Understanding the Regulations

Published on : 12 Dec 2021

Legislation

The Government’s planned response to AI is detailed in the “Notifiable Avian Disease Control Strategy for Great Britain”. There are several pieces of domestic legislation that work in combination to enforce EU and international requirements. More detailed information can be found in this document, which is updated annually and will list the latest legislation and guidance, see the link below to find and download the latest version.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notifiable-avian-disease-control-strategy-2015

This not only sets out the rules that APHA will follow to control the outbreak but also outlines the basic steps you have to carry out for final cleansing and disinfection. It is important that you remain compliant with legislative requirements throughout the disease control operation to avoid any enforcement action.

Timeline

Once all poultry on site have been culled and transported from the site APHA will carry out preliminary cleansing and disinfection. Any external areas contaminated during depopulation will be cleansed of organic matter. The sheds will then be closed and an approved disinfectant, will be sprayed inside the sheds and over external areas that may have been contaminated. The whole site will then be closed for 24 hours with no-one allowed to enter it. [During this time APHA may start demobilising any plant and equipment from the site such as telehandlers and temporary welfare units and offices.]

It is usually only after the farm has been depopulated that a meeting between local APHA and the farm owner is held to discuss final cleaning and disinfection. This document is designed to help you prepare for that process. Attending this meeting will be representatives from the other operational partners which include the relevant environment agency, public health body and possibly local council environmental and trading standards

Notice to carry out C&D

After Preliminary C&D has been completed APHA will serve a notice (EXD23(AI) requiring the owner/keeper of the premises to carry out cleansing and disinfection. This is an important step towards gaining country freedom from disease and must be performed before the process of lifting restrictions and restocking can begin. A second notice, called a Schedule of Works (EXD158) is then issued. This form gives specific details of exactly how the C&D processed will be applied .

It requires detailed procedures for:

• Litter/manure removal and disposal route

• Cleaning, washing and disinfection of each shed (including equipment), other buildings and external areas

• Type of cleanser and disinfectant to be used

• Wash-water handling & disposal

• A DATE FOR COMPLETION

When each of the tasks listed the Schedule of Works is completed a written record must be made of when it was done and any changes to the operating procedure. This is then used by the C&D Veterinary Officer when undertaking the final inspection.

You must be aware that APHA reserves the right to supervise all or part of the cleansing and disinfection process. All activities must be carried out in accordance with any written or verbal instructions issued by APHA or any other regulatory body. Failing to comply with this requirement may lead to enforcement action.