This Order sets out, in compliance with Council Directive 2005/94/EC, (a) certain preventive measures relating to the surveillance and the early detection of avian influenza, (b) minimum control measures to be applied in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza in poultry or other captive birds and the early detection of possible spread of avian influenza viruses to mammals and (c) other subsidiary measures to avoid the spread of influenza viruses of avian origin to other species. In exceptional cases, more stringent measures in the field covered by this Order can be enacted with Decision by the Minister of Agriculture Development and Foodstuffs to be published on the Official Gazette.
The Order consists of 47 articles and 10 annexes and is composed of the following Chapters: (I) Subject matter, scope and definitions;(II) Preventive biosecurity, surveillance, notifications and epidemiological inquiries;(III) Suspected outbreaks; (IV) Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAi); (V) Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAi); (VI) Measures aimed at avoiding the spread of influenza viruses of avian origin to other species; (VII) Cleansing, disinfection and re-population; (VIII) Diagnostic procedures, diagnostic manual and reference laboratories; (IX) Vaccination; (X) Community controls, penalties and contingency plans; (XI) Implementing powers and committee procedure; (XII) Transitional and final provisions.