Newcastle Disease: Disease Control (Slaughter) Protocol
The Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease (England and Wales) Order 2003 (Statutory Instrument 2003 No 1734) came into force on 11 July 2003. It extends to avian influenza and Newcastle disease certain measures introduced by the Animal Health Act 2002, including the power to slaughter animals to prevent the spread of disease (a preventive or firebreak cull). The use of this power is circumscribed by legislation. In particular there is a need to have a disease control (slaughter) protocol and this requirement was introduced by The Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease (Biosecurity Guidance and Disease Control (Slaughter) Protocol) (England and Wales) Order 2003 (Statutory Instrument 2003 No 2035). The power cannot be used unless the protocol has been published and vaccination has first been considered to prevent the spread of disease (Section 32D(2) of the Animal Health Act 1981 as amended). The purpose of this disease control (slaughter) protocol is to identify criteria to be considered and procedures to be followed should it be considered necessary to call on this new slaughter power.
The definition of ‘poultry’ in the Animal Health Act 1981 as amended has been extended to include all birds (Article 2 of the Diseases of Poultry (England) Order 2003 and the Diseases of Poultry (Wales) Order 2003).
Purpose for Which the Power Would Be Used
This power would be used only where this is justified by the circumstances of the possibility of disease spreading and on the basis of sound veterinary, epidemiological and scientific advice.
The Principal Factors to be Taken into Account
A major factor will be to get ahead of the disease. A particular example would be to protect areas of dense poultry population. The slaughter would include those flocks (and, if necessary, other birds) which, should they become infected, would present a significant risk to the farming and poultry community more generally by contributing to onward spread. It is in such circumstances that effective preventative action may be necessary to safeguard the wider public interest. Species, geographical area and, if appropriate, type of farming would be relevant. Any decision to use the wider powers of slaughter would be taken in the light of an overall assessment of the risks, costs and benefits in a given situation. This could include not only risks of transmission but also the potential social and economic costs that would arise if effective and timely action were not taken.
The procedure to be followed in reaching a decision
The steps to be taken comprise of:
- the identification of the poultry that are likely to contribute to spread of disease, based on epidemiological assessment, veterinary advice and local factors;
- the determination of which species are involved;
- consideration of exemptions on the basis of husbandry or other criteria, for example, rare breeds or genetic value;
- consideration of exemptions for hatcheries;
- the determination of the geographical area involved;
- the determination of the rules for inclusion or exclusion of poultry at the boundary of that area;
- analysis of risks, costs and benefits;
- the publication of an outline of the reasons why such a slaughter is needed.
The procedure by which poultry on a premises will be deemed to be included in a slaughter
Premises believed to contain poultry to be slaughtered to prevent the spread of disease would be identified. A Veterinary Inspector would visit and ascertain if poultry meet the criteria for inclusion in the preventive cull.
The Veterinary Inspector would be required to explain the reasons to the owner and give him an opportunity to provide evidence if he believed the poultry should be exempted. A slaughter notice would be issued that states the powers under which slaughter is required and the reason why the owner's stock is included (with reference to the criteria for slaughter to prevent the spread of disease).
The means by which a particular decision to slaughter can be reviewed
Both as part of the slaughter notice and during explanations the owner must be made aware that they can ask the DVM to review the decision that their stock meets the criteria for the preventive slaughter and be advised how and by when this can be done.
The DVM, or deputy, must be available to hear such reviews. The following action would be taken:
- they will consider the views of the owner as to why they believe the decision is wrong.
- they must ensure that the veterinary inspector has carried out a full and fair inquiry to establish if the poultry meet the appropriate criteria.
Page last modified:
01 August 2005, 4:13 PM