SECTION 2U.K.[F1AREAS FREE OF NON-EXOTIC DISEASES]

[F2Article 2aU.K.Non-exotic disease-free status for a constituent GB territory

1.The appropriate authority for a constituent GB territory may declare that territory free of one or more of the non-exotic diseases listed in Annex 1A to Regulation 1251/2008 if—

(a)the conditions in paragraph 2 and, where applicable, paragraph 3 are met; and

(b)the requirements for surveillance, buffer zones, sampling and diagnostic methods set out in Decision (EU) 2015/1554 have been met.

2.The first condition is that—

(a)none of the species susceptible to the disease in question are present in the constituent GB territory;

(b)the pathogen is known not to be able to survive in the constituent GB territory and its water source; or

(c)the conditions in Part 1 of Annex 5 to Directive 2006/88/EC are met.

3.Where adjoining constituent GB territories or water catchment areas shared with a neighbouring constituent GB territory are not declared disease-free, the second condition is that appropriate buffer zones have been established to protect the disease-free territory from passive introduction of the disease.

Article 2bU.K.Non-exotic disease-free status for a zone or compartment

1.The appropriate authority may declare a zone or compartment free of one or more of the non-exotic diseases listed in Annex 1A to Regulation 1251/2008 if—

(a)the condition in paragraph 2 is met; and

(b)the requirements for surveillance, buffer zones, sampling and diagnostic methods set out in Decision (EU) 2015/1554 have been met.

2.The first condition is that—

(a)none of the species susceptible to the disease in question are present in the zone or compartment;

(b)the pathogen is known not to be able to survive in the zone or compartment and, where relevant, its water source; or

(c)the conditions in Part 2 of Annex 5 to Directive 2006/88/EC are met.

Article 2cU.K.Maintenance of non-exotic disease-free status

Where a constituent GB territory is declared free from one or more non-exotic diseases listed in Annex 1A to Regulation 1251/2008 in accordance with Article 2a, the appropriate authority may discontinue targeted surveillance and maintain its disease-free status provided that the conditions conducive to clinical expression of the disease in question exist.

However, for disease-free zones or compartments in a constituent GB territory not declared disease-free, and in all cases where conditions are not conducive to clinical expression of the disease in question, targeted surveillance shall be continued in accordance with the methods provided for in Decision 2015/1554, but at a level commensurate with the degree of risk.

Article 2dU.K.Suspension and restoration of disease-free status

1.Where the appropriate authority has reason to believe that any of the conditions for maintaining disease-free status are no longer met in respect of their constituent GB territory, zone or compartment, the appropriate authority must apply the provisions of Part 4 of the Aquatic Animal Health Regulations.

2.Where the epizootic investigation required by Part 4 of the Aquatic Animal Health Regulations confirms that the conditions for maintaining disease-free status are still met, the disease-free status of the constituent GB territory, zone or compartment may be restored.

3.Where the epizootic investigation confirms a significant likelihood that infection has occurred, the disease-free status of the constituent GB territory, zone or compartment must be withdrawn. The requirements laid down in Annex 5 to Directive 2006/88/EC must be complied with before disease-free status is restored.]