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The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Wales) (No 2) Order 2006

Type Welsh-Statutory-Instrument

Publication 2006-11-07

Last updated 2025-12-31

State In force

Jurisdiction Wales

Department King's Printer of Acts of Parliament

Source legislation.gov.uk

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Made: 7 November 2006

Coming into force: 13 November 2006

The National Assembly for Wales, in exercise of the powers conferred upon it by sections 1, 7(1), 7(2), 8(1), 11, 13, 15(5), 17(1), 23, 25, 28, 32(2), 35(1), 35(3), 38(1), 65A(3), 83(2), 87(2) and (5)(a) and 88(2) of the Animal Health Act 1981 , makes the following Order:

PART 1 — Introduction

Title, application and commencement

1

(1) The title of this Order is the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Wales) (No 2) Order 2006.

(2) This Order applies in relation to Wales and comes into force on 13th November 2006.

Interpretation

2

In this Order, unless the context otherwise requires—

“the Act” means the Animal Health Act 1981;

“appropriate minister” means—in relation to England, the Secretary of State;in relation to Wales, the Welsh Ministers;in relation to Scotland, the Scottish Ministers;

“avian influenza” means an infection of poultry or other captive birds caused by any influenza A virus of the subtypes H5 or H7 or with an intravenous pathogenicity index in six-week old chickens greater than 1.2;

“avian influenza prevention zone” means an avian influenza prevention zone declared under article 6(1)(a);

“avian influenza (restrictions on mammals) zone” means an avian influenza (restrictions on mammals) zone declared under article 61(3);

“avian influenza virus” means any highly pathogenic avian influenza virus or low pathogenic avian influenza virus;

“bird carcase” means the carcase of any bird and includes any part of a bird carcase;

“border control post” means a place designated by the competent authority for the performance of official controls under Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products;

“brood-and-move poultry” means poultry that have been, are being or are to be moved for the purposes of growing or fattening to premises other than those where they were reared;

“carcase” means any bird carcase or mammal carcase;

“the Chief Veterinary Officer” means the Chief Veterinary Officer appointed by the National Assembly;

“commercial poultry premises” means commercial premises where poultry are kept;

“commercial premises” means premises where any poultry or other captive birds are kept for commercial purposes;

“contact premises”—in Part 3, has the meaning given in article 26(2);in Part 6, has the meaning given in article 53(2);in Part 7, has the meaning given in article 61A(3); andin Part 8, has the meanings given in articles 26(2), 53(2) and 61A(3);

“controlled zone” means a protection zone, a surveillance zone, a restricted zone, a temporary movement restriction zone, a temporary control zone, a low pathogenic avian influenza restricted zone, an avian influenza prevention zone, or an avian influenza (restrictions on mammals) zone;

“day-old chicks” means all poultry less than 72 hours old which have not yet fed and muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) and their crosses less than 72 hours old, whether or not fed;

“designated” means designated by the National Assembly in accordance with article 71;

“diagnostic manual” means the diagnostic manual set out in the Annex to Commission Decision 2006/437/EC approving a Diagnostic Manual for avian influenza as provided for in Council Directive 2005/94/EC;

“egg processing plant” means an establishment for the manufacture of egg products, as referred to in Chapter II of Section X of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 ;

“food processing establishment” means any unit of a food business where any action that alters the initial product, including heating, smoking, curing, maturing, drying, marinating, extraction, extrusion or a combination of those processes takes place;

“fresh meat” means meat which has not undergone any preserving process other than chilling, freezing or quick-freezing, including meat which is vacuum wrapped or wrapped in a controlled atmosphere;

“highly pathogenic avian influenza” means an infection of poultry or other captive birds caused by a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus;

“highly pathogenic avian influenza virus” means—influenza A virus of the subtype H5 or H7 with genome sequences containing multiple basic amino acids at the cleavage site of the haemagglutinin gene similar to that observed for other highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, indicating that the haemagglutinin protein can be cleaved by a host ubiquitous protease, orinfluenza A virus with an intravenous pathogenicity index in six-week-old chickens greater than 1.2;

“infected premises” means—in Part 4, premises where the Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed that highly pathogenic avian influenza or highly pathogenic avian influenza virus exists;in Part 6, premises where the Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed that low pathogenic avian influenza or low pathogenic avian influenza virus exists; in Part 7 and in Schedule 10, premises where the Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed that influenza of avian origin exists; in Parts 8 and 9 and in Schedule 3, premises where the Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed that highly pathogenic avian influenza, highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, low pathogenic avian influenza or low pathogenic avian influenza virus exists;

“influenza of avian origin” means an infection of a mammal with avian influenza virus;

“keeper” means any person responsible for birds or animals, whether on a permanent or temporary basis, but does not include a person responsible for them solely because he or she is transporting them;

“kept mammal” means a mammal kept in captivity, in the possession of or under the charge of a person;

“local authority” means in relation to an area the county council or county borough council for that area;

“low pathogenic avian influenza” means an infection of poultry or other captive birds caused by a low pathogenic avian influenza virus ...;

“low pathogenic avian influenza restricted zone” means a low pathogenic avian influenza restricted zone declared under article 55;

“low pathogenic avian influenza virus” means an avian influenza virus of subtype H5 or H7 other than an avian influenza virus of subtype H5 or H7 which causes highly pathogenic avian influenza;

“mammal” means any mammal, except man;

“mammal carcase” means the carcase of any mammal and includes any part of a mammal carcase;

“meat product” means a processed product resulting from the processing of meat or from the further processing of such a processed product, so that the cut surface shows that the product no longer has the characteristics of fresh meat;

“National Assembly” means the National Assembly for Wales of Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ;

“non-commercial premises” means any premises where all poultry or other captive birds (including those kept as pets), their eggs or other poultry products are kept by their keeper for personal consumption, or for use, exclusively within or for the purposes of the same household;

“occupier” means the person in charge of premises;

“other captive bird” means a bird kept in captivity which is not poultry and includes a pet bird and a bird kept for shows, races, exhibitions, competitions, breeding or for sale;

“poultry” means a bird reared or kept in captivity for any of the following purposes—the production of meat or eggs for consumption or other poultry products;restocking supplies of game;any breeding programme for the production of such categories of birds or products specified in (i) and (ii);but does not include any birds that are kept for the purposes of a single household, where the birds and their keeper have no direct or indirect contact with other poultry or poultry facilities, and the birds and products of the birds are used exclusively within, or for the purposes of the same household;

“poultry product” means anything originating or made (whether in whole or in part) from any living or dead poultry, and includes the carcase of any poultry;

“premises” includes any land, building or other place;

“primary outbreak” means an outbreak which is not epidemiologically linked with a previous outbreak in Wales;

“processed fresh meat” means any of the following—minced meat, being boned meat which has been minced into fragments and contains less than 1% salt;a meat preparation, being fresh meat, including meat that has been reduced to fragments, which has had foodstuffs, seasonings or additives added to it or which has undergone processes insufficient to modify the internal muscle fibre structure of the meat and thus eliminate the characteristics of fresh meat;meat mechanically removed from flesh-bearing bones using means resulting in the loss or modification of the muscle fibre structure;

“protection zone” means a protection zone declared under article 28(1) to (4);

“racing pigeon” means any pigeon transported or intended for transport from its pigeon house so that it may be released and freely fly back there or to another destination;

“ready-to-lay poultry” means birds, which are intended for use as productive egg layers, and for these purposes, includes both female and male birds;

“regulated place” means a slaughterhouse or border control post;

“restricted zone” means a restricted zone declared under article 28(5);

“slaughterhouse” means an establishment used for slaughtering poultry, the meat of which is intended for human consumption;

“special category premises” has the meaning given in article 22(3);

“surveillance zone” means a surveillance zone declared under article 28 (1) to (4);

“suspect premises” means premises subject to restrictions under article 9 or article 10;

“temporary control zone” means a temporary control zone declared under article 13(c);

