S.L. 437.80 ст. 4Suspected bluetongue.

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

(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 populations thrive, are Culicoides 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 Regulation EC 1069/2009 laying down Health Rules as regards Animal By-products and Derived Products not Intended for Human Consumption and repealing Regulation EC 1774/2002 (Animal by-products Regulation), which provisions shall be read without prejudice to the Waste Regulations.

(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, in accordance with the procedure provided in the definition "Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health" under rule 2, 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.