
Article 1 
This Decision lays down risk mitigation measures, certain reinforced biosecurity measures and early detection systems in relation to the risks posed by wild birds for the introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses into holdings, as well as measures to raise awareness among owners and others involved in the poultry sector of such risks and of the necessity to implement or reinforce biosecurity measures on their holdings.
Article 2 
For the purposes of this Decision, the definitions set out in Article 2 of Directive 2005/94/EC shall apply.In this Decision, the definitions in Council Directive 2005/94/EC are to be interpreted as if— 
(a) in point 18, the reference to  “competent authority” were a reference to the appropriate Minister;
(b) in point 25, the reference to  “Community vaccine bank” were a reference to the EU or any other vaccine bank;
(c) in point 29, in the reference to  “primary outbreak”, for the words  “Member State” to the end there were substituted “
                            constituent part of  Great Britain, or the first outbreak in a different constituent part of  Great Britain 
                          ”.For the purposes of this Decision—
(a) “the appropriate Minister” means—
(i) in relation to England, the Secretary of State;
(ii) in relation to Scotland, the Scottish Ministers;
(iii) in relation to Wales, the Welsh Ministers;
(b) “constituent part”, in relation to the United Kingdom, means England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Article 3 

1. Each authority who in relation to a constituent part of Great Britain is the appropriate Minister  shall identify the areas of their territory that are at particular risk for the introduction of HPAI viruses into holdings (‘high risk areas’), taking into account:
(a) the risk factors for the introduction of HPAI viruses into holdings, in particular with respect to:
((i)) their geographical location in areas ... through which migratory birds are travelling or where these birds are resting during their migratory movements after having entered the  EU  in particular via the north-eastern and eastern migratory routes;
((ii)) their proximity to wet areas, ponds, swamps, lakes, rivers or the sea where migratory birds, in particular those of the orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes, may gather and have their stop-over places;
((iii)) their geographical location in areas with a high density of migratory birds, particularly water birds;
((iv)) poultry kept in open-air holdings, where contact between wild birds and poultry cannot be prevented or sufficiently controlled;
((v)) current and past detections of HPAI viruses in poultry, other captive birds and wild birds;
(b) the risk factors for the spread of HPAI viruses within holdings and between holdings, in particular, where:
((i)) the geographical location of the holding is in an area with a high density of holdings, in particular those keeping ducks and geese and any poultry with open-air access;
((ii)) the intensity of movements of vehicles transporting poultry and of persons within and from holdings, and where other direct and indirect contacts between holdings is high;
(c) risk assessments and scientific advice in relation to the relevance of the spread of HPAI viruses by wild birds carried out by ... national and international risk assessment bodies;
(d) the results of surveillance programmes carried out in accordance with Article 4 of Directive 2005/94/EC.
2. Each authority who in relation to a constituent part of  Great Britain  is the appropriate Minister  shall ensure that stakeholders active in the poultry sector, including small-size holdings are informed by the most appropriate means about the delineation of the high risk areas identified in accordance with paragraph 1.
3. Each authority who in relation to a constituent part of  Great Britain  is the appropriate Minister
                      shall keep the extent of the delineation of the high risk areas under constant review.
Article 4 

1. authority who in relation to a constituent part of Great Britain is the appropriate Minister  shall continuously monitor the specific epidemiological situation on their territory, taking also into account the threats posed by the detection of HPAI in poultry, other captive birds and wild birds in other ..., as well as the risk assessments referred to in Article 3(1)(c).
2. The appropriate Minister  shall take appropriate and practicable measures in high risk areas to reduce the risk of the transmission of HPAI viruses from wild birds to poultry.
3. The risk mitigation and reinforced biosecurity measures shall be aimed at preventing wild birds, and in particular migratory water birds, from coming into direct or indirect contact with poultry and in particular ducks and geese.
4. Depending on the assessment of the epidemiological situation referred to in paragraph 1,  The appropriate Minister  shall prohibit the following activities in high risk areas:
(a) the keeping together of ducks and geese with other poultry species, unless:
((i)) the risk of virus introduction is deemed insignificant due to the characteristics of the holding and the risk mitigation measures in place that are considered sufficient by the competent authority; or
((ii)) poultry species other than ducks and geese are used as sentinels according to the provisions of the competent authority;
(b) the keeping of poultry in the open air, unless:
((i)) the poultry are protected against contact with wild birds with nets, roofs, horizontal fabrics or by other appropriate means to prevent contact; or
((ii)) the poultry are supplied with feed and water indoors or under a shelter which sufficiently discourages the access of wild birds and thereby prevents contact by wild birds with the feed or water intended for the poultry;
(c) the use of outdoor water reservoirs for poultry; unless required for animal welfare reasons for certain poultry and they are sufficiently screened against wild birds;
(d) the provision of water to poultry from surface water reservoirs that can be accessed by wild birds; unless the water undergoes treatment that ensures the inactivation of avian influenza viruses;
(e) the gathering of poultry and other captive birds at markets, shows, exhibitions and cultural events; unless such events are organised and managed in such a way that the risk of virus spread by possibly infected birds to other birds is reduced to a minimum;
(f) the use of decoy birds of the orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes; unless they are used in the framework of a surveillance programme for avian influenza carried out in accordance with Article 4 of Directive 2005/94/EC, research projects, ornithological studies or any other activity permitted by the competent authority;
(g) the release of poultry for restocking supplies of game birds; unless authorised by the competent authorities under the condition that:
((i)) these activities are separated from other holdings; and
((ii)) the poultry for restocking have been tested virologically in accordance with point 4(a) of Chapter IV of the diagnostic manual for avian influenza set out in the Annex to Commission Decision 2006/437/EC with negative results for avian influenza on samples taken from each production unit within 48 hours before their release.
5. The appropriate Minister  may, on the basis of the regular review of the measures in accordance with Article 5, extend or limit the scope and the period of application of the risk mitigation and reinforced biosecurity measures referred to in paragraph 4.
6. The appropriate Minister  shall encourage the poultry sector to support training activities on risk mitigation and reinforced biosecurity measures for poultry owners, to develop holding-specific biosecurity plans and to monitor the application of biosecurity measures.
Article 5 

