Council Directive 2003/85/ECShow full title

Article 18 U.K. Holdings consisting of different epidemiological production units

1. In the case of holdings which consist of two or more separate production units, the competent authority may, in exceptional cases and after considering the risks, derogate from Article 10(1)(a) as regards production units of such holdings not affected by foot-and-mouth disease.

2. The derogation provided for in paragraph 1 shall only be granted after the official veterinarian has confirmed at the time of the official investigation referred to in Article 4(2), that the following conditions to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease virus between the production units referred to in paragraph 1, have been in place for at least two incubation periods prior to the date the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was identified on the holding:

(a) the structure, including the administration, and size of the premises allow a complete separation of housing and keeping for the distinct herds of animals of susceptible species, including separate air space;

(b) the operations on the different production units, and in particular stable and pasture management, feeding, removal of dung or manure are completely separated and carried out by different personnel;

(c) the machinery, working animals of species not susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease, equipment, installations, instruments and disinfection facilities used in the production units are completely separate.

3. In relation to milk, a derogation from Article 10(1)(d) may be granted to a holding producing milk provided that:

(a) such holding complies with the conditions set out in paragraph 2, and

(b) milking in each unit is carried out separately, and

(c) depending on the intended use, the milk is subject to at least one of the treatments described in Part A or Part B of Annex IX.

4. Where a derogation is granted in accordance with paragraph 1, Member States shall lay down in advance detailed rules for applying such derogation. The Member States shall notify the Commission of the derogation and provide details of the measures taken.