Republic of Latvia Cabinet Regulation No. 741 Adopted 6 November 2007

Regulations Regarding the Procedures for the Control and Combating of Salmonellosis and Other Infectious Diseases Transmitted Through Food in Poultry Flocks Intended for the Production of Foodstuffs in Small Quantities and for Direct Supply to a Final Consumer

Issued pursuant to
Section 25, Clauses 4 and 8
of the Veterinary Medicine Law

I. General Provisions

1. The Regulation prescribes the procedures for the control and combating of salmonellosis and other infectious diseases transmitted through food (Annex 1) in poultry flocks which are intended for the production of foodstuffs (eggs and fresh meat) in small quantities and for direct supply to a final consumer.

2. The foodstuffs obtained in small quantities from poultry flocks shall be sold in retail trade or directly to a final consumer. The quantity of foodstuffs to be considered to be small is laid down in Annex 2.

3. The Regulation shall not apply to poultry flocks where:

3.1. the animal owner uses the foodstuffs produced for family needs or personal consumption;

3.2. the poultry kept and bred are used for entertainment events or for scientific purposes and foodstuffs are not produced of them and they are not distributed;

3.3. the poultry kept and bred are household (domestic) animals and foodstuffs are not produced of them and they are not distributed;

3.4. ostriches are bred for the production of meat.

4. The Food and Veterinary Service (hereinafter - the Service) shall organise the supervision and control of compliance with the requirements laid down in this Regulation and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1168/2006 of 31 July 2006 implementing Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 as regards a Community target for the reduction of the prevalence of certain salmonella serotypes in laying hens of Gallus gallus and amending Regulation (EC) No 1003/2005.

5. An animal owner or holder shall establish a register (registration log). The data entered in the register shall be kept for at least two years after the slaughtering of the poultry. The following information shall be regularly updated in the register:

5.1. the species, age, and quantity of the poultry;

5.2. the movement of poultry, the destination of the cargo consignment, size and type of the dispatched cargo;

5.3. the laboratory tests carried out and their results, occurrence of diseases in the flock and diagnosis of the disease;

5.4. the productivity of the poultry;

5.5. the amount of feed and water consumed;

5.6. the vaccinations performed, and the number of the poultry vaccinated.

6. An authorised veterinarian of the Service (hereinafter - the authorised veterinarian) or a practising veterinarian shall immediately notify the territorial unit of the Service of the presence of the infectious disease or of the suspicion of the presence of the infectious diseases referred to in Annex 1 to this Regulation.

7. Having received the information referred to in Paragraph 6 of this Regulation, the official of the Service shall inspect the poultry flock, take samples for laboratory testing (official sample), and prohibit the relocation of the live poultry and the distribution of foodstuffs produced from them until the diagnosis is ascertained. The samples shall undergo laboratory testing in a reference laboratory.

8. A laboratory shall immediately notify the Service of:

8.1. the agents of the infectious diseases referred to in Annex 1 to this Regulation and detected during the laboratory testing;

8.2. the agents of the infectious diseases referred to in the laws and regulations regarding the prevention and combating of infectious diseases from which both animals and humans suffer.

9. The official of the Service and the epidemiologist of the State agency Sabiedrības veselības aģentūra [Public Health Agency] (hereinafter - the Agency), within their competence, shall carry out an epizootiological and epidemiological examination if humans have been infected after consuming foodstuffs or coming in contact with the poultry and there is a suspicion that the infection is associated with the consumption of the foodstuffs or has occurred after the contact with the poultry.

10. If the suspicion that the infection of humans is associated with the consumption of foodstuffs or has occurred after the contact with the poultry is confirmed, the Service and the Agency, within their competence, shall determine and organise the measures for the epizootiological and epidemiological control and prevention of the infection by informing the inhabitants thereof, where necessary.

11. If it is found that food is the source of the infectious disease, the Service and the Agency shall take a decision in conformity with the competence thereof to determine the measures for the control and combating of the disease, for detection of infected foodstuffs and removal thereof from circulation, and for determining restrictions for the lodging of origin of the poultry.

12. It is allowed to distribute poultry eggs and send poultry for slaughtering if:

12.1. the poultry flock has been examined for the presence of the infectious diseases referred to in Annex 1 to this Regulation and has been recognised to have none of those diseases;

12.2. after taking the measures for the control and combating of the infectious diseases referred to in Annex 1 to this Regulation, the holding is cleaned and disinfected, and laboratory testing results reveal an absence of the infectious diseases in the herd;

12.3. no other restrictions associated with the poultry health have been determined for the holding;

12.4. before relocating the poultry, the animal owner or holder shall fill in a relocation statement in conformity with the laws and regulations which prescribe the procedures for the registration of animals, herds, and holdings, and the marking of animals.

