294 tal-2005 - Regoli tal-2005 dwar il-Kontroll u l-Iżradikar tal-Marda Bluetongue

L.N. 294 of 2005

VETERINARY SERVICES ACT

(CAP. 437)

Control and Eradication of the Blue Tongue Disease rules, 2005

By virtue of the powers conferred by Article 5 of the Veterinary

Services Act, 2002, the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment

has made the following rules>-

(1) The title of these rules is the Control and Eradication of

the Blue Tongue Disease Rules, 2005.

(2) These rules transpose Directive 2000#75#EC and in

accordance with such Directive lay down rules and measures for the

control and eradication of the swine vesicular disease and the blue tongue

disease. These rules shall lay down improvisions on the movement of

susceptible species and their semen, ova and embryos from areas subject

to restrictions arising from an outbreak of the disease therein.

For the purposes of these regulations, the following definitions

shall apply>-

“animal” means any animal belonging to a susceptible species,

excluding wild animals with regard to which specific provisions

may be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in

rule 20(2) of these regulations<

“the competent authority” means the Veterinary Services

responsible for conducting veterinary checks, or any other

veterinary authority to which it has delegated this competence<

“confirmation” means the declaration by the competent

authority, based on laboratory results, that the bluetongue virus is

circulating in a specific area< however, in the event of an epidemic,

the competent authority, may also confirm the presence of the

disease on the basis of clinical and, or epidemiological results<

“holding” means any agricultural or other establishment where

animals of species susceptible to bluetongue are permanently or

temporarily reared or kept<

“official veterinarian” means the veterinarian designated by

the competent authority<

“owner” or “holder” means any natural or legal person owning

the animals or responsible for their upkeep, whether in return for

payment or not<

“susceptible species” means all ruminants<

“suspicion” means the appearance of any clinical sign

suggesting bluetongue in a susceptible species, together with a set

of epidemiological data enabling such a possibility to be reasonably

envisaged<

“vector” means an insect of the species Culicoides imicola or

any other insect of the genus Culicoides capable of transmitting

bluetongue, to be identified according to the procedure laid down

in rule 20(2),on the advice of the Scientific Veterinary Committee<

Any person shall ensure the immediate, compulsory Notification of

bluetongue virus.

notification to the competent authority if circulation of the bluetongue

virus is suspected or confirmed.

(1) The competent authority shall ensure that if a holding Suspected

bluetongue.

located in a region not subject to restrictions within the meaning of

these rules, has one or more animals suspected of being infected with

bluetongue, the competent authority shall ensure that the official

veterinarian immediately implements official methods of investigation

to confirm or rule out the presence of the disease.

(2) The official veterinarian shall, as soon as notification is

given of suspected presence>-

(a) place the suspect holding or holdings under official

surveillance<

(b) (i) compile an inventory of the animals, indicating for

each species the number of animals already dead, infected, or likely

to be infected and update this inventory to take account of the

animals which are born or die during the period in which the disease

is suspected, provided that the data from this inventory must be

produced on request and may be checked during each visit<

(ii) compile an inventory of places likely to facilitate

the survival of, or the harbouring of the vector and in particular

of the sites conducive to its reproduction<

(iii) carry out an epidemiological survey in accordance

with rule 7 of these rules<

(c) make regular visits to such holdings and on each

occasion, conduct a detailed clinical examination or an autopsy of

animals that are dead or suspected of infection and confirm the

disease, if necessary, by means of laboratory tests< and

(d) ensure that>-

(i) any movement of animals from or to such holdings

is prohibited<

(ii) the animals are confined at times when the vectors

are active,where he considers that the means required for

implementing these measures are available<

(iii) the animals, the buildings used to house them and

their surroundings, in particular habitats in which the

Culicoides populations thrive, are regularly treated with

authorised insecticides< provided that to prevent infestations

by the vectors as far as possible ,the rate of treatment shall be

fixed by the competent authority, taking account of the

persistence of the insecticide used and the climatic conditions<

(iv) the carcases of the dead animals at the holding are

destroyed, eliminated, incinerated or buried in accordance

with Council Directive 90#667#EEC of the 27 th November,

1990 laying down the veterinary rules for the disposal and

processing of animal waste ,for its placing on the market and

for the prevention of pathogens in feeding stuffs of animal or

fish origin, and amending Directive 90#425#EEC.