“temporary movement restriction zone” means a temporary movement restriction zone declared under article 13(a);

“unregulated period of infection” means the period from the date, when in the opinion of a veterinary inspector, avian influenza virus may first have been introduced to premises, up to the time and date when measures under article 10 (notice of restrictions where avian influenza is suspected on premises) are imposed by notice in writing on the occupier;

“vehicle” includes any means of transport and includes—a trailer, semi-trailer or other thing designed or adapted to be towed by another vehicle;a detachable part of any vehicle;a container or other structure designed or adapted to be carried on a vehicle;

“veterinary surgeon” means a person who is registered in the register of veterinary surgeons maintained by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons or in the supplementary register maintained by the College;

“wild birds” means birds which are not poultry or other captive birds;

“wild game bird” means a bird which lives freely in the wild and is hunted for human consumption;

“wild game bird product” means any wild game bird carcase, egg or any other thing originating or made (whether in whole or in part) from a wild game bird or from a wild game bird carcase and includes bird by-products from wild birds;

“wild mammal” means a mammal which lives freely in the wild and is not in the possession or under the charge of any person;

“wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre” means any facility dedicated to the sole purpose of providing treatment and temporary care of injured, orphaned or sick wild animals, including any facility for their housing, feeding and treatment under the supervision of a veterinary surgeon for the primary purpose of their release back into the wild.

(2) Other expressions used in this Order and in Council Directive 2005/94/EC on Community measures for the control of avian influenza and repealing Directive 92/40/EEC , as last amended by Council Directive 2008/73/EC have their meaning in that Directive.

Scope of the Act and of this Order

3

(1) For the purposes of the Act in its application to avian influenza and to this Order—

(a) the definition of “poultry” in section 87(4) of the Act is extended to include all birds;

(b) the definition of “animals” in section 87(1) of the Act is extended to include all mammals, except man; and

(c) the definition of “disease” in section 88(1) of the Act is extended to include any infection in mammals caused by influenza ... of avian origin.

(2) Section 32 excluding subsection (2) of the Act applies to any infection in mammals caused by influenza ... of avian origin and references in this Order to that section are to that section as it applies to such infection.

(3) References in this Order to paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 to the Act are to that paragraph as it applies to avian influenza.

(4) This Order does not apply to anything done in accordance with a licence under the Specified Animal Pathogens (Wales) Order 2008.

(5) This Order does not apply to quarantine centres and quarantine facilities approved under Article 6 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 139/2013 laying down animal health conditions for imports of certain birds into the Union and the quarantine conditions thereof.

Declarations, licences, notices and designations under this Order

4

(1) Declarations of controlled zones under this Order—

(a) must be in writing;

(b) may be amended or revoked by further declaration at any time;

(d) must list or refer to the measures which apply in such a zone and, if they apply in only part of the zone, state in which part they apply; and

(e) must state which categories of birds the measures apply to.

(2) Licences under this Order—

(a) must be in writing;

(b) may be general or specific;

(c) may, in addition to any conditions required by this Order, be made subject to such conditions as the person granting the licence considers necessary to control avian influenza or influenza of avian origin; and

(d) may be amended, suspended or revoked, in writing, at any time.

(3) Notices under this Order—

(a) may be amended or revoked, by further notice, at any time;

(b) must specify whether they apply to all or to part of the premises to which they relate; and

(4) Designations of premises under this Order—

(a) must be in writing;

(b) must, if they apply to only part of the premises, specify to which part they apply.

(d) may be amended, suspended or revoked in writing at any time.

(5) The National Assembly must ensure that the extent of any zone declared under this Order, the nature of the restrictions and requirements applicable within it and the dates of its declaration and termination are publicised.

(6) Licences granted in Scotland or England for activities which could be licensed in Wales under this Order have effect in Wales as if they were licences granted under this Order but an inspector acting under the direction of the National Assembly may serve a notice on any person moving any thing under the authority of such a licence, directing him or her to move it or to keep it on premises specified in the notice or move it out of Wales.

(7) Premises in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland designated respectively by the Scottish Ministers, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs or by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland for the same purposes as they may be designated under this Order are deemed to be designated by the National Assembly for the purposes of this Order.

(8) A person moving anything under the authority of a specific licence granted under this Order must—

(a) keep the licence or a copy of it with him at all times during the licensed movement;

(b) on demand by a veterinary inspector or other officer of the National Assembly or by an inspector, produce the licence or copy and allow a copy or extract to be taken; and

(9) A person moving anything under the authority of a general licence granted under this Order must—

(a) keep with him or her, at all times during the licensed movement, a consignment note that contains details of—

(i) what is moved, including its quantity;

(ii) the date of the movement;

(iii) the name of the consignor;

(iv) the address of the premises from which the movement started;

(v) the name of the consignee;

(vi) the address of the premises of destination;

(b) on demand by a veterinary inspector or other officer of the National Assembly or by an inspector, produce the consignment note and allow a copy or extract to be taken; and

(10) Unless the National Assembly states otherwise, in a declaration of a controlled zone or by notice to the occupier of any premises or to the owner or occupier of any vehicle, any movement which has already started when such a declaration comes into force may be completed.

Controlled zones

5

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), premises which are only partly in a controlled zone are deemed to be wholly within the controlled zone.

(2) Premises in any controlled zone other than an avian influenza (restrictions on mammals) zone which are partly in one of the following zones and partly in another are deemed to be wholly in the zone furthest up the following list—

(a) protection zone;

(b) surveillance zone;

(d) temporary control zone;

(e) temporary movement restriction zone;

(f) low pathogenic avian influenza restricted zone;

(g) avian influenza prevention zone.

(3) Premises which are in any of the controlled zones set out in paragraph (2) and also in an avian influenza (restrictions on mammals) zone are subject to the restrictions and requirements applicable in both zones.

(4) Every controlled zone, other than an avian influenza prevention zone, is an infected area for the purposes of the Act.

PART 2 — Preventive measures

Measures to reduce the risk of transmission of avian influenza

6

(1) If, after carrying out a risk assessment, the National Assembly considers such action necessary to reduce the risk of transmission of avian influenza virus to poultry or other captive birds from wild birds or from any other source, it must—

(a) declare an avian influenza prevention zone in all or part of Wales; or

(b) serve or require an inspector to serve a notice on the occupier of any premises where poultry, other captive birds or any categories of poultry or captive birds specified in the notice are kept.

(2) A declaration or notice under paragraph (1) must impose such measures as the National Assembly considers necessary to reduce the risk of transmission of avian influenza virus.

(3) When deciding the measures to impose under paragraph (2), the National Assembly must consider whether measures are necessary—

(i) to prevent direct or indirect contact which wild birds might otherwise have with poultry and other captive birds;

(ii) to reduce the risk of feed and water provided to poultry and other captive birds being contaminated with avian influenza virus; and

(iii) to reduce the risk of the spread of avian influenza virus between premises.

(4) The power of the National Assembly to impose measures by declaration or notice under this article includes the power—

(a) to require poultry and other captive birds to be housed or otherwise kept separate from wild birds;

(b) to require poultry or other captive birds or categories of such birds specified in the declaration or notice to be housed or otherwise kept separate from other poultry and captive birds;

(d) to require keepers of poultry and other captive birds and others who come into contact with such birds to cleanse and disinfect their footwear and take such other biosecurity measures as a veterinary inspector or an inspector under the direction of a veterinary inspector may require;

(e) to ban or limit the collection of poultry or other captive birds at any fair, market, show, exhibition, race or other gathering;

(f) to ban or limit the use of birds of the orders Anseriformes (including ducks, geese and swans) and Charadriiformes (including gulls, murres, terns, avocets, puffins, woodcock, oystercatchers, sandpipers, plovers, surfbirds, snipes and skimmers) as decoys during bird hunting.