1. The appropriate Minister  shall maintain the measures applied pursuant to Article 4(4) in the high risk areas for the time period during which the heightened risk for HPAI virus introduction and spread persists on their territory.
2. Each authority who in relation to a constituent part of the United Kingdom is the appropriate Minister  shall regularly review the measures they have taken pursuant to Article 4(4) in order to adjust and adapt them to the prevailing epidemiological situation, in particular as regards the risks posed by wild birds.
3. The appropriate Minister  shall base the review referred to in paragraph 2 on the assessment of the following factors:
(a) the development of the disease situation in wild birds, the epidemiological curve, namely, the number of new infections per time unit, the mapping of positive and negative findings and the dynamics of infection;
(b) the presence of species of migratory and sedentary wild birds, in particular those identified as target species for avian influenza surveillance;
(c) the occurrence of HPAI outbreaks in poultry and other captive birds, in particular as a consequence of primary virus introduction from wild birds;
(d) the detection of HPAI in poultry, other captive birds and wild birds during ongoing surveillance;
(e) the HPAI virus subtype or subtypes, virus evolution and the potential relevance to human health;
(f) the epidemiological situation for HPAI in wild birds, poultry and other captive birds on the territory of nearby ... countries and risk assessments performed by ..., national and international risk assessment bodies;
(g) the level of implementation and efficiency of the measures laid down in this Decision.
Article 6 
The appropriate Minister  shall ensure that the necessary measures are in place to raise awareness among stakeholders active in the poultry sector including small-size holdings of the risks for HPAI virus introduction into holdings and to provide them with the most appropriate information on risk mitigation and reinforced biosecurity measures as provided for in Article 4, in particular the measures to be enforced in high risk areas, by the means best suited to bring such information to their attention.
The appropriate Minister shall also raise awareness of groups involved in wildlife activities including ornithologists, bird watchers and hunters.
Article 7 

1. The appropriate Minister  shall introduce or reinforce existing early detection systems aimed at rapid reporting by the owners to the competent authority of any sign of HPAI virus presence in flocks of poultry kept on holdings located in high risk areas.
2. The systems referred to in paragraph 1 shall, at least, consider as relevant parameters that indicate the likely presence of disease, a significant drop in feed and water intake and in egg production, the observed mortality rate and any clinical sign or post-mortem lesion suggesting HPAI virus presence taking into account a variation of these parameters in different poultry species and production types.
Article 8 

1. The appropriate Minister  shall ensure that increased surveillance of wild bird populations and further monitoring for dead or sick birds is carried out in accordance with the guidelines on the implementation of surveillance programmes for avian influenza in wild birds set out in Annex II to Commission Decision 2010/367/EU adopted in accordance with Article 4(2) of Directive 2005/94/EC.
2. The appropriate Minister  may target sampling and laboratory testing of wild birds on species and geographical areas previously unaffected by HPAI.
Article 9 

1. Where the presence of the HPAI virus is confirmed in samples taken from one or more wild birds or their faeces and where an increased risk for virus introduction into holdings or a possible risk for public health has been identified,  the appropriate Minister  shall take additional temporary measures in the vicinity of that finding, which shall include:
(a) the implementation of risk mitigation and reinforced biosecurity measures in accordance with Article 4;
(b) increased surveillance in wild birds in accordance with Article 8;
(c) if necessary, epidemiological investigations and visits to holdings including as appropriate, sampling and testing for HPAI;
(d) the introduction and reinforcement of early detection systems in accordance with Article 7.
2. The appropriate Minister may limit the application of some of the measures referred to in paragraph 1, if the risk of the introduction of the HPAI virus is deemed by the competent authority to be negligible for certain parts of the ... territory or certain types of holdings.
Article 10 

1. The appropriate Minister  shall arrange for the monitoring of the implementation by owners and the poultry sector of the measures laid down in this Decision.
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Article 11 
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Done at Brussels, 10 August 2018.
For the Commission
Vytenis ANDRIUKAITIS
Member of the Commission