PART 2Confirmation or suspicion of H5N1

Confirmation or suspicion of H5N1 in wild birds8.

(1)

This article applies if the Chief Veterinary Officer (Scotland) advises the Scottish Ministers that—

(a)

the avian influenza virus of the H5 subtype is present in a wild bird or the carcase of a wild bird in Great Britain; and

(b)

either—

(i)

the Chief Veterinary (Scotland) suspects that the neuraminidase type may be N1; or

(ii)

the neuraminidase has been confirmed as N1.

(2)

If the wild bird or carcase was found in Scotland, the Scottish Ministers must declare an area to be a wild bird protection zone and an area to be a wild bird surveillance zone.

(3)

If the wild bird or carcase was found in England or Wales—

(a)

subject to sub-paragraphs (b) and (c), the Scottish Ministers may declare an area to be a wild bird protection zone or a wild bird surveillance zone;

(b)

the Scottish Ministers must declare an area to be a wild bird protection zone if the wild bird or carcase was found within three kilometres of the border with Scotland;

(c)

the Scottish Ministers must declare an area to be a wild bird surveillance zone if the wild bird or carcase was found within ten kilometres of the border with Scotland.

(4)

An area shall remain a wild bird protection zone until—

(a)

the Scottish Ministers amend the declaration so that the area within its boundaries becomes part of the wild bird surveillance zone; or

(b)

the Scottish Ministers revoke the declaration.

(5)

An area shall remain a wild bird surveillance zone until the Scottish Ministers revoke the declaration.