Surveillance for avian influenza

7

(1) The National Assembly must carry out surveillance at such premises and of such birds as it considers necessary—

(a) to detect the presence in different species of poultry of infection with avian influenza virus subtypes H5 and H7; and

(b) to assess the risk of the spread of avian influenza virus by wild birds.

(1A) The Welsh Ministers may carry out surveillance at such premises and of such mammals as they consider necessary—

(a) to detect the presence of avian influenza virus in kept mammals;

(b) to assess the risk of the spread of avian influenza virus.

(2) The National Assembly must give notice to the occupier of premises selected by it for the purposes of such a survey.

PART 3 — Measures on suspicion of avian influenza

Disapplication of measures to regulated places

8

Articles 9(1)(b) and 10 to 17 do not apply to regulated places.

Notification procedures and precautions to be taken where avian influenza is suspected

9

(1) A person who has in his or her possession or under his or her charge any bird or bird carcase which has, or which he or she suspects may have, avian influenza must—

(a) immediately notify the Welsh Ministers; and

(b) take all reasonable steps to ensure that the measures in Schedule 1 are complied with.

(2) A person who examines or inspects any bird or bird carcase, or who analyses any sample taken from any bird or bird carcase, must immediately inform the Welsh Ministers if—

(a) he or she suspects the presence of avian influenza in the bird or bird carcase; or

(b) he or she detects evidence of antibodies to avian influenza virus in the bird or bird carcase.

(3) A person who examines or inspects any mammal or mammal carcase, or who analyses any sample taken from any mammal or mammal carcase, must immediately inform the Welsh Ministers if—

(a) he or she suspects the presence of avian influenza virus in the mammal or mammal carcase; or

(b) he or she detects evidence of antibodies to avian influenza virus in the mammal or mammal carcase.

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) A person who has in his possession or under his charge any mammal or mammal carcase which he or she suspects has or may have influenza of avian origin must—

(a) immediately notify the Welsh Ministers, and

(b) take all reasonable steps to ensure that the measures in Schedule 9 are complied with.

(6) Any person who analyses a sample taken from a wild bird or a wild bird carcase must give notice as soon as practicable to the Welsh Ministers if he or she detects the presence of avian influenza virus or antibodies to avian influenza virus in that wild bird or wild bird carcase.

Notice of restrictions where avian influenza is suspected on premises

10

(1) Subject to article 11 and whether or not notification has been made under article 9, an inspector must serve a notice of restrictions on the occupier of any premises where he or she suspects that avian influenza or influenza of avian origin exists or may have existed within the preceding 56 days.

(2) Subject to article 11, the notice of restrictions must require the occupier of the premises to comply with—

(a) in the case of premises where poultry or other captive birds are present, the measures in Schedule 1, and

(b) in the case of premises where mammals are present, the measures in Schedules 1 and 9.

(3) A veterinary inspector must not withdraw the notice of restrictions unless instructed to do so by the Chief Veterinary Officer or the presence of disease has been negated.

Derogations from restrictions applicable at suspect premises

11

(1) A notice served under article 10 on the occupier of a laboratory where low pathogenic avian influenza virus is kept must—

(a) be served by a veterinary inspector; and

(b) impose such of the measures in Schedule 1 and such measures relating to the operation of the laboratory as the veterinary inspector considers necessary.

(2) In a notice served under article 10 on the occupier of premises other than those referred to in paragraph (1) of this article, or by licence to such an occupier, a veterinary inspector or an inspector acting under his or her direction may grant derogations from paragraphs 2, 3, 4 and 6 of Schedule 1.

(3) No person is to grant a derogation under paragraph (2) or authorise the granting of such a derogation unless he or she has considered—

(a) the risk of the possible spread of avian influenza virus were the derogation to be granted;

(b) any precautionary measures which have been or could be taken; and

(4) In a notice served under article 10 or by licence, a veterinary inspector or an inspector acting under the direction of a veterinary inspector may also grant a derogation from the cleansing and disinfection requirement in paragraph 9 of Schedule 1 or paragraph 6 of Schedule 9 if—

(a) the premises the subject of the derogation are non-commercial premises;

(b) the premises contain other captive birds but no poultry;

(c) he or she has considered the risk of the possible spread of avian influenza virus were the derogation to be granted and any precautionary measures which have been or could be taken.

(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Veterinary inquiries and sampling

12

(1) The Welsh Ministers must ensure that a veterinary inquiry is started at a suspect premises as soon as reasonably practicable if they suspect—

(a) that poultry, other captive birds or kept mammals on the premises—

(i) are infected with avian influenza virus, or

(ii) have been moved to those premises from premises where avian influenza or influenza of avian origin is suspected or has been confirmed, or

(b) that infection may have been present on the premises in the preceding 56 days.

(2) If the National Assembly has authorised a veterinary inspector or another veterinary surgeon to take samples from poultry , other captive birds or kept mammals on premises other than suspect premises or other than for the purposes of the veterinary inquiry referred to in paragraph (1), it must direct by notice to the occupier of the premises which of the measures in Schedule 1 or Schedule 9 apply to the premises.

(3) The Welsh Ministers must ensure that any veterinary inquiry conducted under paragraph (1) or (2) is conducted in accordance with the procedures set out in the diagnostic manual.

(4) A veterinary inquiry under paragraph (1) conducted at premises where mammals are kept may be carried out whether or not—

(a) poultry or other captive birds are kept on the premises, or

(b) avian influenza virus is present or has been present on the premises in the preceding 56 days.

Measures to minimise the risk of the spread of avian influenza from suspect premises

13

If the National Assembly considers such a measure necessary to minimise the risk of the spread of avian influenza or of avian influenza virus from suspect premises in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, it must take one or more of the following measures—

(a) declare a temporary movement restriction zone in such part of Wales as it considers necessary;

(b) serve a notice on the owner or occupier of suspect premises in Wales requiring him or her to comply with such of the measures in Schedules 1 and 9 as are specified in the notice;

(c) declare a temporary control zone in such part of Wales and of such size as he or she considers necessary around suspect premises.

Measures to be taken into account in respect of vehicles

14

A person exercising powers under articles 10 to 13 must take into account any measures taken in respect of vehicles under articles 38, 42, 43 and 45.

Measures in a temporary movement restriction zone

15

(1) In a declaration of a temporary movement restriction zone and in relation to all or such part of the zone as he thinks fit, the National Assembly must ban or restrict the movement of such of the following as it considers necessary—

(a) poultry;

(b) other captive birds;

(d) vehicles used to transport poultry, other captive birds, eggs or anything else likely to transmit avian influenza;

(e) kept mammals.

(2) If the National Assembly bans or restricts the movement of mammals within a temporary movement restriction zone, it must lift the ban or restriction within 72 hours of it being imposed unless (notwithstanding any continuing restrictions on the movement of other things listed in paragraph (1)) it is satisfied that its continuation is necessary to minimise the risk of the spread of avian influenza.

(3) If the ban or restriction on the movement of mammals continues for more than 72 hours from when it was originally declared, the National Assembly must review each decision to continue it within 72 hours.

Additional restrictions at suspect premises

16

In a notice served under article 13(b), the National Assembly must state if the measures specified in the notice apply—

(a) to all poultry and other captive birds on the premises;

(b) only to certain categories of poultry or other captive birds;

(ca) to all kept mammals at the premises;

(cb) to specified kept mammals at the premises;

(d) to all or only a specified part of the premises.

Declaration of a temporary control zone

17

In a declaration of a temporary control zone, the National Assembly must impose, in relation to premises in all or such part of the zone as it thinks fit, such measures as it considers necessary to reduce the risk of the spread of avian influenza virus.

PART 4 — Measures on confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza at premises other than regulated places

Disapplication of measures to regulated places

18

This Part does not apply to regulated places.

