(This note is not part of the Order.)
This Order implements for Northern Ireland Council Directive 2002/60/EC (O.J. No. L192, 20.7.2002, p. 27) revising Community measures for the control of African swine fever. It revokes and replaces the African Swine Fever Order (Northern Ireland) 1981.
The Order –
(a)requires any person who suspects that a pig or carcase is infected with African swine fever (the disease) to notify the appropriate Divisional Veterinary Officer and imposes restrictions on the movement of pigs or carcases or other things from the holding (Article 4);
(b)requires a veterinary inspector to serve a notice imposing the requirements set out in the notice to be complied with in circumstances where he suspects the disease may exist (Article 5);
(c)permits a veterinary inspector to serve a further notice imposing additional restrictions to those required by Article 5 (Article 6);
(d)where the presence of the disease is confirmed on a holding, requires a veterinary inspector to serve a notice on the occupier of the holding requiring him to ensure that the restrictions and requirements in Article 5 and any applicable requirements of Article 6 are carried out (Article 7);
(e)sets out the measures which must be taken where the disease is confirmed in a slaughterhouse, knacker’s yard or on a means of transport (Article 8);
(f)sets out the action that should be taken where it is suspected that the disease may have been transferred to or from the infected or suspected holding to or from another holding (Article 9);
(g)provides for the establishment of temporary control zones (Article 10);
(h)requires the Department, on confirmation of disease, to establish an infected area around an outbreak site of the disease and provides for this area to be split into a protection and a surveillance zone (Article 11 and Schedule 1);
(i)sets out requirements for cleansing and disinfection (Article 12);
(j)sets out the measures to be taken where the disease is suspected or confirmed in feral pigs (Articles 13 and 14 and Schedule 2);
(k)generally prohibits the use of the African swine fever vaccine (Article 15);
(l)gives power to an inspector to take action to ensure that the requirements of this Order are carried out where any person fails to comply with those restrictions and requirements (Article 16);
(m)requires the production of licences on demand made by an inspector or a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (Article 17);
(n)provides the specifics as to the exercise of certain of the powers of inspectors and veterinary inspectors (Article 18).