Article 4 Risk mitigation and reinforced biosecurity measures

the keeping together of ducks and geese with other poultry species, unless:

1. (i)

   the risk of virus introduction is deemed insignificant due to the characteristics of the holding and the risk mitigation measures in place that are considered sufficient by the competent authority; or

2. (ii)

   poultry species other than ducks and geese are used as sentinels according to the provisions of the competent authority;

the keeping of poultry in the open air, unless:

1. (i)

   the poultry are protected against contact with wild birds with nets, roofs, horizontal fabrics or by other appropriate means to prevent contact; or

2. (ii)

   the poultry are supplied with feed and water indoors or under a shelter which sufficiently discourages the access of wild birds and thereby prevents contact by wild birds with the feed or water intended for the poultry;

the use of outdoor water reservoirs for poultry; unless required for animal welfare reasons for certain poultry and they are sufficiently screened against wild birds;

the provision of water to poultry from surface water reservoirs that can be accessed by wild birds; unless the water undergoes treatment that ensures the inactivation of avian influenza viruses;

the gathering of poultry and other captive birds at markets, shows, exhibitions and cultural events; unless such events are organised and managed in such a way that the risk of virus spread by possibly infected birds to other birds is reduced to a minimum;

the use of decoy birds of the orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes; unless they are used in the framework of a surveillance programme for avian influenza carried out in accordance with Article 4 of Directive 2005/94/EC, research projects, ornithological studies or any other activity permitted by the competent authority;

the release of poultry for restocking supplies of game birds; unless authorised by the competent authorities under the condition that:

1. (i)

   these activities are separated from other holdings; and

2. (ii)

   the poultry for restocking have been tested virologically in accordance with point 4(a) of Chapter IV of the diagnostic manual for avian influenza set out in the Annex to Commission Decision 2006/437/EC^f1 with negative results for avian influenza on samples taken from each production unit within 48 hours before their release.