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STATUTORY RULES OF NORTHERN IRELAND


2007 No. 207

ANIMALS

ANIMAL HEALTH

The Avian Influenza (H5N1 in Poultry) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007

  Made 23rd March 2007 
  Coming into operation 24th March 2007 


CONTENTS

1. Citation and commencement
2. Interpretation
3. Licences, notices, designations and declarations
4. Restrictions relating to things moved from Great Britain
5. Areas A and B
6. Establishment of zones on suspicion of avian influenza of subtype H5N1 in poultry
7. Location and size of zones declared on suspicion of avian influenza of subtype H5N1 in poultry
8. Establishment of a restricted zone on confirmation of avian influenza of subtype H5N1 in poultry
9. Ending of restrictions
10. Restrictions on the movement of poultry and other captive birds
11. Restrictions on the movement of hatching eggs
12. Restrictions on the movement of wild game bird products
13. Requirements for the marking of wild game bird meat and meat products
14. Duties on the occupier of premises to which the carcases of wild game birds are sent
15. Restrictions on the movement of bird by-products
16. Ban on bird gatherings
17. Cleansing and disinfection
18. Record keeping
19. Change of occupation of premises under restriction
20. Powers of inspectors
21. Powers of inspectors in case of default
22. Duty to provide reasonable assistance
23. General duties relating to execution of these Regulations
24. Enforcement, offences and proceedings

  SCHEDULE— MARKING OF MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS FROM WILD GAME BIRDS ORIGINATING IN A PROTECTION, SURVEILLANCE OR RESTRICTED ZONE

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, being designated[
1] for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972[2] in relation to the common agricultural policy of the European Community, makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred on it by that section.

Citation and commencement
     1. These Regulations may be cited as the Avian Influenza (H5N1 in Poultry) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and come into operation on 24th March 2007.

Interpretation
    
2. —(1) In these Regulations—

    (2) Any premises in Great Britain, a member State or a third country which is designated by the competent authority for those premises for purposes corresponding to a designation under these Regulations, are deemed to be designated for the purposes of these Regulations.

    (3) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954[9] shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Licences, notices, designations and declarations
     3. —(1) A licence granted under these Regulations—

    (2) The Department must not grant a movement licence under regulations 10, 11, 12 or 15 unless it has taken account of the relevant risk assessment.

    (3) In paragraph (2), "the relevant risk assessment" means the Department's assessment of the risk that the particular movement or a movement of that type would spread avian influenza.

    (4) A notice served under these Regulations—

    (5) The Department may, for the purposes of these Regulations designate any premises or part of any premises and such a designation—

    (6) A declaration of a zone—

    (7) Unless the Department directs otherwise by notice served on the occupier of the premises, the following premises are deemed to be designated—

    (8) Premises in England, Scotland or Wales designated respectively by the English Ministers, Scottish Ministers or the National Assembly for the same purposes as they may be designated under these Regulations are deemed to be designated by the Department for the purposes of these Regulations.

    (9) A specific licence shall apply to the applicant therefor.

    (10) A person moving anything under the authority of a specific licence must—

    (11) A general licence shall apply to all persons or movements, or any class of persons or movements specified therein.

    (12) A person moving anything under the authority of a general licence must—

    (13) The Department must ensure that the extent of any zone declared under these Regulations, the nature of the restrictions and requirements applicable within it and the dates of its declaration and withdrawal are publicised in such manner as the Department considers necessary.

Restrictions relating to things moved from Great Britain
     4. —(1) Measures in and under these Regulations applying in respect of any thing moved from an H5N1 controlled zone apply in respect of any such thing moved from an equivalent zone in Great Britain.

    (2) Paragraph (1) only applies if the person to whom the measure applies is aware or should reasonably have been aware that the thing moved is from such an equivalent zone.