(3) The owner or the holder of any animal suspected of being

infected with the disease, shall take all precautionary measures to comply

with pending implementation of the measures referred to in sub-rule

(2)(d)(i)and (ii)>

Provided that the competent authority may apply the measures

referred to in sub-rule (2) to other holdings in the event that their location,

geographical situation or contacts with the holding where the disease is

suspected provides grounds for suspecting the possibility of

contamination.

(4) In addition to the provisions of sub-rule (2), specific

provisions may be laid down, according to the procedure provided for

in rule 20(2) of these rules for nature reserves in which animals live

freely.

(5) The official veterinarian shall not lift the measures

referred to in this rule until the suspected presence of bluetongue has

been ruled out by the competent authority.

No person may carry out vaccination against the bluetongue Vaccination

procedure.

disease unless it is carried out only in accordance with the provisions

laid down in these rules.

(1) When the presence of bluetongue is officially confirmed, Confirmation of the

disease.

the official veterinarian shall>-

(a) proceed with informing the competent authority, which

shall inform the Commission thereof, with the slaughter deemed

necessary to prevent extension of the epidemic<

(b) order the destruction, elimination, incineration or burial

of the carcasses of those animals, in accordance with Directive

90#667#EEC<

(c) extend the measures provided for in rule 4 to holdings

located within a radius of 20 kilometers (including the protection

zone defined in rule 8) around any such infected holding<

(d) implement the measures adopted in accordance with the

procedure laid down in rule 20(2), in particular with regard to the

introduction of any vaccination programme or other alternative

measure< provided that if need be, the competent authority may,

after informing the Commission thereof, take the initiative of

starting a vaccination programme<

(e) carry out an epidemiological survey in accordance with

rule 7. So however that by way of derogation from paragraph (c),

provisions applicable to movements of animals in the zone may

be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in rule

20(2).

(2) The competent authority may extend or reduce the zone

referred to in sub-rule (1) (c), on the basis of epidemiological,

geographical, ecological or meteorological circumstances established

by the competent authority which shall notify the Commission thereof.

(1) The epidemiological survey shall concern>-

(a) the duration of the period for which bluetongue may

have been present at the holding<

(b) the possible origin of bluetongue at the holding and the

identification of other holdings, which have animals that may have

been infected or contaminated from the same source<

(c)

the presence and distribution of vectors of the disease<

(d) movements of animals from or to the holdings in

question, or any departure of animal carcasses from those holdings.

(2) The competent authority shall establish a national crisis

unit, to carry out the overall coordination of all the measures necessary

for ensuring the eradication of bluetongue as soon as possible and to

conduct the epidemiological survey>

Provided that general rules concerning the national crisis unit

and the Community crisis unit shall be laid down according to the

procedure provided for in rule 20(2).

(1) The competent authority shall ensure that, in addition to

the measures referred to in rule 6, it shall demarcate a protection zone

and a surveillance zone. Demarcation of the zones must take into account

the geographical, administrative, ecological and epizootiological actors,

connected with bluetongue and the control arrangements.

(2) (a) The protection zone shall consist of a part of the

Community territory having a radius of at least 100 kilometers around

the infected holding.

(b) The surveillance zone shall consist of a part of the

Community territory with a depth of at least 50 kilometers extending

beyond the limits of the protection zone and in which no vaccination

has been carried out during the previous twelve months.

(c) Where the zones are located on the territory of more

than one Member State, the competent authorities of the Member States

concerned shall cooperate for the purpose of demarcating the zones

referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) hereof.

(d) However, the protection and surveillance zones shall if

necessary, be demarcated according to the procedure laid down in

rule 20(2).

(3) On receipt of a duly substantiated request from a Member

State, a decision may be taken, in accordance with the procedure laid

down in rule 20(2), to change the demarcation of the zones defined in

sub-rule (2),in the light of>-

(a)

their geographical location and ecological factors<

(b) meteorological conditions<

(c)

the presence and distribution of the vector<

(d) the results of epizootiological studies carried out

pursuant to rule 7<

(e)

the results of laboratory tests<

(f) the application of counter measures, in particular

disinsectisation.

(1) the competent authority shall ensure that the following Measures applied in

protection zone.

measures are applied in the protection zone>

(a)

the identification of all holdings with animals inside the

zone<

(b) the implementation by the competent authority of an

epidemio surveillance programme based on the monitoring of

sentinel groups of bovine animals, or, in their absence, of other

species of ruminant and vector populations< provided that this

programme may be laid down according to the procedure provided

for in rule 20(2)<

(c) a ban on animals leaving the zone, so however, under

the procedure laid down in rule 20(2), exemptions from the exit

ban may be decided upon, in particular for animals situated in part

of the zone where there is a proven absence of viral circulation or

of vectors.

