S.L. 437.80 Art. 6Confirmation of the disease.

(1) When the presence of bluetongue is officially confirmed, 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 Regulation EC 1069/2009, which provisions shall be read without prejudice to the Waste Regulations;

(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 provided in the definition "Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health" under rule 2, in particular with regard to the introduction of any vaccination programme or other alternative measures;

(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 provided in the definition "Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health" under rule 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.