13. The official of the Service shall carry out the State monitoring and control of the agents of the infectious diseases referred to in Annex 1 to this Regulation in accordance with the animal infectious disease control programme by taking samples.

14. The animal owner or holder shall ensure the monitoring of salmonellosis, tuberculosis and mycoplasmosis in the poultry flocks, while the authorised veterinarian shall take samples for laboratory testing and conduct a tuberculosis test of the birds. The samples shall undergo laboratory testing in an accredited laboratory.

II. Measures for the Control of the Agents of Salmonellosis (S.enteritidis, S.typhimurium, S.hadar, S.virchow, S.infantis, S.gallinarum) in Flocks of Ostriches

15. The control of the agents of salmonellosis (S.enteritidis, S.typhimurium, S.hadar, S.virchow, S.infantis, S.gallinarum) in holdings used to produce ostrich eggs for food shall be carried out by the animal owner or holder:

15.1. two weeks before the start of egg-laying season;

15.2. once during the egg-laying season.

16. A total faecal sample which is comprised of the samples taken from different locations of lodging shall be taken within the time period referred to in Paragraph 15 of this Regulation. If the holding has several lodgings, a total faecal sample shall be taken from every lodging.

III. Measures for the Control of the Agents of Salmonellosis (S.pullorum, S.gallinarum) in Flocks of Chickens, Turkeys, Guineafowls, Geese, Ducks, Quails, Pigeons, Pheasants, Partridges, and Other Birds Kept in Enclosed Areas

17. The animal owner or holder shall ensure the control of the agents of salmonellosis (S.pullorum, S.gallinarum) in holdings used to produce the eggs for food of chickens, turkeys, guineafowls, geese, ducks, quails, pigeons, pheasants, partridges, and other birds kept in enclosed areas once a year by serologically testing:

17.1. 100 % of adult poultry if there are 1 to 10 poultry in the flock;

17.2. 10 % of adult poultry if there are 11 to 100 poultry in the flock;

17.3. 5 % of adult poultry if there are 101 to 999 poultry in the flock.

18. If it is not possible to take blood samples, a total faecal sample shall be taken every six months which is comprised of individual faecal samples taken from different locations of the lodging each of which weighing at least one gram (Annex 3). If the holding has several lodgings, a total faecal sample shall be taken from every lodging.

IV. Measures for the Control of the Agents of Salmonellosis (S.enteritidis, S.typhimurium, S.hadar, S.virchow, S.infantis) in Flocks of Chickens, Turkeys, Guineafowls, Geese, Ducks, Quails, Pigeons, Pheasants, Partridges, and other Birds Kept in Enclosed Areas

19. The control of the agents of salmonellosis (S.enteritidis, S.typhimurium, S.hadar, S.virchow, S.infantis) in holdings used to produce poultry eggs for food shall be ensured by the animal owner or holder:

19.1. for one day-old poultry;

19.2. for poultry - two weeks before the egg-laying season;

19.3. for adult poultry - once during the egg-laying season and four weeks before sending to the slaughterhouse.

20. In the case referred to in Sub-paragraph 19.1 of this Regulation, the following samples shall be taken:

20.1. of materials rinsed off the inner surfaces of the containers in which one day-old poultry were brought to the holding;

20.2. of material to be examined obtained from one day-old poultry that perished during transport.

21. In the case referred to in Sub-paragraphs 19.2 and 19.3 of this Regulation, a total faecal sample shall be taken which is comprised of individual faecal samples taken from different locations of the lodging each of which weighing at least one gram (Annex 3). If the holding has several lodgings, a total faecal sample shall be taken from every lodging.

22. The animal owner or holder shall ensure the control of the agents of salmonellosis (S.enteritidis, S.typhimurium, S.hadar, S.virchow, S.infantis) in holdings used for the breeding of broiler chickens and turkeys to produce meat 7 to 10 days before the poultry are sent to the slaughterhouse by taking a total faecal sample. The total faecal sample shall be comprised of individual faecal samples taken from different locations of the holding each of which weighing at least one gram (Annex 3). If the holding has several lodgings, a total faecal sample shall be taken from every lodging.

