CHAPTER IIIANIMAL HEALTH STATUS OF THIRD COUNTRIES, TERRITORIES, ZONES OR COMPARTMENTS OF ORIGIN WITH REGARD TO AVIAN INFLUENZA AND NEWCASTLE DISEASE

Article 8Avian influenza free third countries, territories, zones or compartments

1.

For the purposes of this Regulation, a third country, territory, zone or compartment from which commodities are imported into F1Great Britain shall be considered as free from avian influenza where:

(a)

avian influenza has not been present in the third country, territory, zone or compartment for a period of at least 12 months preceding the certification by the official veterinarian;

(b)

an avian influenza surveillance programme, in accordance with Article 10 has been carried out during a period of at least six months preceding the certification referred to in point (a) of this paragraph where required in the certificate.

2.

Where an outbreak of avian influenza occurs in a third country, territory, zone or compartment previously free of that disease, as referred to in paragraph 1, that third country, territory, zone or compartment shall again be considered as free from avian influenza provided the following conditions have been met:

(a)

in the case of HPAI, a stamping out policy has been implemented to control the disease;

(b)

in the case of LPAI, either a stamping out policy has been implemented or the poultry have been slaughtered to control the disease;

(c)

adequate cleansing and disinfection has been carried out on all previously infected establishments;

(d)

avian influenza surveillance has been carried out in accordance with Part II of Annex IV during a three-month period following completion of the cleansing and disinfection referred to in point (c) of this paragraph with negative results.