PART 4Slaughterhouses
Imposition of initial controls at slaughterhouses14
1
This regulation applies—
a
where—
i
the Welsh Ministers have been notified under regulation 5(1) that it is suspected that a horse or carcase at a slaughterhouse is infected with African horse sickness virus, and
ii
a veterinary inspector considers that further investigation relating to the possible presence of African horse sickness virus is necessary; or
b
where for any other reason a veterinary inspector considers that further investigation relating to the possible presence of African horse sickness virus at a slaughterhouse is necessary.
2
Where paragraph (1)(a) applies, a veterinary inspector must inform (orally or otherwise) the person who gave the notification that further investigation is necessary, and the controls in paragraph (5) then apply.
3
A veterinary inspector must go to the slaughterhouse and examine the notified horse or carcase, and may examine any other horse or carcase there as the veterinary inspector considers appropriate.
4
Where paragraph (1)(b) applies, a veterinary inspector may by notice served on the person in charge of the slaughterhouse impose the controls in paragraph (5).
5
The controls are that the person in charge of the slaughterhouse must ensure that—
a
no horse or carcase is moved from the slaughterhouse,
b
any notified horse and any other horse from the same premises as the notified horse is not slaughtered unless authorised to do so by a veterinary inspector, and
c
if any notified horse or any horse from the same premises as a notified horse has already been, or is subsequently, slaughtered or has died, its carcase is specifically identified and retained at the slaughterhouse until a veterinary inspector has examined it, and taken samples if considered necessary.
Action following examination15
1
This regulation applies where a veterinary inspector has acted under regulation 14(3).
2
If a veterinary inspector is satisfied that African horse sickness virus does not exist in any horse or carcase at the slaughterhouse a veterinary inspector must confirm this (orally or otherwise) to the person in charge of the slaughterhouse.
3
If the presence of African horse sickness virus cannot be ruled out, a veterinary inspector—
a
b
may take samples and test them to establish the presence of that virus at the slaughterhouse11.
4
If the Chief Veterinary Officer is satisfied that tests carried out under this regulation demonstrate that African horse sickness virus is not present in the slaughterhouse a veterinary inspector must confirm this (orally or otherwise) to the person in charge of the slaughterhouse.
5
Paragraph (6) applies where the Chief Veterinary Officer is satisfied as a result of—
a
any test carried out under this regulation, or
b
any clinical signs in any horse at the slaughterhouse or any other premises where any horse at the slaughterhouse has recently been,
that African horse sickness virus is present in a horse or carcase at the slaughterhouse.
6
Where this paragraph applies, the Welsh Ministers must ensure that all carcases of infected horses are disposed of in such a way as to avoid the risk of spread of African horse sickness virus12.
7
Where confirmation is given under paragraph (2) or (4), or following the disposal of carcases under paragraph (6)—
a
any controls applicable under regulation 14(2) (and, where applicable, as varied under paragraph (3)(a)) cease to have effect,
b
any notice served under regulation 14(4) (and, where applicable, as varied under paragraph (3)(a)) is revoked.