Bird flu (Avian influenza) now as well in Sweden: mandatory additional Cleansing & Disinfection transport vehicles in The Netherlands

Due to the outbreak of contagious (highly pathogenic) bird flu (HPAI) at kept poultry in Sweden transport vehicles for poultry [1] or hatching eggs that return or enter from Sweden to The Netherlands require additional cleansing and disinfection (C&D) immediately after entering the Netherlands.

Reinigen-transport
Image: ©NVWA

This C&D requirement also applies to vehicles entering or coming from the EU risk countries Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, France, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. In addition this C&D requirement applies to all countries outside the EU, 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, within 24 hours of entering the Netherlands, 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).