Areas A and B
    
5. —(1) The following are an area A for the purposes of the Commission Decision—

    (2) The following are an area B for the purposes of the Commission Decision—

Establishment of zones on suspicion of avian influenza of subtype H5N1 in poultry
    
6. —(1) This regulation applies if the Department is of the opinion that—

    (2) The Department must declare two zones under regulation 13 of the Avian Influenza Regulations if the poultry or carcase in which highly pathogenic avian influenza of subtype H5N1 is suspected was found—

    (3) The zones referred to in paragraph (2) are—

    (4) In a declaration made in accordance with paragraph (2), the Department must specify which of the two zones declared is the first zone and which the second zone.

    (5) Premises which are partly in a first zone declared in accordance with paragraph (2) and partly in a second zone so declared are deemed to be wholly in the first zone.

    (6) Nothing in paragraph (2) shall deem any part of a premises outside Northern Ireland to be within a zone.

Location and size of zones declared on suspicion of avian influenza of subtype H5N1 in poultry
    
7. —(1) One of the zones declared in accordance with regulation 6(2) ("the first zone") must—

    (2) The other zone declared in accordance with regulation 6(2) ("the second zone") must be in such location and of such size as the Department considers necessary to minimise the risk of the spread of avian influenza.

    (3) The Department must consider the following when deciding the extent of the first zone and the second zone—

    (4) "Outbreak point" means that part of any premises where any poultry or poultry carcase referred to in regulation 6(1) has been found which the Department deems to be the centre of the suspected outbreak.

    (5) If a zone declared in accordance with paragraphs (1) or (2) would if these Regulations applied include land in the Republic of Ireland, the Department must collaborate to establish with the competent authority there a zone of the appropriate location and size.

Establishment of a restricted zone on confirmation of avian influenza of subtype H5N1 in poultry
    
8. —(1) This regulation applies if the Department confirms that—

    (2) The Department must declare a restricted zone under regulation 28(5) of the Avian Influenza Regulations if the poultry or carcase in which highly pathogenic avian influenza of subtype H5N1 is confirmed was found—

Ending of restrictions
    
9. If the Department confirms that the neuraminidase virus type is not N1 it must—

imposed under these Regulations.

Restrictions on the movement of poultry and other captive birds
    
10. —(1) A person shall not move any poultry or other captive bird from a restricted zone to an unrestricted area, other member State or third country except under the authority of and in accordance with the conditions of a licence granted by the Department.

    (2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to the movement of—

    (3) The Department may licence the following movements—

    (4) The Department must ensure that veterinary surveillance is carried out at any premises to which day-old chicks are moved under paragraph (3)(d) for such period as it considers necessary.

    (5) Paragraph (4) does not apply if the day-old chicks so moved were hatched—

    (6) The occupier of premises to which poultry are moved under paragraph (3)(b) must ensure that no poultry are moved off the premises for at least 21 days from the date the poultry so moved arrived there.

    (7) Vehicles used to transport poultry and day-old chicks in paragraph (3) must be cleansed and disinfected immediately before and after use.

    (8) In this regulation—

Restrictions on the movement of hatching eggs
    
11. —(1) A person shall not move hatching eggs from a restricted zone to an unrestricted area, in an other member State or third country except under the authority of and in accordance with the conditions of a licence granted by the Department.

    (2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a movement to an approved body.

    (3) The Department may licence the movement of hatching eggs from any premises which, on the day of collection, are in a restricted zone, to—

    (4) The Department may also licence the movement of SPF-eggs to the premises referred to in paragraph (3)(d) and (e).

    (5) The occupier of an undesignated hatchery to which hatching eggs are moved in accordance with paragraph (3)(b) must—

    (6) A person moving hatching eggs under paragraph (2) or (3) must ensure that they are kept separate from eggs from outside the restricted zone.

    (7) Hatching eggs which come into contact with hatching eggs from within a restricted zone are subject to the provisions in paragraphs (1) to (5) applying to such eggs.

    (8) In this regulation—

Restrictions on the movement of wild game bird products
    
12. —(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a person shall not move any wild game bird product intended for human consumption from a protection, surveillance or restricted zone to an unrestricted area, in an other member State or third country.

    (2) The Department may licence the following movements—

    (3) A person moving a wild game bird product referred to in paragraph (2)(d) must ensure that it does not come into contact with any other such product.