Restrictions on confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza

19

(1) If the Chief Veterinary Officer confirms that highly pathogenic avian influenza exists or has in the preceding 56 days existed in poultry or other captive birds on any premises, the Welsh Ministers must impose by notice to the occupier of the infected premises the measures in Schedule 2 in addition to the measures in Schedule 1.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Killing of birds on premises

20

Subject to article 21, the National Assembly must ensure that poultry and other captive birds to be killed on infected premises under paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 to the Act, are killed there without delay.

Movement of birds off premises for killing

21

If the National Assembly considers that killing birds other than on infected premises would limit the risk of the spread of avian influenza more effectively, a veterinary inspector may—

(a) direct, by notice to the occupier of the infected premises, that killing of the birds specified in the notice be carried out at a place specified in the notice; and

(b) license the movement of those birds to that place.

Measures on special category premises

22

(1) A veterinary inspector must not license the movement of birds not killed under paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 to the Act from infected premises which are special category premises unless he or she is satisfied, following tests on the birds, that they are not infectious.

(2) A veterinary inspector must not license a movement to a place in the territory for which another administration within the British Islands is responsible unless the movement is authorised by the appropriate minister for that administration.

(3) The following are special category premises—

(a) non-commercial premises;

(b) circuses;

(d) pet shops;

(e) wildlife parks;

(f) fenced areas where poultry or other captive birds are kept for scientific purposes or for purposes related to the conservation of endangered species;

(g) premises or parts of premises where only officially registered rare breeds of poultry or other captive birds are kept.

(h) “wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres.

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) In this article, “officially registered rare breeds of poultry or other captive birds” means any poultry or other captive birds that belong to a species of rare breed as determined by the UK Genetics for Livestock and Equines Committee (UKGLE) and published in the “UK breeds at risk” list published on 2 June 2025.

Tracing of meat and eggs from infected premises

23

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Welsh Ministers must trace from infected premises, so far as it is reasonable to do so—

(a) the meat of all poultry slaughtered during the unregulated period of infection,

(b) poultry eggs laid at the premises during that period,

(d) semen of all poultry.

(2) The Welsh Ministers must, subject to a veterinary risk assessment, trace or require the tracing of live poultry, poultry meat, poultry eggs or poultry semen at least up to—

(a) in the case of products of animal origin, the first food processing establishment or where such products are not processed, a packing establishment,

(b) in the case of hatching eggs, the hatchery or premises where eggs are sent for hatching, or

(3) Where poultry meat, poultry eggs or poultry semen are traced, the Welsh Ministers may also trace up to such premises as the Chief Veterinary Officer considers necessary to avoid the risk of the spread of avian influenza virus.

Measures when meat and eggs have been traced

24

(1) The National Assembly must—

(a) dispose of meat traced from infected premises under article 23; or

(b) require its disposal, by notice to the person in possession of the meat.

(2) The National Assembly must—

(a) dispose of eggs traced from infected premises under article 23;

(b) require their disposal, by notice to the person in possession of the eggs; or

(3) The National Assembly must require, by notice to the occupier of any premises to which poultry already hatched from eggs traced under article 23 have been moved, that the poultry are not moved off those premises for at least 21 days from the date they arrived there.

(4) A person moving eggs under a licence granted under paragraph 2(c) must ensure that—

(a) each consignment of eggs is sealed by a veterinary inspector or in accordance with his or her instructions before dispatch;

(b) vehicles used to transport the eggs to the plant have been cleansed and disinfected before the eggs are loaded.

(5) No person is to tamper with a seal attached under sub-paragraph 4(a) or remove it before the consignment arrives at its destination.

Veterinary inquiry at infected premises

25

The National Assembly must ensure that veterinary inquiries continue at all infected premises for such period as it considers necessary.

Identification of contact premises

26

(1) A veterinary inspector must serve a notice on the occupier of any premises if he or she suspects that highly pathogenic avian influenza virus—

(a) may have been carried there from other premises; or

(b) may have been carried to other premises from there.

(2) Premises in respect of which a notice is served under this article are contact premises for the purposes of this Part.

Restrictions at contact premises

27

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the measures in Schedule 1 apply to contact premises until a veterinary inspector notifies the occupier that those measures are withdrawn or that the premises are infected premises.

(2) A veterinary inspector may, by notice to the occupier of contact premises or by licence, grant the same derogations in respect of contact premises as he or she can in respect of suspect premises under article 11.

(3) A veterinary inspector may, by notice to the occupier of contact premises, also require the occupier to comply with one or more of the measures in Schedule 2.

(4) When considering whether to require an occupier to comply with any of the measures in Schedule 2, a veterinary inspector must take the following criteria into account—

(a) the existence of any clinical signs of avian influenza in any poultry or other captive birds on the contact premises;

(b) the susceptibility to avian influenza of the species of poultry or other captive birds on the contact premises;

(c) any movements of poultry or other captive birds from infected premises to the contact premises after the earliest date a veterinary inspector considers avian influenza may have been introduced to the infected premises;

(d) the density of poultry in the area where the contact premises are located;

(e) the time passed since avian influenza was first confirmed and how far avian influenza has spread from infected premises;

(f) the proximity of the contact premises to infected premises;

(g) epidemiological links between the contact premises and infected premises;

(h) the extent to which measures to control avian influenza are working.

(5) When considering the proximity of the contact premises to infected premises under paragraph 4(f), a veterinary inspector must give particular consideration to whether he or she should impose measures on premises which are—

(a) within 500 metres of infected premises; or

(b) 500 metres or more from infected premises but are in an area with a high density of poultry.

(6) When considering epidemiological links between the contact premises and infected premises in accordance with paragraph (4)(g), a veterinary inspector must give particular consideration to whether he or she should impose measures on premises with links to more than one infected premises.

(7) If the National Assembly requires poultry or other captive birds on a contact premises to be killed, it must ensure that samples are taken from the dead birds and tested for avian influenza.

Declaration of protection, surveillance and restricted zones

28

(1) On confirmation by the Chief Veterinary Officer of highly pathogenic avian influenza on premises in Wales, the National Assembly must declare a protection zone and a surveillance zone.

(2) On confirmation by the Chief Veterinary Officer of highly pathogenic avian influenza in an area of England which is 3 kilometres or less from Wales, the National Assembly must declare a protection zone and a surveillance zone in Wales.

(3) On confirmation by the Chief Veterinary Officer of highly pathogenic avian influenza in an area of England which is more than 3 and up to 10 kilometres from Wales, the National Assembly must—

(a) declare a surveillance zone in Wales; and

(b) declare a protection zone in Wales, if it considers it necessary to prevent the spread of avian influenza.

(4) The National Assembly may declare protection and surveillance zones in Wales on confirmation by the Chief Veterinary Officer of highly pathogenic avian influenza in an area of Scotland or England which is 10 or more kilometres from Wales.

(5) The National Assembly must, if it considers it necessary to reduce the risk of the spread of avian influenza, declare one or more restricted zones in addition to protection and surveillance zones.

(6) Paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) do not affect the power of the National Assembly to disapply measures or to apply alternative measures under articles 30(3), 31(3) and 33.

Size of zones

29

(1) A protection zone declared under paragraphs (1), (2) or (3) of article 28 must (subject to paragraph (8))—

(a) be centred on the outbreak point; and

(b) have a radius of at least 3 kilometres.

(2) A surveillance zone declared under paragraphs (1), (2) or (3) of article 28 must (subject to paragraph (8))—

(a) be centred on the outbreak point; and

(b) have a radius of at least 10 kilometres.

(3) A restricted zone must—

(a) either

(i) be centred on the outbreak point; or

(ii) be adjacent to the surveillance zone or to another restricted zone; and

(b) be of such size as the National Assembly considers necessary.

(4) The National Assembly must take account of the criteria set out in paragraph (5) when deciding—

(a) what size zones to declare under paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) of article 28; and

(b) whether to declare restricted zones under paragraph (5) of article 28.

(5) The criteria referred to in paragraph (4) are—

(a) the results of veterinary inquiries;

(b) the geographical features of the area around the infected premises;

(d) patterns of movement of and trade in poultry and other captive birds in the area;

(e) the facilities and personnel available to control movements within the zone (including any movement of poultry or other captive birds off premises for slaughter and disposal).

