CHAPTER II

CONTROL OF OUTBREAKS OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE
SECTION 5

HOLDINGS CONSISTING OF DIFFERENT EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PRODUCTION UNITS AND CONTACT HOLDINGS

Holdings consisting of different epidemiological production units
Article 18
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.

Contact holdings
Article 19
1
Holdings shall be recognised as contact holdings where the official veterinarian finds, or considers on the basis of confirmed data, that the foot-and-mouth disease virus may have been introduced as a result of the movement of persons, animals, products of animal origin, vehicles or in any other way either from other holdings onto a holding referred to in Articles 4(1) or 10(1) or from a holding referred to in Articles 4(1) or 10(1) to other holdings.
2
Contact holdings shall be subject to the measures provided for in Articles 4(3) and 5 and these measures shall be maintained until the suspected presence of foot-and-mouth disease virus on these contact holdings has been officially ruled out in accordance with the definition in Annex I and the survey requirements provided for in point 2.1.1.1 of Annex III.
3
The competent authority shall prohibit the removal of all animals from contact holdings during a period corresponding to the incubation period specified for the species concerned in Article 2(h). However, the competent authority may, by way of derogation from Article 4(3)(d), authorise the transport of animals of susceptible species under official supervision directly to the closest possible designated slaughterhouse for emergency slaughter.
Prior to granting such derogation, the official veterinarian shall at least carry out the clinical examinations provided for in point 1 of Annex III.
4
Where the competent authority considers that the epidemiological situation permits, it may limit the recognition as a contact holding provided for in paragraph 1, to one identified epidemiological production unit of the holding and to the animals contained therein, provided that the epidemiological production unit complies with Article 18.
5
Where an epidemiological link between an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and premises or means of transportation referred to in Articles 15 and 16 respectively cannot be excluded, Member States shall ensure that the measures provided for in Article 4(2) and (3) and in Article 5 shall apply to such premises or means of transportation. The competent authority may decide to apply the measures provided for in Article 8.

Coordination of measures
Article 20
The Commission may review the situation regarding the holdings referred to in Articles 18 and 19 in the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health with a view to the adoption, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 89(3), of the necessary measures to ensure coordination of the measures implemented by the Member States pursuant to Articles 18 and 19.