CHAPTER II

CONTROL OF OUTBREAKS OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE
SECTION 2

MEASURES IN CASE OF SUSPICION OF AN OUTBREAK OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE

Measures in case of suspicion of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease
Article 4
1
Member States shall ensure that the measures provided for in paragraphs 2 and 3 are carried out where a holding contains one or more animals suspected of being infected or contaminated.
2
The competent authority shall immediately activate official investigation arrangements under its supervision to confirm or rule out the presence of the foot-and-mouth disease and, in particular, have the necessary samples taken for the laboratory examinations required to confirm an outbreak in accordance with the definition of outbreak in Annex I.
3
The competent authority shall place the holding referred to in paragraph 1 under official surveillance as soon as the suspected infection is notified and shall in particular ensure that:
a
a census is made of all categories of animals on the holding and that, in respect of each category of animals of susceptible species, the number of animals that are already dead and the animals suspected of being infected or of being contaminated, is recorded;
b
the census as referred to in point (a) is kept up to date to take account of those animals of susceptible species born or dying during the period of suspicion. Such information is produced by the owner on request of the competent authority and is checked by that authority at each visit;
c
all stocks of milk, milk products, meat, meat products, carcasses, hides and skins, wool, semen, embryos, ova, slurry, manure as well as animal feed and litter on the holding are recorded and those records are maintained;
d
no animals of susceptible species enter or leave the holding, except in cases of holdings consisting of different epidemiological production units referred to in Article 18, and that all animals of susceptible species on the holding are kept in their living quarters or another place where they can be isolated;
e
appropriate means of disinfection are used at the entrances and exits of buildings or places housing animals of susceptible species and of the holding itself;
f
an epidemiological inquiry is carried out in accordance with Article 13;
g
to facilitate the epidemiological inquiry, the necessary samples shall be taken for laboratory testing in accordance with point 2.1.1.1 of Annex III.

Movements onto and off a holding in case of suspicion of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease
Article 5
1
Member States shall ensure that in addition to the measures provided for in Article 4, all movement onto and off a holding where there is a suspicion of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease is prohibited. That prohibition shall apply in particular to:
a
movement from the holding of meat or carcasses, meat products, milk or milk products, semen, ova or embryos of animals of susceptible species or of animal feed, utensils, objects or other substance, such as wool, hides and skins, bristles or animal waste, slurry, manure or anything liable to transmit foot-and-mouth disease virus;
b
movement of animals of species not susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease;
c
movement of persons onto or out of the holding;
d
movement of vehicles onto or out of the holding.
2
By way of derogation from the prohibition in point (a) of paragraph 1, the competent authority may in the event of difficulties in storing the milk on the holding either order that the milk shall be destroyed on the holding, or authorise the milk to be transported under veterinary supervision and only by means of transport suitably equipped to ensure no risk of spreading foot-and-mouth disease virus from the holding to the nearest possible place for disposal or treatment ensuring destruction of the foot-and-mouth disease virus.
3
By way of derogation from the prohibitions provided for in points (b), (c) and (d) of paragraph 1, the competent authority may authorise such movements onto and off the holding subject to all conditions necessary in order to avoid the spread of foot-and-mouth disease virus.

Extension of measures to other holdings
Article 6
1
The competent authority shall extend the measures provided for in Articles 4 and 5 to other holdings where their location, their construction and layout, or contacts with animals from the holding referred to in Article 4, give reason to suspect contamination.
2
The competent authority shall apply at least the measures provided for in Articles 4 and 5(1) to premises or means of transport referred to in Article 16 should the presence of animals of susceptible species give reason to suspect infection or contamination with the foot-and-mouth disease virus.

Temporary control zone
Article 7
1
The competent authority may establish a temporary control zone, where required by the epidemiological-situation, and in particular when that situation involves a high density of animals of susceptible species, intensive movement of animals or persons in contact with animals of susceptible species, delays in suspect status notifications, or insufficient information on the possible origin and ways of introduction of the foot-and-mouth disease virus.
2
At least the measures provided for in Article 4(2) and (3)(a), (b) and (d) and in Article 5(1) shall be applied to holdings in the temporary control zone where animals of susceptible species are kept.
3
The measures applied in the temporary control zone may be supplemented by a temporary ban on movements of all animals in a larger area or on the whole of the territory of a Member State. However, the ban on movement of animals of species not susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease shall not exceed 72 hours, unless justified by exceptional circumstances.

Preventive eradication programme
Article 8
1
The competent authority may, where epidemiological information or other evidence indicates, implement a preventive eradication programme, including preventive killing of animals of susceptible species likely to be contaminated and, if necessary, of animals from epidemiologically-linked production units or adjoining holdings.
2
In that event, the taking of samples and clinical examinations of animals of susceptible species shall be carried out at least in accordance with point 2.1.1.1 of Annex III.
3
The competent authority shall notify the Commission prior to the implementation of the measures provided for in this Article.

Maintenance of measures
Article 9
Member States shall not withdraw the measures provided for in Articles 4 to 7 until the suspicion of foot-and-mouth disease has been officially ruled out.