CHAPTER IV

HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA (HPAI)
SECTION 2

Protection, surveillance and further restricted zones

Measures to be applied both in the protection and in the surveillance zones
Article 17
1
The competent authority shall ensure that the following measures are applied within the protection and surveillance zones:
a
arrangements are put in place which permit the tracing of anything likely to spread the avian influenza virus including poultry, other captive birds, meat, eggs, carcases, feed, litter, people who have been in contact with the infected poultry or other captive birds or vehicles with a link to the poultry industry;
b
owners are to provide the competent authority, on request, with any relevant information concerning the poultry or other captive birds and eggs entering or leaving the holding.
2
The competent authority shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that all persons in the protection and surveillance zones affected by the restrictions concerned are fully aware of the restrictions in place.
That information may be conveyed through warning notices, media resources such as the press and television or any other appropriate means.
3
The competent authority may, where epidemiological information or other evidence indicates, implement a preventive eradication programme, including preventive slaughtering or killing of poultry or other captive birds, in holdings and areas at risk.
4
Member States applying the measures provided for in paragraph 3 shall immediately inform the Commission thereof, and the Commission shall review the situation with the Member States concerned and in the Committee as soon as possible.