(6) Protection zones and surveillance zones declared under paragraph (4) of article 28 must be centred on the outbreak point, and must be of such size as the National Assembly considers necessary to reduce the risk of the spread of avian influenza.

(7) The “outbreak point” means, in relation to any premises where avian influenza has been confirmed, the part of the premises from which the National Assembly considers controlled zones should be measured, given the nature of that case of avian influenza.

(8) Where this article or article 56 requires the National Assembly to declare a zone of a minimum area and such an area would include land in England, it must declare a zone of such part of that area as is in Wales.

Measures in protection zones

30

(1) The measures in article 31A and Schedules 4 and 8 apply in respect of a protection zone, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) and articles 33 and 35.

(2) Paragraph (3) applies if the National Assembly has carried out a risk assessment and does not believe that the disapplication of any measure under that paragraph would endanger disease control.

(3) In a declaration of a protection zone, the National Assembly may—

(a) disapply one or more of the measures in Schedule 4 to movements of racing pigeons into, from and within the zone;

(b) disapply one or more of the measures in paragraph 14 of Schedule 4 and in article 63(2) if—

(i) the premises where avian influenza has been confirmed are special category premises; and

(ii) avian influenza has been confirmed in poultry on those premises.

(4) The National Assembly must ensure that—

(a) premises containing poultry and other captive birds within a protection zone are identified as soon as possible; and

(b) a veterinary inspector examines poultry and other captive birds at all such premises, carrying out examinations at commercial premises as soon as possible.

(5) The National Assembly may, notwithstanding paragraph (4)(b), authorise a reduced level of surveillance to that provided for in that paragraph if—

(a) the premises on which avian influenza is confirmed are special category premises; and

(b) it is satisfied that reduced surveillance would not endanger disease control.

(6) The National Assembly must ensure that such veterinary inquiries as it considers necessary to monitor for avian influenza are carried out at premises to which things are moved within and out of a protection zone.

Measures in surveillance zones

31

(1) The measures in article 31A and Schedules 5 and 8 apply in respect of a surveillance zone, subject to paragraph (3) and articles 33 and 35.

(2) Paragraph (3) applies if the National Assembly has carried out a risk assessment and does not believe that the disapplication of any measure under that paragraph would endanger disease control.

(3) In its declaration of a surveillance zone, the National Assembly may—

(a) disapply one or more of those measures to movements of racing pigeons into, from and within the zone;

(b) disapply one or more of the measures in paragraphs 6, 11 or 15 of Schedule 5 (restrictions on the movement of poultry and eggs within and outside the zone and of poultry, other captive birds and mammals onto premises) if—

(i) the premises where avian influenza has been confirmed are special category premises; and

(ii) avian influenza has been confirmed in poultry on those premises.

(4) The National Assembly must ensure that all commercial poultry premises within a surveillance zone are identified as soon as possible.

Restrictions on trade in things from areas where measures have been disapplied

32

Unless he or she is licensed by a veterinary inspector, no person is to supply any of the following for export outside the United Kingdom if it has come from premises in respect of which any of the measures in Schedule 4 or 5 have been disapplied under articles 30 or 31—

(a) poultry;

(b) other captive birds;

(d) used litter;

(e) manure;

(f) slurry.

Alternative measures where avian influenza is confirmed at a hatchery or in other captive birds on special category premises

33

(1) If, following confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a hatchery or in any other captive birds on special category premises, or any birds on special category premises listed in article 22(3)(a) to (e) or (h), the National Assembly is satisfied that applying less stringent measures than those in articles 28 to 31 would not endanger disease control, it may decide—

(a) not to make a declaration of any controlled zone around the premises;

(b) to declare fewer zones than required under article 28;

(d) to specify in his declaration of a controlled zone that one or more of the measures in Schedules 4 and 5 do not apply in that zone.

(2) The National Assembly must carry out a risk assessment before reaching a decision under paragraph (1).

Measures in restricted zones

34

(1) The National Assembly must, in a declaration of a restricted zone under article 28(5), apply, in each zone so declared, such measures as he considers necessary to reduce the risk of the spread of avian influenza virus.

(2) These measures may include some or all of the measures in Schedules 4, 5 and 8 and articles 31A, 35 and 64.

Additional measures in protection and surveillance zones

35

(1) If it considers such action necessary to reduce the risk of the spread of avian influenza, the National Assembly must impose by declaration measures additional to those in Schedules 4 and 5 in respect of a protection or surveillance zone.

(2) The National Assembly's power to declare additional measures includes the power to prohibit or restrict—

(a) the movement of vehicles or people involved in—

(i) the supply of animal feed;

(ii) the supply of agricultural equipment;

(iii) the collection of eggs;

(iv) the transport of poultry to slaughterhouses;

(v) the collection of carcases for disposal;

(b) the movement of those working on premises, including veterinary surgeons;

(c) the movement of any person onto any premises, including common, unenclosed and waste land and agricultural buildings, notwithstanding the existence of any public or private right of way or any other right of access to, or permission to gain access to, the premises.

(3) The power to prohibit or restrict movement under paragraph (2)(c) applies only in relation to a protection zone and does not include a power to prohibit or restrict movement onto premises by—

(a) the owner or occupier of the premises;

(b) any person whose principal residence or place of employment is those premises;

Ending of protection, surveillance and restricted zones

36

(1) The National Assembly may, by declaration, end a protection zone but , subject to paragraph (4) must not, in the case of a protection zone declared under paragraph (1), (2) or (3) of article 28, do so until—

(a) at least 21 days have elapsed since the completion at all infected premises in the zone of the preliminary cleansing and disinfection measures referred to in Part 2 of Schedule 3; and

(b) a veterinary inquiry has been completed on all premises within the zone identified as containing poultry or other captive birds.

(2) On the ending of any protection zone, the area which formed that protection zone will become part of the surveillance zone centred on the same outbreak point as the protection zone.

(3) The National Assembly may, by declaration, end a surveillance zone but, in the case of a zone declared under paragraph (1), (2) or (3) of article 28, must not do so until at least 30 days have elapsed since the completion at all infected premises in the zone of the preliminary cleansing and disinfection measures referred to in Part 2 of Schedule 3.

(4) The restrictions that would otherwise apply by virtue of paragraph (1)(a) or (3) do not apply where the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that their application is not necessary to reduce the risk of the spread of avian influenza.

PART 5 — Measures on suspicion or confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza in regulated places and vehicles

Veterinary measures at slaughterhouses

37

(1) If it suspects that highly pathogenic avian influenza exists at any slaughterhouse or if the Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed that it exists there, the National Assembly must—

(a) serve a notice on the occupier of the slaughterhouse informing him or her of this and applying the measures set out in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of Schedule 1; and

(b) ensure that a veterinary inquiry is carried out at the slaughterhouse.

Veterinary inquiry where avian influenza is suspected or confirmed in vehicles

38

An inspector must ensure that a veterinary inquiry is carried out in relation to any vehicle on which he or she knows or suspects that highly pathogenic avian influenza or highly pathogenic avian influenza virus exists.

Slaughter of birds in slaughterhouses where disease is suspected or confirmed

39

The occupier of a slaughterhouse where highly pathogenic avian influenza is suspected or confirmed must ensure that all poultry present on the premises at the date a notice is served on him or her under article 37(1)(a) are slaughtered there without delay and in accordance with a veterinary inspector's instructions.

Poultry meat and by-products in slaughterhouses where disease is suspected or confirmed

40

(1) The occupier of a slaughterhouse where highly pathogenic avian influenza is suspected or confirmed must, in accordance with a veterinary inspector's instructions—

(a) keep poultry referred to in article 39 separate from any other poultry subsequently arriving at the slaughterhouse; and

(b) keep the following separate from other bird carcases, poultry meat and by-products—

(i) bird carcases and poultry meat from poultry referred to in article 39;

(ii) the by-products of such poultry;

(iii) poultry meat from any other poultry which may have been contaminated at the slaughterhouse during the killing of such poultry or the production process;

(iv) the by-products of the poultry referred to in paragraph (iii).