(2) The competent authority may in addition to the measures

laid down in sub-rule (1), carry out the vaccination of animals against

bluetongue and their identification in the protection zone which may be

decided upon, according to the procedure laid down in rule 20, or upon

its initiative after informing the Commission.

(1) The competent authority shall ensure that the measures

Measures applied in

provided for in Article 9(1) apply in the surveillance zone<

(2) The competent authority shall prohibit any vaccination

against bluetongue in the surveillance zone.

The measures taken pursuant to rules 6,8,9 and 10 of these

subject to procedure

rules shall be amended or repealed in accordance with the procedure

laid down in rule 20(2).

By way of derogation from rules 9 and 10 of these rules, the

provisions applicable to movements of animals in and from the

protection and surveillance zones shall be determined in accordance

with the procedure laid down in rule 20(2)>

Provided that when such decision is adopted, the rules applicable

to trade shall be determined in accordance with the same procedure.

The competent authority shall, if the bluetongue epidemic is

of an exceptionally serious nature, take any additional measures in

accordance with the procedure laid down in rule 20(2).

The competent authority shall take all the necessary measures

Persons in restricted

so that all persons in the protection and surveillance zones are fully

informed of the restrictions in force and shall make any arrangements

that are required for the proper implementation of the measures in

question.

(1) The competent authority shall designate a national

laboratory responsible for carrying out the laboratory tests provided for

in these rules. This national laboratory, the other national laboratories

of Member States, including their powers and obligations, shall be listed

in Annex I.

(2) The national laboratories listed in Annex I shall

cooperate with the Community reference laboratory referred to in rule

16. The Community reference laboratory for bluetongue is

indicated in Annex II. Without prejudice to the provisions laid down in

Decision 90#424#EEC,in particular Article 28 thereof, the tasks of this

laboratory are set out in Annex II(B).

(1) Experts from the Commission may, where necessary On-spot checks.

in order to ensure the uniform application of the Directive 2000#75#EC

transposed by these rules, and in collaboration with the competent

authority, carry out on-the-spot checks. For this purpose, they may

inspect a representative percentage of holdings in order to verify whether

the competent authorities monitor compliance with the provisions of

this Directive.

(2) If the Commission carries out a check in accordance

with rule 16 of these rules, the competent authority shall provide the

experts with all the necessary assistance in the performance of their

task. The general implementing rules for this article shall be laid down

in accordance with the procedure provided for in rule 20(2).

(1) The competent authority shall draw up a contingency Contingency plan.

plan indicating the means by which it applies the measures laid down

in these rules>

Provided that this plan must provide for access to plant,

equipment, personnel and any other appropriate facility necessary for

the swift and effective eradication of the disease.

(2) The criteria to be applied for drawing up the plans

referred to in sub-rule (1) are set out in Annex III>

Provided that plans drawn up pursuant to these criteria shall

be submitted to the Commission no later than three months after the

entry into force of this Directive.

(3) The Commission shall examine the plans, in order to

determine whether they enable the desired objective to be attained and

shall if necessary, suggest to the competent authority to carry out any

modification required, inter alia, in order to guarantee that the plans

are compatible with those of the other Member States>

Provided that the Commission shall approve the plans, if

necessary with modifications, in accordance with the procedure laid

down in rule 20(2) and the competent authority may subsequently modify

or supplement the plans, in accordance with the same procedure, to

take account of developments in the situation.

Any detailed provisions necessary for the implementation of Detailed provisions.

these rules shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down

in rule 20(2).

Standing Veterinary

(1) The Commission shall be assisted by the Standing

Veterinary Committee.

(2) Wherever in these rules reference is made to this rule,

Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999#468#EC shall apply. The period laid

down in Article 5(6)of Decision 1999#468#EC shall be set at 15 days.

(3) The Committee shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.