    (4) Any wild game bird product which comes into contact with a wild game bird product moved under paragraph (2)(d) is subject to the measures applicable to such products under paragraphs (2)(d) and (3).

    (5) In this regulation—

Requirements for the marking of wild game bird meat and meat products
     13. —(1) Fresh meat and meat products referred to in regulation 12(2)(d) must be marked—

    (2) The national mark referred to in paragraph (1)(b) must—

    (3) Any person other than the final consumer of meat or of a meat product, marked in accordance with this regulation, may not deface, obliterate or remove that mark, unless authorised by the Department.

Duties on the occupier of premises to which the carcases of wild game birds are sent
     14. The occupier of premises to which the carcase of any wild game bird from a protection, surveillance or restricted zone is sent must ensure that meat from that bird is obtained, cut, transported and stored separately from other meat.

Restrictions on the movement of bird by-products
    
15. —(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a person shall not move any bird by-product derived wholly or partially from any bird in a protection, surveillance or restricted zone—

    (2) The Department may licence the movement of any of the following bird by-products—

    (3) A person shall not move any bird by-product referred to in paragraph (2)(a) to (i) unless it has been processed at a processing plant in accordance with Annex V to Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002.

    (4) By-products from poultry, referred to in paragraphs (2)(p) and (q), must be accompanied by a commercial document in accordance with Chapter X of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002.

    (5) Point 6.1 of the commercial document accompanying by-products referred to in paragraph (2)(p) must state that they have been treated with a steam current or with another method to ensure that no virus causing avian influenza remains.

    (6) Paragraph (4) does not apply to—

Ban on bird gatherings
    
16. —(1) A person shall not arrange any fair, market, show, exhibition or other gathering involving the collecting together of poultry or other captive birds in a restricted zone.

    (2) A person shall not bring any poultry or other captive bird to such a gathering in such a zone.

Cleansing and disinfection
    
17. —(1) Any person who is required to carry out disinfection at any premises or of any thing must—

    (2) Where cleansing and disinfection of vehicles is required in pursuance of these Regulations at any premises, the occupier of those premises must provide adequate facilities and proper equipment and materials for that cleansing and disinfection.

Record keeping
     18. —(1) A person moving poultry, other captive birds or their products under a licence granted under these Regulations must—

    (2) A person who is required to make any other record must retain it for at least twelve months from the date the record is made.

    (3) A person required to produce a record must do so without delay.

    (4) On production of the record, an inspector may—

Change of occupation of premises under restriction
    
19. —(1) This regulation applies if the keeper of any poultry, other captive bird or mammal is unable to move it from premises on the termination of his right of occupation because of a movement restriction imposed under these Regulations and continues to apply for seven days after any such restriction has been removed.

    (2) The person entitled to occupation of the premises following that termination must—

    (3) If the keeper is unable or unwilling to feed or tend the poultry, other captive bird or mammal, the person entitled to occupation of the premises must take such steps as are necessary to ensure it is properly fed and tended.

    (4) The keeper is liable to pay the reasonable costs incurred under this regulation by any person feeding or tending it, or providing facilities for feeding, tending or otherwise using it.

Powers of inspectors
    
20. —(1) An inspector may mark any bird or other thing for identification purposes.

    (2) An inspector may require—

    (3) An inspector may cleanse and disinfect any premises.

    (4) An inspector may require—

Powers of inspectors in case of default
    
21. —(1) If any person fails to comply with a requirement under these Regulations, an inspector may take such steps he considers necessary to ensure the requirement is met, at the expense of that person.

    (2) An inspector's powers under paragraph (1) include powers—

Duty to provide reasonable assistance
    
22. —(1) The occupier of any premises from or to which he wishes any thing to be moved under licence under these Regulations must allow an inspector to enter those premises for the purposes of deciding whether or not such a licence should be granted or maintained.

    (2) The occupier must give all reasonable assistance to an inspector who visits the premises to examine the birds and to take samples.

General duties relating to execution of these Regulations
    
23. —(1) Any person required to give assistance or information to a person executing these Regulations must, unless he has reasonable cause, do so without delay.

    (2) A person shall not deface, obscure or remove any mark applied by an inspector under regulation 20(1).

