Council Directive 2009/158/ECShow full title

Article 8 U.K.

1. At the time of consignment, hatching eggs shall:

(a) come from flocks which:

(i)

have been held for more than six weeks in one or more Community establishments as referred to in Article 6(a)(i);

(ii)

if vaccinated, have been vaccinated in accordance with the vaccination conditions in Annex III;

(iii)

have either:

• undergone an animal health examination carried out by an official veterinarian or an authorised veterinarian during the 72 hours preceding consignment and, at the time of the examination, have shown no clinical sign or suspicion of contagious disease, or,

• had a monthly health inspection visit by an official veterinarian or an authorised veterinarian, the most recent visit having been within 31 days of consignment. If this option is chosen there shall also be an examination by the official veterinarian or authorised veterinarian of the records of the health status of the flock and an evaluation of its current health status as assessed by up-to-date information supplied by the person in charge of the flock during the 72 hours preceding consignment. In a case where records or other information give rise to suspicion of disease, the flocks shall have had an animal health examination by the official veterinarian or authorised veterinarian that has ruled out the possibility of contagious poultry disease;

(b) be marked in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 617/2008;

(c) have been disinfected in accordance with the instructions of the official veterinarian.

2. If contagious poultry diseases which may be transmitted through eggs develop in the flock which supplied the hatching eggs during the period of their incubation, the hatchery involved and the authority or authorities responsible for the hatchery and the flock of origin shall be notified.