(2) Paragraph (1) applies to poultry moved to a slaughterhouse—

(a) from a border control post in accordance with article 41(2), as if references to article 39 were to that article; and

(b) on a vehicle in accordance with article 42, as if references to article 39 were to that article.

(3) The occupier of a slaughterhouse where highly pathogenic avian influenza is confirmed must dispose of the things set out in paragraph (1)(b) in accordance with a veterinary inspector's instructions or assist him or her in removing those things from the premises.

Measures at border inspection posts

41

(1) The Welsh Ministers must, if necessary to reduce the risk of the spread of avian influenza virus—

(a) require a veterinary inquiry to be carried out at a border control post where the presence of avian influenza virus is suspected or confirmed in poultry, other captive birds or kept mammals;

(b) impose by notice to the person with responsibility for control of the border control post such of the measures in Schedules 1 and 9 as are appropriate.

(2) In paragraph (1), “necessary” and “appropriate” mean, respectively, necessary and appropriate in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers.

(3) The Welsh Ministers must by notice to the person with responsibility for operating the border control post, direct where poultry, other captive birds or kept mammals specified in the notice are to be killed, slaughtered or isolated.

(4) The Welsh Ministers must ensure that—

(a) poultry or other captive birds which are to be killed or slaughtered under paragraph (5) of Schedule 3 to the Act are killed or slaughtered without delay;

(b) kept mammals which are to be killed or slaughtered under section 32 of the Act are killed or slaughtered without delay.

(5) The Welsh Ministers must ensure that poultry, other captive birds or kept mammals which are not to be killed or slaughtered under paragraph (3) are kept—

(a) isolated in accordance with the instructions of a veterinary inspector, and

(b) under official supervision until the investigation is completed in accordance with the requirements set out in the diagnostic manual.

Control of vehicles

42

(1) An inspector who knows or suspects that any poultry, other captive bird or any thing on any vehicle is infected or contaminated with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus may, by notice to the owner or driver of the vehicle or to the occupier of any premises—

(a) require the detention at such place as the inspector directs of any vehicle, equipment or other thing suspected of being contaminated; and

(b) direct that the vehicle be moved to such premises as the inspector directs.

(2) Any expenses arising from the movement or detention of any bird or any thing (including the cost of feeding and watering any bird) must be paid by its owner.

Cleansing and disinfection of regulated places and vehicles

43

(1) The occupier of any regulated place where highly pathogenic avian influenza is suspected or confirmed must cleanse and disinfect those premises and any equipment and vehicles on those premises which may be contaminated in accordance with a veterinary inspector's instructions.

(2) The owner or driver of any vehicle on which highly pathogenic avian influenza is suspected or confirmed must cleanse and disinfect the vehicle.

Reintroduction of poultry and other captive birds

44

(1) No person is to reintroduce poultry to a slaughterhouse where highly pathogenic avian influenza was suspected or confirmed until an inspector has confirmed that the cleansing and disinfection referred to in article 43 has been completed and at least 24 hours have elapsed since its completion.

(2) No person is to reintroduce poultry or other captive birds to a border control post where highly pathogenic avian influenza was suspected or confirmed until an inspector has confirmed that the cleansing and disinfection referred to in article 43 has been completed and at least 24 hours have elapsed since its completion.

(3) If it considers it necessary to reduce the risk of the spread of avian influenza virus, the National Assembly may, by notice to the occupier of such a border control post, prohibit the introduction of animals other than birds onto the premises until the cleansing and disinfection referred to in article 43 has been completed and at least 24 hours have elapsed since its completion.

Measures at other premises and for vehicles

45

(1) If the National Assembly suspects that highly pathogenic avian influenza or highly pathogenic avian influenza virus exists at any slaughterhouse or in any vehicle or if the Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed that it exists there, the National Assembly must—

(a) apply the measures in Schedule 1 to the premises of origin;

(b) apply the measures in Schedule 1 to premises which it considers to be suspect premises (because of their epidemiological link with the premises of origin); and

(c) apply the measures in Schedule 2 to the premises of origin, unless it is satisfied (having considered the results of veterinary inquiries) that this is not necessary.

(2) If the National Assembly suspects that highly pathogenic avian influenza exists at any border control post or if the Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed that it exists there, the National Assembly must apply the measures in Schedule 1 to premises which it considers to be suspect premises because of their epidemiological link with the border control post.

(3) The National Assembly must apply measures under this article by notice to the occupier of the relevant premises.

(4) In this article, “premises of origin” means any premises from which poultry or other captive birds which may be infected were moved to the slaughterhouse or on the vehicle.

PART 6 — Measures on confirmation of low pathogenic avian influenza

Measures when low pathogenic avian influenza is confirmed

46

(1) If on any premises, other than a regulated place, the Chief Veterinary Officer confirms that low pathogenic avian influenza exists or has in the preceding 56 days existed in poultry or other captive birds, the Welsh Ministers must—

(a) apply, by notice to the occupier of the infected premises, such of the measures in Part 1 of Schedule 6 as it considers necessary , and the measures in article 31A and Schedule 8, to reduce the risk of the spread of avian influenza; and

(b) ensure that a veterinary inquiry continues at the infected premises.

(2) If the Chief Veterinary Officer confirms that low pathogenic avian influenza or low pathogenic avian influenza virus exists at a regulated place, the National Assembly may apply, by notice to the occupier of that place, such of the measures in Part 1 of Schedule 6 as it considers necessary , and the measures in article 31A and Schedule 8, to reduce the risk of the spread of avian influenza.

(3) A veterinary inspector must not license any movement otherwise prohibited under Part 1 of Schedule 6 unless he or she is satisfied that it would not significantly increase the risk of the spread of low pathogenic avian influenza virus.

(4) When reaching a decision under paragraph (3), a veterinary inspector must, in particular, take into account the criteria in Part 2 of Schedule 6.

(5) An inspector who knows or suspects that any poultry, other captive bird or any thing on any vehicle is infected or contaminated with low pathogenic avian influenza virus may, by notice to the owner or driver of the vehicle or to the occupier of any premises—

(a) require the detention at such place as the inspector directs of any vehicle, equipment or other thing suspected of being contaminated; and

(b) direct that the vehicle be moved to such premises as the inspector directs.

(6) Any expenses arising from the movement or detention of any bird or any thing, including the cost of feeding and watering any bird, must be paid by its owner.

Killing of poultry and other captive birds

47

(1) The Welsh Ministers must ensure that all poultry and other captive birds of the species in which low pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed on the holding are killed or slaughtered under official supervision in such a way as to prevent the spread of avian influenza.

(2) The occupier of a designated slaughterhouse must ensure that poultry from infected premises are slaughtered as soon as possible.

(3) The National Assembly must not authorise the movement of birds to a designated slaughterhouse unless it is satisfied that the movement would not significantly increase the risk of the spread of low pathogenic avian influenza.

(4) The Welsh Ministers may require other captive birds on the premises to be killed or slaughtered on the basis of an assessment of the risk that they pose as regards the spread of avian influenza to birds on other premises that are determined on the basis of epidemiological inquiry to be contact premises.

Movement of eggs from premises where low pathogenic avian influenza is confirmed

48

(1) If the National Assembly directs that poultry on infected premises are to be slaughtered at a slaughterhouse, it must not license the movement of eggs off the premises prior to the poultry being sent for slaughter unless it is satisfied that the movement would not significantly increase the risk of the spread of low pathogenic avian influenza.

