Division 3 Bluetongue monitoring and surveillance programmes aimed at demonstrating the absence of certain serotypes of the bluetongue virus in an or epidemiologically relevant geographical areaF1F2

Bluetongue monitoring and surveillance programmes aimed at the demonstration of the absence of bluetongue virus circulation must comply with the conditions set out in points 2.1 and 2.2. The sample size used for the active laboratory-based surveillance must be calculated to detect a prevalence of 5 %^f1 with 95 % confidence. In addition:

1. (a)

   for the purpose of removing an epidemiologically relevant geographical area from a restricted zone as referred to in Article 6(2), F3the appropriate Minister must demonstrate the absence of bluetongue virus circulation during a period of at least two years, including two seasons of vector activity;

   F4Each authority who in relation to any constituent part of Great Britain is the appropriate Minister must publish relevant historical epidemiological information on the monitoring and surveillance programme in place and its yearly results during the past three years, including at least:

   1. (i)

      a description of the surveys currently being carried out and the type of diagnostic test performed (ELISA, serum neutralisation, PCR, virus isolation);

   2. (ii)

      the sampled species and the number of samples taken per susceptible animal species; if pools of sera are used, an estimation of the numbers of animals corresponding to the pools tested must be reported;

   3. (iii)

      the geographical coverage of the samples;

   4. (iv)

      the frequency and timing of sampling;

   5. (v)

      the number of positive results specified by animals species and geographical location.

2. (b)

   for the purpose of demarcating a ‘provisionally free area’ as referred to in Article 7(2a), F5the appropriate Minister must demonstrate the absence of bluetongue virus circulation during a period of at least one year, including one season of vector activity.

   F6The appropriate Minister must publish relevant historical epidemiological information on the monitoring and surveillance programme in place and its results during the past two years, including at least the information as laid down in points (a)(i) to (v).