Bird flu (Avian influenza) now as well in Germany and Belgium, mandatory additional Cleansing & Disinfection transport vehicles in The Netherlands
Due to the outbreak of contagious (highly pathogenic) bird flu (HPAI) at kept poultry in Germany and Belgium transport vehicles for poultry [1] or hatching eggs that return or enter from Germany and Belgium to The Netherlands require additional cleansing and disinfection (C&D) immediately after entering The Netherlands.
This C&D requirement also applies to vehicles entering or coming from the EU high-risk countries Bulgaria, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Croatia, Poland and countries outside the European Union, so called third countries.
The additional C&D has to be carried out at an approved centre for cleansing and disinfection for poultry transport vehicles, a slaughterhouse or hatchery.
Loaded transport vehicles are first unloaded, after which a 1st C&D takes place on site. After this, the vehicles are immediately transported to an approved C&D centre, slaughterhouse or hatchery, to undergo a 2nd C&D.
After the mandatory 2nd C&D, the supervisor at the approved C&D centre, slaughterhouse or hatchery completes the evidence of cleansing and disinfection. The transporter has to send this completed and signed evidence to the reporting point of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit NVWA
Interventiebureau Dier
Antwoordnummer 2052
8000 VB Zwolle
Telephone number: +31 (88) 223 45 30
E-mail: R&O@nvwa.nl
[1] Poultry: chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), birds belonging to the order of ducks (Anseriformes), the family of ostriches (Struthionidae), emus (Dromaiidae) and nandus (Rheidae) and for consumption kept pigeons (Colombia livia).