23. The animal owner or holder shall ensure the control of the agents of salmonellosis (S.enteritidis, S.typhimurium, S.hadar, S.virchow, S.infantis) in holdings used for the breeding of quails, ducks, geese, pigeons, pheasants, partridges, and other birds kept in enclosed areas to produce meat once in six months, but for the group of poultry intended for slaughtering - 7 to 10 days before the birds are sent to the slaughterhouse by taking a total faecal sample. The total faecal sample shall be comprised of individual faecal samples taken from different locations of the holding each of which weighing at least one gram (Annex 3). If the holding has several lodgings, a total faecal sample shall be taken from every lodging.

V. Measures for the Control of the Agents of Mycoplasmosis (M.gallisepticum, M.synoviae) and Tuberculosis (M.avium) in Flocks of Ostriches

24. The animal owner or holder shall ensure the control of the agents of mycoplasmosis (M.gallisepticum, M.synoviae) in holdings where ostriches are bred to produce eggs for food:

24.1. for adult ostriches - once a year by serological testing of blood samples covering 10 % of the poultry in the flock;

24.2. on perished day-old poultry - by bacteriological testing of samples taken from the guttural pouches.

25. The animal owner or holder shall ensure the control of the agents of tuberculosis (M.avium) in holdings where ostriches are bred to produce eggs for food once a year by conducting a tuberculosis test on 10 % of adult poultry in the flock.

VI. Measures for the Control of the Agent of Tuberculosis (M.avium) in Flocks of Chickens, Turkeys, Guineafowls, Geese, Ducks, Quails, Pigeons, Pheasants, Partridges, and other Birds Kept in Enclosed Areas

26. In a holding where poultry are bred to produce eggs for food, the control of the agent of tuberculosis (M.avium) shall be carried out on poultry that have reached the age of 18 months.

27. The animal owner or holder shall carry out the control of the agent of tuberculosis (M.avium) once a year, and the authorised veterinarian shall examine a tuberculosis test:

27.1. for 50 % of adult poultry if there are fewer than 100 poultry in the flock;

27.2. for 10 % of adult poultry if there are more than 100 poultry in the flock.

VII. Measures for the Combating of Salmonellosis, Mycoplasmosis, and Tuberculosis in Poultry Flocks

28. If after taking the sample referred to in Paragraph 8 of this Regulation it is detected that there is salmonellosis, mycoplasmosis, or tuberculosis in the poultry lodging, the official of the Service shall impose the restrictions referred to in this Chapter on the poultry lodging.

29. If there are several poultry lodgings in the holding, the sample shall be taken from every lodging where poultry are staying.

30. In a poultry lodging affected by the disease:

30.1. and in the grounds thereof, it is prohibited to bring poultry in and out;

30.2. the infected poultry shall be transported and slaughtered separately from healthy poultry;

30.3. the animal owner or holder shall organise the movement of persons within the animal lodging (setting the list of persons authorised to visit the territory of the holding). A location shall be arranged which is equipped with equipment necessary for the disinfection of hands, footwear, and undercarriages of vehicles;

30.4. mats soaked in disinfectant solution that destroys the agent of the infectious disease shall be placed at the entrance and exit;

30.5. the perished or killed poultry shall be processed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 October 2002 laying down health rules concerning animal by-products not intended for human consumption (hereinafter - Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council);

30.6. manure, liquid, and used bedding material shall be subjected to biothermal treatment (self-heating of the product to be disinfected using micro-organisms, whereby it reaches the temperature of 60 °C. Such temperature shall be maintained for at least two weeks) in places where no environmental contamination takes place, and no risk of the spread of infection to humans or animals exists;

30.7. the poultry are sent to the slaughterhouse by the permit of the official of the Service or of the authorised veterinarian. By the opinion of the veterinary expert-examination (if it does not prohibit to use the meat for the production of foodstuffs), the meat obtained from these birds shall be distributed after thermal treatment that destroys the agent of the infectious disease;

30.8. non-marked eggs intended for human consumption as food must be processed in accordance with the procedures laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council, but marked eggs shall be sent to the manufacturer of egg products by the permit of the official of the Service or of the authorised veterinarian. The manufacturer of egg products subjects the eggs to thermal treatment using methods that guarantee the destruction of the agent of the infectious disease;

30.9. it is allowed to kill the poultry and to process the carcasses in accordance with the procedures laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council;

30.10. once all the infected poultry and eggs are brought out, the lodging shall be cleaned and disinfected using products that affect the agent of the infectious disease detected in the flock under the supervision of the authorised veterinarian;

30.11. once the transportation of the infected birds is completed, the vehicles, cages, materials, and objects shall be cleaned and disinfected using products that affect the agent of the infectious disease detected in the flock under the supervision of the authorised veterinarian.

