PART 3

Suspicion and confirmation of African horse sickness

Measures following suspicion – premises other than contact premises
9
1
This article applies where premises, other than contact premises, are designated as suspect premises.
2
The veterinary inspector must take all reasonable steps to establish whether or not African horse sickness virus is present.
3
For the purposes of paragraph (2), the veterinary inspector may, if the Chief Veterinary Officer considers it necessary, take and have tested either or both—
a
samples from any horse or carcase that is, or has been, on the premises; and
b
environmental samples from the premises.
4
If the Chief Veterinary Officer is satisfied following the steps referred to in paragraph (2) that it is no longer appropriate for the premises to remain designated as suspect premises, the veterinary inspector must revoke the notice served under article 8(2).
5
Where that notice is revoked, the measures in the Schedule, except paragraph 1(4)(a), cease to have effect.
6
If the Chief Veterinary Officer is satisfied as a result of tests under this article that there are seropositive horses on the premises, the veterinary inspector must continue to monitor as appropriate horses on the premises and may take and have tested further samples.
7
Paragraph (8) applies where the Chief Veterinary Officer is satisfied as a result of any test carried out under this article or any clinical signs in any horse on the premises that African horse sickness virus is present in a horse or carcase or on the premises.
8
Where this paragraph applies, the veterinary inspector must serve a notice on the main occupier declaring the premises to be infected premises .
9
Where a notice has been served under paragraph (8), the measures in the Schedule continue to have effect.
10
A notice served under paragraph (8) may require the main occupier to erect and maintain such signs on the premises as may be required by the veterinary inspector.
11
If the Chief Veterinary Officer considers it necessary to reduce the risk of spread of African horse sickness virus, the notice served under paragraph (8) may require measures additional to those in the Schedule and paragraph (10).
See also the power of the Scottish Ministers under article 18 to declare a control zone, protection zone and surveillance zone.