(2) The National Assembly may only license the movement of such eggs—

(a) to a designated egg packing centre, in disposable packaging or packaging which has been cleansed and disinfected in accordance with the instructions of a veterinary inspector;

(b) to an egg processing plant; or

Veterinary surveillance of poultry

49

The National Assembly must carry out such veterinary surveillance as it considers necessary at premises where poultry are kept before being sent to a slaughterhouse under article 47.

Measures on special category premises

50

(1) The occupier of infected premises which are special category premises where poultry and other captive birds are not killed or slaughtered under paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 to the Act must ensure that—

(a) poultry and other captive birds are—

(i) housed; or

(ii) isolated (if so directed by a veterinary inspector on the basis that housing is impractical or would adversely affect the birds' welfare to a significant degree);

(b) no poultry or other captive bird is moved from the premises except—

(i) to a designated slaughterhouse or other premises in accordance with a licence granted by a veterinary inspector; ...

(ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) The occupier of the premises must take all reasonable steps to minimise contact between birds isolated under paragraph (1)(a)(ii) and wild birds.

(3) A veterinary inspector must not grant a licence under paragraph (1)(b) unless he or she is satisfied, following tests on the birds, that there is not a significant risk that the proposed movement would spread highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.

Veterinary surveillance of birds

51

The National Assembly must ensure that poultry or other captive birds on infected premises which are special category premises not killed under paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 of the Act are monitored for avian influenza.

Tracing of poultry and eggs

52

(1) The National Assembly must endeavour to trace the following from infected premises—

(a) hatching eggs from poultry or other captive birds laid during the unregulated period of infection; and

(b) poultry or other captive birds hatched from eggs laid during that period.

(2) The National Assembly must ensure that such veterinary inquiries as it considers necessary to monitor for avian influenza are carried out at premises to which eggs , poultry or other captive birds are so traced.

Identification of contact premises

53

(1) The National Assembly must serve a notice on the occupier of any premises other than regulated places if it suspects that low pathogenic avian influenza virus—

(a) may have been carried there from other premises; or

(b) may have been carried to other premises from there.

(2) Premises in respect of which a notice is served under this article are contact premises for the purposes of this Part.

Restrictions at contact premises

54

(1) The National Assembly must, by notice to the occupier of contact premises, apply such of the measures in Schedule 1 as it considers necessary to reduce the risk of the spread of avian influenza virus.

(2) If it considers it necessary to prevent the spread of low pathogenic avian influenza virus, the National Assembly must—

(a) direct that contact premises be deemed to be infected premises; and

(b) state, in its direction, which measures in this Part and in Schedule 6 apply to the contact premises.

(3) A direction under paragraph (2) must be by notice to the occupier of the contact premises and the National Assembly must not serve such a notice unless it has taken into account the criteria set out in paragraph (4) of article 27, as read with paragraphs (5) and (6) of article 27.

(4) If the National Assembly requires poultry or other captive birds on contact premises to be killed, it must ensure that samples are taken from the dead birds and tested for avian influenza virus.

Declaration of a low pathogenic avian influenza restricted zone

55

(1) On confirmation by the Chief Veterinary Officer of low pathogenic avian influenza on premises other than regulated places in Wales, the National Assembly must (subject to paragraph (4)), declare a low pathogenic avian influenza restricted zone.

(2) On confirmation by the Chief Veterinary Officer of low pathogenic avian influenza in an area of England which is 1 kilometre or less from Wales, the National Assembly must declare a low pathogenic avian influenza restricted zone in Wales.

(3) The National Assembly may declare a low pathogenic avian influenza restricted zone on confirmation by the Chief Veterinary Officer of low pathogenic avian influenza in an area of Scotland or England which is more than 1 kilometre from Wales.

(4) The National Assembly may, on the basis of a risk assessment, decide not to declare a low pathogenic avian influenza restricted zone if the premises where low pathogenic is confirmed are—

(a) a hatchery; or

(b) special category premises.

Size of zones

56

(1) A low pathogenic avian influenza restricted zone must—

(a) be centred on the outbreak point; and

(b) subject to article 29(8), have a radius of at least 1 kilometre.

(2) “Outbreak point” has the meaning it has in article 29.

Measures in low pathogenic avian influenza restricted zones

57

(1) The measures in Schedule 7 apply in respect of a low pathogenic avian influenza restricted zone, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3).

(2) The National Assembly may, in a declaration under article 55, disapply some or all of the measures in Schedule 7 if—

(a) the infected premises are a hatchery or special category premises; and

(b) it has carried out a risk assessment and does not believe that the disapplication would endanger disease control.

(3) The National Assembly may, if it considers it necessary to reduce the risk of the spread of avian influenza, impose, by declaration, measures additional to those in Schedule 7 in respect of the low pathogenic avian influenza restricted zone.

(4) The National Assembly must ensure that—

(a) commercial premises in the low pathogenic avian influenza restricted zone are identified as soon as possible;

(b) tests for avian influenza are carried out on commercial poultry premises within a radius of at least 1 kilometre of the boundary of the infected premises or, if it thinks it more appropriate, of the part of the infected premises where avian influenza was found.

PART 7 — Measures to reduce the risk of the spread of influenza viruses of avian origin to other species

Tests on animals at premises where avian influenza is confirmed

58

On suspicion that influenza of avian origin exists or has in the preceding 56 days existed on any premises, a veterinary inspector must impose, by notice to the occupier of the premises such measures in Schedule 9 as the veterinary inspector considers necessary to prevent the spread of disease.

Killing of mammals

59

(1) This article applies in relation to kept mammals on premises affected or suspected of being affected with avian influenza virus.

(2) The Welsh Ministers must ensure that mammals to which this section applies that are to be killed or slaughtered under section 32 of the Act are—

(a) killed or slaughtered in accordance with the instructions of a veterinary inspector, and

(b) transported in accordance with the instructions of a veterinary inspector if they are not killed or slaughtered on the premises.

(3) The Welsh Ministers may require a mammal not killed or slaughtered under paragraph (1) to be subject to monitoring by a veterinary inspector or any person on the instructions of a veterinary inspector for such time and at such frequency as is considered by a veterinary inspector to be necessary.

Movements off the premises

60

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), no person is to move any mammal tested in the course of an inquiry under article 12 off the premises until a veterinary inspector has confirmed that the mammal is not infective and licenses the movement.

(2) A veterinary inspector may license the movement of pigs and other mammals in which infection with avian influenza virus is confirmed to other premises (including slaughterhouses) if he or she is satisfied (as a result of further tests on the animals) that the movement will not significantly increase the risk of the spread of avian influenza virus.

Other measures to control the spread of virus in mammals

61

(1) A notice under article 12, 58, 59, 60A or 61A may, in addition to any measures specified in the relevant article, require such additional measures as appear to the Chief Veterinary Officer to be necessary in order to control or monitor the spread of avian influenza virus.

(2) A notice under paragraph (1) must be in writing and may be amended or revoked at any time.

(3) The Chief Veterinary Officer may in addition declare an avian influenza (restrictions on mammals) zone.

(4) Where an avian influenza (restrictions on mammals) zone has been declared, the Chief Veterinary Officer may impose such measures within that zone in addition to those set out in articles 12, 58, 59, 60A or 61A as are considered necessary in order to control or monitor the spread of avian influenza virus.

PART 8 — General measures on suspicion or confirmation of avian influenza

Restrictions relating to things moved from Scotland, England or Northern Ireland

62

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), measures in this Order applying in respect of any thing moved from a controlled zone or from any of the premises referred to in paragraph (3) apply in respect of any such thing moved from an equivalent zone or equivalent premises in Scotland, England or Northern Ireland.

(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 or equivalent premises.

(3) The premises referred to in paragraph (1) are—

(a) suspect premises;

(b) contact premises;

(d) premises subject to restrictions under Part 7.

