Legislative Decree No. 225 implementing Directive 2000/75/EC laying down specific provisions for the control and eradication of bluetongue

This Legislative Decree establishes control rules and measures intended to combat and eradicate bluetongue consistent with the provisions laid down at Community level in Directive 2000/75/EC. Article 3 sets out the duty to inform the competent veterinary service whenever the bluetongue virus is suspected or confirmed. The information procedure to be followed shall be that described under Chapter II of Presidential Decree No. 320 of 1954. The veterinary service shall therefore inform the Ministry of Health. Article 4 establishes the measures to be applied when a holding has one or more animals suspected of being infected. If the virus has been been confirmed, the measures prescribed by article 6 shall be implemented. Article 16 lays down the penalties to be applied in case of violation of the sanitary measures hereby prescribed. Three Annexes are attached. Annex I lists out the diseases to be compulsorily notified as per Directive 82/894/EEC. Annex II regards the Community reference laboratory as regards the bluetongue virus. Annex III sets out criteria to be taken into account by the Ministry of Health when drafting the intervention plan required under article 15.