Article 3 Identification of high risk areas for the introduction and spread of HPAI viruses

the risk factors for the introduction of HPAI viruses into holdings, in particular with respect to:

1. (i)

   their geographical location in areas F2... through which migratory birds are travelling or where these birds are resting during their migratory movements after having entered the F3EU in particular via the north-eastern and eastern migratory routes;

2. (ii)

   their proximity to wet areas, ponds, swamps, lakes, rivers or the sea where migratory birds, in particular those of the orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes, may gather and have their stop-over places;

3. (iii)

   their geographical location in areas with a high density of migratory birds, particularly water birds;

4. (iv)

   poultry kept in open-air holdings, where contact between wild birds and poultry cannot be prevented or sufficiently controlled;

5. (v)

   current and past detections of HPAI viruses in poultry, other captive birds and wild birds;

the risk factors for the spread of HPAI viruses within holdings and between holdings, in particular, where:

1. (i)

   the geographical location of the holding is in an area with a high density of holdings, in particular those keeping ducks and geese and any poultry with open-air access;

2. (ii)

   the intensity of movements of vehicles transporting poultry and of persons within and from holdings, and where other direct and indirect contacts between holdings is high;

risk assessments and scientific advice in relation to the relevance of the spread of HPAI viruses by wild birds carried out by F4... national and international risk assessment bodies;

the results of surveillance programmes carried out in accordance with Article 4 of Directive 2005/94/EC.