Measures relating to slaughter and to poultry meat

63

(1) The occupier of a slaughterhouse to which poultry from premises in a protection zone are sent must ensure that—

(a) the poultry are kept separate from poultry from outside the zone;

(b) the poultry are slaughtered separately or at different times from poultry from outside the zone; and

(c) the part of the slaughterhouse and any equipment and any other thing which has been used for the slaughter or subsequent processing of the poultry are cleansed and disinfected in accordance with a veterinary inspector's instructions before poultry from outside the zone are slaughtered.

(2) No person is to move poultry meat from poultry originating in a protection zone unless he or she is licensed to do so by a veterinary inspector and the poultry meat—

(a) bears a mark (or is in packaging which bears a mark) approved by the National Assembly and which—

(i) identifies the poultry meat as coming from a protection zone; and

(ii) complies with paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 13 of section 1(C) of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin ; and

(b) is obtained, cut, transported and stored separately from poultry meat from outside the zone.

(3) No person is to move poultry meat from poultry from outside a protection zone unless the meat—

(a) is obtained, cut, transported and stored separately from meat produced from poultry originating in the zone; and

(b) in the case of meat produced from poultry from an area which, subsequent to such production, becomes a protection zone—

(i) was produced at least 21 days before the date a veterinary inspector estimates as the date of earliest infection at premises in the protection zone; and

(ii) has been obtained, cut, transported and stored separately from meat produced after that date.

(4) Poultry meat from poultry outside a protection zone which does not meet the requirements of paragraph (3)(b) is subject to the measures in paragraphs (2) and (5) applicable to meat from poultry originating in such a zone.

(5) No person is to supply poultry meat from poultry originating in a protection zone for export outside the United Kingdom.

(6) No person other than the final consumer of meat marked with a mark referred to in paragraph (2)(a) is to deface, obliterate or remove that mark, unless licensed by the National Assembly.

(7) In this article, “poultry meat” means poultry meat and any product containing it which has not been heat treated at a minimum temperature of 70°C, which temperature must be reached throughout the meat or product.

(8) No person is to—

(a) feed raw poultry meat produced from poultry originating in the protection zone to animals or birds;

(b) permit raw poultry meat produced from poultry originating in the protection zone to be used in the production of raw pet food.

(9) Nothing in this article requires the application of a special mark to poultry meat which is produced by an on-farm slaughter facility registered under Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin.

Poultry moved to premises outside controlled zones other than for slaughter

64

(1) The occupier of any premises not in a protection or surveillance zone to which day-old chicks are moved must ensure that they are not moved off the premises for at least 21 days from the date they arrived there if those chicks were—

(a) hatched from eggs originating in such a zone or from eggs which have come into contact with such eggs; and

(b) moved from a hatchery in such a zone.

(2) The occupier of any premises not in a protection zone or a surveillance zone to which ready-to-lay poultry or brood-and-move poultry from a protection or surveillance zone are moved must ensure that they are not moved off the premises for at least 21 days from the date they arrived there.

(3) The occupier of any premises outside a low pathogenic avian influenza restricted zone to which poultry are moved from such a zone must ensure that poultry other than day old chicks hatched from eggs originating outside the zone are not moved off the premises for at least 21 days from the date they arrived there.

(4) The occupier of any premises to which any thing is moved under this article must, for at least 21 days from the date the thing was moved to the premises, make the following daily records—

(a) the number or approximate number of poultry on the premises;

(b) the number of poultry falling ill on the premises;

(d) the amount of feed and, where possible, water being consumed by any poultry on the premises;

(e) any egg production on the premises.

(5) Records made under paragraph (4) must be kept for at least 6 weeks from the date the last record was made.

(6) The National Assembly must ensure that such veterinary inquiries as it considers necessary to monitor for avian influenza take place at the premises to which things are moved.

(7) The occupier of any premises to which poultry is moved under this article must, for at least 21 days from the date on which the poultry was moved to the premises, take such measures as may be directed by a veterinary inspector to reduce the risk of spread of avian influenza to poultry, other captive birds or wildlife, including a requirement to house or otherwise keep that poultry separate from other birds or mammals on the premises.

Movements to egg processing plants

65

(1) The occupier of an egg processing plant to which eggs are moved from suspect premises (under paragraph 6 of Schedule 1) or from infected premises during the unregulated period of infection (under article 24(2)(a)) must ensure that—

(a) the eggs are kept separate from other eggs at the plant from the time they arrive until they are processed;

(b) the shells of the eggs are disposed of;

(d) any person involved in the handling and processing of eggs takes appropriate biosecurity measures.

(2) The owner or driver of any vehicle used to transport eggs to an egg processing plant must ensure that it is cleansed and disinfected before the eggs are loaded and after they are unloaded.

(3) Any person involved in the transportation of eggs to an egg processing plant must take such biosecurity measures as he or she considers necessary to prevent the spread of disease.

Cleansing, disinfection and treatment

66

(1) Any person who is required by or under this Order to cleanse, disinfect or treat any premises (other than regulated places) or any thing (including any vehicle under his control) on those premises must do so in accordance with Schedule 3.

(2) Any person who is required under this Order to cleanse, disinfect or treat regulated places, any thing on those premises or any vehicle not referred to in paragraph (1) must do so in accordance with a veterinary inspector's instructions.

(3) The occupier of any premises required to be cleansed or disinfected under this Order, or on which cleansing and disinfection of any vehicle is so required, must provide adequate facilities, equipment and materials to carry out such cleansing and disinfection.

(4) A veterinary inspector may, by notice to the occupier of premises referred to in paragraph (1), provide that part of the premises the subject of that notice and which would otherwise be subject to the measures in Schedule 3 are subject instead to the measures in paragraph (2).

(5) Any person who is required to disinfect under this Order must—

(a) use disinfectants approved by the National Assembly under the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (Wales) Order 2007;

(b) use them at the concentrations approved under that Order; and

(i) the manufacturer's instructions (if any); or

(ii) (if different), the instructions of a veterinary inspector.

(6) A veterinary inspector may, by notice to the occupier of any premises where avian influenza or influenza of avian origin has been confirmed—

(a) prohibit the keeping of mammals, poultry or other captive birds on the premises or on any part of the premises where he or she believes avian influenza virus may still exist; and

(b) prohibit the entry of any person, vehicle, poultry, other captive bird, kept mammal or thing onto any premises or part of premises which he or she believes cannot be cleansed and disinfected.

(7) A veterinary inspector must not revoke a notice served under paragraph (6) unless—

(a) at least a year has passed since the date of effective cleansing and disinfection; ...

(b) (in the case of fields on the premises or of any other part of the premises which is not a building or part of a building), the Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed that he may do so; or

(c) cleansing and disinfection undertaken in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2) have been completed, and in the case of cleansing and disinfection in accordance with paragraph (2) a further 3 months and 21 days from the date of completion of preliminary cleansing and disinfection have elapsed.

Restocking

67

(1) Unless he or she is licensed by a veterinary inspector, no person is to restock with poultry or other captive birds suspect premises, infected premises or contact premises if poultry or other captive birds kept on those premises have been killed under paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 to the Act.

(2) A veterinary inspector must not license the restocking of commercial poultry premises until at least 21 days after the date final cleansing and disinfection was completed at the premises in accordance with Part 2 of Schedule 3.

(3) Where premises subject to measures set out in Schedules 1, 2 or 6 have been restocked, a veterinary inspector may vary those measures, by notice to the occupier of the premises.

Surveillance at restocked commercial poultry premises

68

(1) The National Assembly must ensure that the following measures are taken not more than 21 days after the date any poultry are brought onto commercial poultry premises for restocking—

(a) the examination of any poultry on the premises by a veterinary inspector;

(b) the taking from such poultry of such samples as the National Assembly requires and the laboratory testing of such samples for avian influenza in accordance with the diagnostic manual;

(c) the testing for avian influenza of such poultry which die on the premises as a veterinary inspector considers necessary.

(2) A veterinary inspector who examines poultry under paragraph (1)(a) may carry out more than one examination of the birds and must ensure that he or she carries out at least one examination as close as possible to the end of the 21 day period referred to in paragraph (1).

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