    (3) A person shall not provide information which he knows to be false or misleading to a person executing these Regulations.

    (4) The costs incurred by any person in taking action required, or in refraining from taking action prohibited, under these Regulations must be met by that person unless the Department directs otherwise in writing.

    (5) A person to whom a requirement in or imposed by virtue of a licence, notice, designation, or declaration applies must comply with—

Enforcement, offences and proceedings
    
24. The following provisions of the 1981 Order shall apply as if these Regulations were an order made under the 1981 Order—



Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on


23rd March 2007.

L.S.


E. Redmond
A senior officer of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development


SCHEDULE
Regulation 13(1)(a)


MARKING OF MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS FROM WILD GAME BIRDS ORIGINATING IN A PROTECTION, SURVEILLANCE OR RESTRICTED ZONE


     1. The mark referred to in regulation 13(1)(a) must be—

     2. The mark must be of the following shape and size—






EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)


These Regulations transpose—

The Regulations supplement the general measures to control avian influenza set out in the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007 No. 68) ("the main Regulations"). Measures to control highly pathogenic avian influenza of subtype H5N1 in wild birds are set out in the Avian Influenza (H5N1 in Wild Birds) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 No. 208.

Regulation 5 specifies which zones declared under the main Regulations are zones A and B for the purposes of the Commission Decision.

Regulation 6 requires the Department to declare temporary control zones or temporary movement restriction zones under the main Regulations if highly pathogenic avian influenza of subtype H5N1 is suspected in poultry. Regulation 7 relates to the location and size of such zones. Regulation 8 requires the Department to declare a restricted zone under the main Regulations on confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza of subtype H5N1 in poultry.

The general measures which may be imposed on suspicion and confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza are set out in the main Regulations. Additional measures in regulations 10 to 15 of these Regulations restrict movements of the following:

Regulation 16 bans bird gatherings in restricted zones. Regulation 17 relates to cleansing and disinfection.

Regulation 18 requires the completion of movement records. Regulation 19 provides for the feeding and tending of animals or poultry which cannot be moved on termination of a right of occupation because of a restriction imposed by the Regulations.

Regulations 20 and 21 set out powers of inspectors. Regulations 22 to 24 contain measures relating to enforcement of the Regulations.

The Schedule sets out the mark to be applied to meat and meat products from wild game birds from protection, surveillance and restricted zones.

A breach of these Regulations is an offence under Article 52 of the Diseases of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.


Notes:

[1] S.I. 2000/2812back

[2] 1972 c. 68back

[3] O.J. No. L 268, 14.9.1992, p. 54, as last amended by Directive 2004/68/EC (OJ No L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 321) and corrected by O.J. No. L 226, 25.6.2004, p. 128back

[4] S.R. 2007 No. 68back

[5] O.J. No. L 164, 16.6.2006, p. 51 as last amended by O.J. No. L 53, 22.2.2007, p. 26back

[6] O.J. No. L 51, 20.2.2007, p22back

[7] S.I. 1981/1115 (N.I.22) as amended by S.I. 1984/702 (N.I.2) Article 17, S.I. 1994/1891 (N.I.6) Article 22back

[8] O.J. No. L 273, 10.10.2002, p 1 as last amended by O.J. L 379, 28.12.2006, p 98 and corrected by a corrigendum O.J. No. L 30, 3.2.2007, p 3back

[9] 1954 c. 33 (N.I.)back

[10] S.R. 2003 No. 495 as amended by S.R. 2006 No. 202back

[11] O.J. No. L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 55, as last amended by O.J. No. L 320, 18.11.2006, p. 1back

[12] O.J. No. L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 206, as last amended by O.J. No. L 320, 18.11.2006, p. 11back

[13] O.J. No. L 338, 22.12.2005, p. 83, as last amended by O.J. No. L 320, 18.11.2006, p. 47back

[14] S.R. & O. (N.I.) 1972 No 16 as amended by S.R. 1975 No. 69, S.R. 1995 No. 467 and S.R. 2006 No. 42back



ISBN 978 0 337 96970 6


 © Crown copyright 2007

Prepared 12 April 2007


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