S.L. 437.109 Art. 18Investigation Procedures.

(1) Where carrier pigeons or birds kept in captivity are suspected of being infected with Newcastle disease, the official veterinarian will immediately start the official investigation procedures for confirming or notifying the presence of the disease; in particular he shall take adequate samples for laboratory examination or see that they are taken.

(2) As soon as it has been notified of the suspicion, the competent authority shall place the holding or pigeon house under official surveillance and order that no pigeon or bird kept in captivity, and nothing likely to transmit Newcastle disease, may leave the pigeon house or holding.

(3) The measures provided for in sub-rules (1) and (2) shall not be withdrawn until the suspicion of Newcastle disease has been ruled out by the official veterinarian. NEWCASTLE DISEASE

(4) As soon as the presence of Newcastle disease has been officially confirmed, the competent authority shall, order: inter alia,

(a) application of the control and eradication measures provided for in rule 5(1)(a), (b), (e) and (f) to the carrier pigeons or birds kept in captivity and pigeon houses infected with Newcastle disease; or

(b) at least:

(i) a ban on movement of the pigeons or birds kept in captivity outside the pigeon house or holding for at least sixty (60) days after the clinical signs of Newcastle disease have disappeared;

(ii) destruction or treatment of any matter or waste likely to be contaminated. Treatment must guarantee the destruction of any Newcastle disease virus present and all waste that has accumulated during the sixty-day (60) period referred to in sub-paragraph (i);

(c) an epizootiological inquiry in accordance with rule 7.

(5) To the extent that it is required for the proper application of the measures laid down in this rule, the competent authority shall submit to the Commission, within the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed, information on the disease situation and the control measures applied.