ANNEX I

-

A.LIST OF THE NATIONAL BLUETONGUE LABORATORIES

Belgium:Centrum voor Onderzoek in Diergeneeskunde en

Agrochemie (CODA)—Centre d'études et de

recherches vétérinaires et agrochimiques

(CERVA)

Groeselenbergstraat 99 —Rue Groeselenberg 99

B-1180

Brussel —Bruxelles

Tel.(32-2)375 44 55

Fax (32-2)375 09 79

E-mail:piker@var.fgov.be

Czech Republic:Institute for Animal Health

Pirbright Laboratory

Ash Road,Pirbright

Woking

Surrey GU24 ONF

United Kingdom

Denmark:Statens Veterinære Institut for Virusforskning

Lindholm

DK-4771

Kalvehave

Tlf.(45)55 86 02 00

Fax (45)55 86 03 00

E-post:sviv@vetvirus.dk

Germany:Bundesforschungsanstalt für Viruskrankheiten der

Tiere

Anstaltsteil Tübingen

Postfach 11 49

D-72001

Tübingen

Tel.(49)70 71 96 72 55

Fax (49)70 71 96 73 03

Estonia:Veterinaar-ja Toidulaboratoorium

Kreutzwaldi 3051006

Tartu

Greece:Ministry of Agriculture

Centre of Athens Veterinary Institutions

Virus Department

Neapoleos Str.25

GR-15310

Ag.Paraskevi

Athens

Tel.(30-1)601 14 99/601 09 03

Fax (30-1)639 94 77

Spain:Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal INIA-

CISA

D.José Manuel Sánchez Vizcaíno

Carretera de Algete-El Casar,km 8,Valdeolmos

E-20180

Madrid

Tel.(34)916 20 22 16

Fax (34)916 20 22 47

e-mail:vizcaino@inia.es

France:CIRAD-EMVT

Campus international de Baillarguet

BP 5035

F-34032

Montpellier Cedex 1

Tel.(33-4)67 59 37 24

Fax (33-4)67 59 37 98

E-mail:bastron@cirad.fr

Ireland:Central Veterinary Research Laboratory

Abbotstown

Castleknock

Dublin 15

Ireland

Tel.(353-1)607 26 79

Fax (353-1)822 03 63

E-mail:reillypj@indigo.ie

Italy:CESME presso IZS

Via Campo Boario

I-64100

Teramo

Tel.(39)0861 33 22 16

Fax (39)0861 33 22 51

E-mail:Cesme@IZS.it

Cyprus:Εργαστήριο Αναφοράς για τις Ασθένειες των

Ζώων ,

Κτηνιατρικές Υπηρεσίες 1417

Λευκωσία

(National Reference Laboratory for Animal Health

Veterinary Services

CY-1417

Nicosia)

Latvia:Valsts veterin a rmedic i nas diagnostikas centrs

Lejupes iela 3

LV-1076

R i ga

Lithuania:Nacionalin veterinarijos laboratorija

J.Kairi u kš è io g.10

LT-2021

Vilnius

Luxembourg:Centre d'études et de recherches vétérinaires et

agrochimiques (CERVA)

Rue Groeselenberg 99

B-1180

Bruxelles

Tel.(32-2)375 44 55

Fax (32-2)375 09 79

E-mail:piker@var.fgov.be

Hungary:Országos Állategészségügyi Intézet (OÁI)

Pf.2.

Tábornok u.2.

