Division 2.3 Sampling in protection zones

In order to seek the repeal in accordance with Article 36 of the measures provided for in Articles 21 to 35, all holdings within the perimeters of the protection zone where sheep and goats have not been in direct and close contact with bovine animals during a period of at least 21 days prior to taking the samples shall be examined pursuant to a sampling protocol suitable to detect 5 % prevalence of disease with at least 95 % level of confidence.

However, the competent authorities may decide where epidemiological circumstances allow and in particular in application of the measures provided for in Article 36(1)(b), that samples are taken not earlier than 14 days after the elimination of susceptible animals on the infected holding(s) and the carrying out of preliminary cleansing and disinfection, under the condition that the sampling is carried out in accordance with point 2.3 using statistical parameters suitable to detect 2 % prevalence of disease within the herd with at least 95 % level of confidence.