31. If agents of salmonellosis are detected in a holding, the official of the Service shall take a poultry feed sample for laboratory testing.

32. If agents of salmonellosis are found in poultry feed, the official of the Service shall:

32.1. conduct epizootiological examination and take samples at different stages of the poultry feed production;

32.2. control the operation of the facility that processes the waste of animal origin and also the operation of the farms that supply the poultry feed if rapid spread of the agents of salmonellosis is observed. The official of the Service shall take samples at different stages of the poultry feed production at the facility that processes the waste of animal origin and at the farm. If the agents of an infectious disease are detected in the sample, the infected poultry feed shall be subjected to thermal treatment to destroy the agents of the infectious disease or processed in accordance with the procedures laid down Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

33. After taking the measures referred to in Paragraph 30 of this Regulation, the poultry may be placed in a holding if:

33.1. a laboratory control of the disinfection measures is performed and the result obtained confirms no presence of the agents of infectious diseases. In this case, the official of the Service official shall repeal the laid down restrictions;

33.2. after taking the salmonellosis combating measures, the poultry to be brought in have been tested for the presence of the agents of salmonellosis (S.typhimurium, S.enteritidis, S.hadar, S.virchow, S.infantis, S.pullorum, S.gallinarum) and their presence has not been detected. Until obtaining the results, the brought in poultry shall be kept in isolation from other poultry in the holding;

33.3. after taking the measures for combating tuberculosis, the poultry to be brought in have undergone tuberculosis testing and no agents of tuberculosis were detected (negative testing result). Until obtaining the results, the brought in poultry shall be kept in isolation from other poultry in the holding;

33.4. after taking the measures for combating mycoplasmosis, the ostriches to be brought in were serologically or bacteriologically tested to detect the agents of mycoplasmosis and none were detected. Until obtaining the results, the brought in ostriches shall be kept in isolation from other ostriches in the holding.

34. If there is a suspicion of the presence of the agents of salmonellosis in a poultry slaughterhouse:

34.1. the official of the Service or the authorised veterinarian shall take a sample and send it for laboratory testing;

34.2. the Service shall take a decision to ensure restriction for the distribution of slaughter products.

VIII. Closing Provision

35. Regulation shall come into force on 1 January 2008.

Prime Minister A. Kalvītis

Minister for Agriculture M. Roze

 

Annex 1
Cabinet Regulation No. 741
6 November 20071

Infectious Diseases Affecting Poultry

No.	Name of the infectious disease	Agent of the infectious disease
1.	Salmonellosis	Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella hadar, Salmonella virchow, Salmonella infantis, Salmonella pullorum, Salmonella gallinarum
2.	Mycoplasmosis	Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae
3.	Tuberculosis	Mycobacterium avium

Minister for Agriculture M. Roze

 

Annex 2
Cabinet Regulation No. 741
6 November 2007

Quantity of Foodstuffs Produced by Poultry Flocks to be Regarded to be Small and Intended for Direct Supply to a Final Consumer

No.	Poultry	Quantity of foodstuffs
1.	Chickens, turkeys, guineafowls, geese, ducks, quails, pigeons, pheasants, partridges, and other birds kept in enclosed areas for the purpose of egg production	No more than 999 poultry are kept in a holding per year
2.	Chickens, turkeys, guineafowls, geese, ducks, quails, pigeons, pheasants, partridges, and other birds kept in enclosed spaces for the purpose of meat production	No more than 10 000 poultry are slaughtered per year
3.	Ostriches for the purpose of egg production	No more than 250 ostrich eggs are sold in the holding per year

Minister for Agriculture M. Roze

 

Annex 3
Cabinet Regulation No. 741
6 November 2007

Number of Places in a Poultry Holding from which Faecal Samples are Taken for Establishing a Total Faecal Sample

Number of poultry in the holding	Number of places in the poultry holding from which faecal samples are taken
1-24	as many as poultry, but no more than 20
25-29	20
30-39	25
40-49	30
50-59	35
60-89	40
90-199	50
200-249	100
250-349	200
350-449	220
450-799	250
800-999	260

Minister for Agriculture M. Roze

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