HU-1581

Budapest

Malta:Istituto Zooprofilatico dell'Abruzzo e Molise

Via Campo Boario

IT-64100

Teramo

Netherlands:ID-DLO

Edelhertweg 158219 PH

Lelystad

Nederland

Tel.(0031-0320)23 82 38

Fax (0031-0320)23 80 50

E-mail:postkamer@id.dlo.nl

Austria:Bundesanstalt für Virusseuchenbekämpfung bei

Haustieren

Robert Kochgasse 17

A-2340

Mödling

Tel.(43-2)236 466 40-0

Fax (43-2)236 466 40-941

E-mail:BATSB VetMoedling@compuserve.com

Poland:Laboratorium Zak³adu Wirusologii Pa ñ stwowego

Instytutu Weterynaryjnego

Al.Partyzantów 57

PL-24-100

Pu³awy

Portugal:Laboratório Nacional de Investigação Veterinária

Estrada de Benfica,701

P-1549-011

Lisboa

Tel.(351)21 711 52 00

Fax (351)21 711 53 836

E-mail:dir.Inlv@mail.telepac.pt

Slovenia:Nacionalni veterinarski inštitut,

Gerbi è eva 60

SI-1000

Ljubljana

Slovakia:Institute for Animal Health Pirbright Laboratory

Ash Road,Pirbright,

Woking,

Surrey GU24 ONF

United Kingdom

Finland:Danish Institute for Virus Research

Lindholm

DK-4771

Kalvehave

Tlf.(45)55 86 02 00

Fax (45)55 86 03 00

E-mail:sviv@vetvirus.dk

Sweden:Statens veterinärmedicinska anstalt,SVA

S-751 89

Uppsala

Tfn (00-46)18 67 40 00

Fax (00-46)18 30 91 62

E-post:sva@sva.se

United Kingdom:Institute for Animal Health

Pirbright Laboratory

Ash Road

Pirbright

Woking

Surrey GU24 ONF

United Kingdom

Tel.(44-1483)23 24 41

Fax (44-1483)23 24 48

E-mail:philip-mellor@bbsrc.ac.uk

B.TASKS OF THE NATIONAL LABORATORIES FOR BLUETONGUE

The national laboratories for bluetongue are responsible for the co-ordination of the standards and

diagnostic methods laid down by each diagnostic laboratory in the Member State, the use of reagents and

the testing of vaccines.

To this end

(a)They may supply diagnostic reagents to diagnostic laboratories which

request them;

(b)They check the quality of all the diagnostic reagents used in the Member

State;

(c)They organize comparative tests at regular intervals;

(d)They preserve isolates of the bluetongue virus taken from confirmed

cases in the Member State;

(e)They ensure confirmation of positive results obtained in regional diagnostic laboratories.

ANNEX II

A.COMMUNITY REFERENCE LABORATORY FOR BLUETONGUE

AFRC Institute for Animal Health

Pirbright Laboratory

Ash Road

Pirbright Woking

Surrey GU24 ONF

United Kingdom

Tel.(44-1483)23 24 41

Fax (44-1483)23 24 48

E-mail:philip-mellor@bbsrc.ac.uk

B.TASKS OF THE COMMUNITY REFERENCE LABORATORY FOR

BLUETONGUE

The Community reference laboratory has the following tasks

1.Coordinating, in consultation with the Commission, diagnostic methods for bluetongue in the Member

States, in particular by

(a)Specifying, holding and supplying strains of the bluetongue virus for the purpose of serological tests and

the preparation of antiserum;

(b)The provision of reference sera and other reference reagents to the national reference laboratories for the

purpose of standardizing the tests and the reagents used in each Member State;

(c)The establishment and conservation of a collection of strains and

isolates of the bluetongue virus;

(d)The regular organization of Community comparative testing of diag-

nostic procedures;

T

(e)The collection and collation of data and information concerning the

diagnostic methods used and the results of the tests carried out in

the Community;

(f)The classification of isolates of the bluetongue virus,using the most

advanced methods,in order to provide a better understanding of the

epizootiology of bluetongue;

(g)Monitoring developments worldwide in the area of surveillance,

epizootiology and prevention of bluetongue;

2.Actively assisting in the identification of centres of bluetongue infection in

the Member States by studying viral isolates sent to it for confirmation of

diagnosis,classification and epizootiological studies;

3.Facilitating the provision of training and refresher courses for experts in

laboratory diagnostics with a view to harmonising diagnostic techniques

throughout the Community;

4.Mutual and reciprocal information exchange with the World Bluetongue

Laboratory designated by the International Office for Epizootics (OIE),

in particular concerning global developments with regard to bluetongue.

ANNEX III

MINIMUM CRITERIA APPLICABLE TO CONTINGENCY PLANS

The contingency plans must provide for at least the following

1.The establishment at national level of a crisis unit to coordinate all emergency measures in the Member

State concerned;

2.A list of local emergency centres adequately equipped for the purpose of coordinating control measures at

local level;

3.Detailed information on the personnel responsible for emergency measures,

their qualifications and their responsibilities;

4.The possibility, for each local centre, of swiftly contacting persons or orga-

nisations directly or indirectly affected by an outbreak;

5.The availability of the equipment and materials necessary for the proper

implementation of emergency measures;

6.Precise instructions regarding the steps to be taken, including means of

destroying carcasses, when cases of infection or contamination are suspected

and confirmed;

7.Training programmes for updating and enhancing knowledge of procedures

on the ground and administrative procedures;

8.For the diagnostic laboratories, an autopsy function, the capability required

for conducting serological and histological tests, etc. and the updating of rapid diagnostic techniques

(provisions on the swift transportation of samples should be laid down for this purpose);

9.Information concerning the quantity of vaccines against bluetongue deemed necessary in case emergency

vaccination needs to be reintroduced;

10.Regulatory provisions for implementing the contingency plans.

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