Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/263Show full title

Article 4 Risk mitigation measures

1. Depending on the specific epidemiological situation on their territory and for the time needed, Member States shall take appropriate and practicable measures to reduce the risk of the transmission of HPAI viruses from wild birds to poultry in high risk areas.

2. The measures referred to in paragraph 1 shall be directed, in particular, at preventing wild birds, and in particular wild migratory water birds, from coming into direct or indirect contact with poultry, and in particular ducks and geese.

3. Member States shall prohibit the following in the high risk areas:

(a) the keeping of poultry in the open air;

(b) the use of outdoor water reservoirs for poultry;

(c) the provision of water to poultry from surface water reservoirs that can be accessed by wild birds;

(d) the storage of feed for poultry that is unprotected from wild birds or other animals.

4. As further risk mitigation measures, Member States shall prohibit:

(a) the gathering of poultry and other captive birds at markets, shows, exhibitions and cultural events;

(b) the use of decoy birds of the orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes (‘decoy birds’).

5. Member States shall regularly review the measures they have taken pursuant to paragraphs 1 to 4 in order to adjust and adapt them to take account of the epidemiological situation, including the risks posed by wild birds.