The Diseases of Swine Regulations 2014

PART 5 Suspicion and confirmation of disease in feral pigs

Measures on suspicion of disease in feral pigs

20.—(1) Where it is suspected that a feral pig is infected with disease—

(a) a veterinary inspector must take all reasonable steps to establish whether or not that suspicion is correct; and

(b) the appropriate authority must make available information regarding the suspicion to keepers and to hunters believed to be operating in the area exposed to the risk of spread of disease.

(2) Where it is suspected that a feral pig is infected with disease a veterinary inspector must—

(a) carry out investigations of any feral pigs shot or found dead in the area believed to be exposed to the risk of spread of disease; and

(b) produce a report that assesses the disease situation in feral pigs.

(3) Following the suspicion of disease in a feral pig the appropriate authority may declare a feral pig investigation zone and apply some or all of the Schedule 2 measures.

Measures on confirmation of disease in feral pigs

21.—(1) Where the Chief Veterinary Officer concludes that African swine fever or classical swine fever is present in a feral pig, the appropriate authority must declare a feral pig control zone, and all the measures in Schedule 2 apply within that zone.

(2) Where the Chief Veterinary Officer concludes that swine vesicular disease is present in a feral pig, the appropriate authority may declare a feral pig control zone, and may apply some or all of the Schedule 2 measures.

(3) Meat from a feral pig hunted in any feral pig control zone must not be placed on the market by any person unless the carcase is tested negative for disease in accordance with the relevant Diagnostic Manual and a veterinary inspector considers there is no risk of the spread of disease.

Emergency vaccination of feral pigs against classical swine fever

22.—(1) Where the Chief Veterinary Officer concludes that classical swine fever is present in a feral pig, and the epidemiological data available suggest that the disease threatens to spread, the appropriate authority may—

(a) introduce emergency vaccination of feral pigs in a specified area; and

(b) impose such conditions and restrictions in the specified area as the appropriate authority believes are necessary in order to enhance the effectiveness of the vaccination campaign.

(2) An occupier must comply with any such conditions and restrictions.