspector and shall provide him with copies if so required.

(6) If a person keeps the record in electronic form, he shall provide printed copies of the record or parts of the record as an inspector requires.

Licences E+W+S

15.  A person moving anything under the authority of a licence issued under this Order shall—

(a) keep the licence with him at all times during the licensed movement;

(b) on demand made by an inspector or other officer of the Secretary of State or by an inspector of local authority, produce the licence and allow a copy or extract to be taken, and

(c) on such demand, furnish his name and address.

General powers of inspectors E+W+S

16.  A veterinary inspector who enters any premises under this Order may take with him for any purpose relating to the execution and enforcement of this Order such persons and such things as he considers necessary.

Enforcement E+W+S

17.  The provisions of this Order shall be executed and enforced by the local authority.

Revocations and amendments E+W+S

18.  The Diseases of Poultry Order 1994(1) and the Diseases of Poultry (Amendment) Order 1997(2) are revoked insofar as they apply to England.

Elliot Morley

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State,

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs