2007/268/EC: Commission Decision of 13 April 2007 on the implementation of surveillance programmes for avian influenza in poultry and wild birds to be carried out in the Member States and amending Decision 2004/450/EC (notified under document number C(2007) 1554)
Date: 2007-05-03
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, animal disease, bird, co-financing, disease prevention, poultry, veterinary inspection, wildlife

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(Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory)

II

DECISIONS

COMMISSION

COMMISSION DECISION

of 13 April 2007

on the implementation of surveillance programmes for avian influenza in poultry and wild birds to
be carried out in the Member States and amending Decision 2004/450/EC

(notified under document number C(2007) 1554)

(2007/268/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

Having regard to Council Decision 90/424/EEC of 26 June
1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field (1) and in particular
the fourth subparagraph of Article 24(2) and Article (10)
thereof,

to

regard

Council Directive

Having
of
20 December 2005 on Community measures for the control
of avian influenza and repealing Directive 92/40/EEC (2) and in
particular Article 4(2) thereof,

2005/94/EC

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Decision 90/424/EEC of 26 June 1990 on expenditure in
the veterinary field lays down the procedures governing
the
towards
programmes for the eradication, control and monitoring
of animal diseases.

Community’s

contribution

financial

as

amended

90/424/EEC,

that Community

by Decision
Decision
2006/53/EC (3), provides
financial
assistance may be granted to Member States for those
eradication measures carried out by the Member States to
low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) strains
combat
to mutate to highly
known to have the potential
In addition, Article
pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

24(2) of Decision 90/424/EEC provides that Member
States are to submit to the Commission, each year by
30 April at
the annual or multi-annual
programmes starting in the following year for which
they wish to receive a financial contribution from the
Community.

the latest,

Council Directive 92/40/EEC of 19 May 1992 intro-
ducing Community measures for the control of avian
influenza (4) defines the Community control measures
to be applied in the event of an outbreak of highly
pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry. However,
it does not provide for the control of low pathogenic
avian influenza (LPAI) of H5 and H7 subtypes or for
regular surveillance of that disease in poultry and wild
birds.

Since 2002, Member States have been implementing
mandatory surveys
for avian influenza in domestic
poultry by submitting yearly surveillance programmes
to the Commission,
in Commis-
2004/111/EC (6),
sion Decisions
2005/464/EC (7) and 2006/101/EC (8).

as provided for

2002/649/EC (5),

Directive 2005/94/EC provides for certain preventive
measures relating to the surveillance and early detection
of avian influenza. The final date for the transposition of
that Directive by the Member States is 1 July 2007 and it
provides for the repeal of Directive 92/40/EEC as of that
date.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(4) OJ L 167, 22.6.1992, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive

2006/104/EC (OJ L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 352).

(5) OJ L 213, 9.8.2002, p. 38.
(6) OJ L 32, 5.2.2004, p. 20. Decision as amended by Decision

(1) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 19. Decision as last amended by Council

2004/615/EC (OJ L 278, 27.8.2004, p. 59).

Decision 2006/965/EC (OJ L 397, 30.12.2006, p. 22).

(7) OJ L 164, 24.6.2005, p. 52. Decision as amended by Decision

(2) OJ L 10, 14.1.2006, p. 16.
(3) OJ L 29, 2.2.2006, p. 37.

2005/726/EC (OJ L 273, 19.10.2005, p. 21).

(8) OJ L 46, 16.2.2006, p. 40.

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(6)

(7)

(8)

for

the control of avian
The Community measures
influenza provided for
in Directive 2005/94/EC also
cover the control of outbreaks of LPAI caused by avian
influenza of H5 and H7 subtypes in poultry. In order to
detect the possible circulation of those viruses in poultry
flocks, compulsory surveillance programmes are to be
implemented by the Member States. Those control
measures aim at preventing the spread of LPAI of H5
and H7 subtypes before they become widespread in the
the risk of a
domestic poultry population so that
mutation into HPAI with possibly devastating conse-
quences may be prevented.

for

Directive 2005/94/EC also provides
surveillance
programmes to be carried out in wild birds in order to
contribute, on the basis of a regularly updated risk
assessment, to the knowledge on the threats posed by
wild birds in relation to any influenza virus of avian
origin in birds.

It is important to further strengthen surveillance activities
given recent developments as regards the widespread
occurrence of HPAI H5N1 in wild birds in Europe,
taking into account the results of the surveys carried
out in the Member States between 2003 and 2006 and
the scientific work recently undertaken by European
Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (1)
in collaboration with
the ORNIS Scientific Working Group of the European
Commission’s Environment Directorate-General. Those
bodies will continue their work and outcomes thereof
may lead to further updating.

national programmes for the eradication, control and
monitoring of certain animal diseases,
including avian
influenza, Member States may submit to the Commission
for a
surveillance programmes
later
financial contribution from the Community not
than 30 April each year pursuant to Article 24(2) of
Decision 90/424/EEC. Decision 2004/450/EC should be
amended to lay down standard requirements for the
content of applications for Community financing for
avian influenza surveillance programmes.

for avian influenza

(12) Decision 2004/450/EC should therefore be amended

accordingly.

(13)

The measures provided for
accordance with
Committee of the Food Chain and Animal Health,

in this Decision are in
Standing
the

opinion

the

of

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Approval of surveillance programmes for avian influenza

The surveillance programmes for avian influenza in poultry and
wild birds to be carried out by Member States, in accordance
with Article 4(1) of Directive 2005/94/EC, shall comply with
the guidelines set out in Annexes I and II to this Decision.

(9) When implementing surveillance programmes in wild
birds full regard shall be paid to the requirements of
Council Directive 79/409/EEC (2) on the protection and
conservation of all naturally occurring wild bird species
in the Community.

Article 2

Amendments to Decision 2004/450/EC

Decision 2004/450/EC is amended as follows:

(10)

Commission Decision 2004/450/EC of 29 April 2004
laying down standard requirements for the content of
applications for Community financing for programmes
for the eradication, monitoring and control of animal
diseases (3),
lays down standard requirements for the
financing
content of
programmes
and
control of animal diseases.

eradication, monitoring

applications
for

for Community

the

1.

in Article 1, the following point (c) is added:

‘(c)

in respect of the animal disease referred to in Annex I,
Part C, at least the information set out in Annex IV.’;

2.

in Annex I, the following Part C is added:

(11) As Decision 90/424/EC, now provides that a Community
financial contribution is to be granted for expenditure
incurred by the Member States for the financing of

‘PART C

(1) Scientific opinion on ‘Migratory birds and their possible role in the
spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza’ (EFSA, 12 May 2006)
and its addendum (11 December 2006).

(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive

2006/105/EC (OJ L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 368).

(3) OJ L 155, 30.4.2004, p. 90; corrected by OJ L 92, 12.4.2005, p. 16.
Decision as amended by Decision 2006/282/EC (OJ L 104,
13.4.2006, p. 40).

Disease referred to in Article 1(c)

avian influenza.’;

3. A new Annex IV, the text of which is set out in Annex III to

the present Decision, is added.

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This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Article 3

Done at Brussels, 13 April 2007.

For the Commission

Markos KYPRIANOU
Member of the Commission

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ANNEX I

Guidelines on the implementation of surveillance programmes for avian influenza in poultry to be carried out in
the Member States

A. Objectives, general requirements and criteria for surveillance

A.1. Objectives

Serological surveillance for LPAI subtypes H5 and H7 in poultry shall aim at:

1. Detecting sub-clinical infections with LPAI of subtypes H5 and H7 thereby complementing early detection systems

and subsequently preventing possible mutation of these viruses to HPAI.

2. Detecting infections of LPAI H5 and H7 subtypes in specifically targeted poultry populations at specific risk for

infection due to their husbandry system or the susceptibility of specific species.

3. Contributing to the demonstration of a free status of a certain country, region or compartment from notifiable

avian influenza in the frame of international trade according to OIE rules.

A.2. General requirements and criteria

1. Sampling shall not extend beyond 31 December of the year of implementation of the programme. For poultry,

sampling shall cover a period appropriate to production periods for each poultry category as required.

2. In order to save resources, samples collected for other purposes are recommended.

3. Testing of samples shall be carried out at national laboratories for avian influenza (NL) in Member States or by

other laboratories authorised by the competent authorities and under the control of the NL.

4. All results (both serological and virological) shall be sent to the Community Reference Laboratory for Avian
Influenza (CRL) for collation. A good flow of information must be ensured. The CRL shall provide technical
support and keep an enlarged stock of diagnostic reagents.

5. All avian influenza virus isolates shall be submitted to the CRL in accordance with Community legislation, unless a
derogation according to paragraph 4 of Chapter V (Differential diagnosis) in the diagnostic manual laid down in
Decision 2006/437/EC (1) is granted. Viruses of H5/H7 subtype shall be submitted without delay and shall be
subjected to the standard characterisation tests (nucleotide sequencing/IVPI) according to that Diagnostic Manual.

6. Whenever possible, NLs shall submit to the CRL, H5 or H7 positive sera collected from Anseriformes in order that

an archive be established to facilitate future test development.

B. Surveillance for avian influenza in poultry

1. All positive findings shall be retrospectively investigated at the holding and the conclusions of this investigation

shall be reported to the Commission and the CRL.

2. Specific protocols to accompany the sending of material to the CRL and reporting tables for collection of
surveillance data shall be provided by the CRL. In those tables the laboratory testing methods used shall be
indicated. The tables provided shall be used to submit results in a single document.

(1) OJ L 237, 31.8.2006, p. 1.

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3. Blood samples for serological examination shall be collected from all species of poultry including those reared in
free-range systems, from at least 5 to 10 birds (except ducks geese and quail) per holding, and from the different
sheds, if more than one shed is present on a holding. In case of several sheds the sample size per holding should be
increased appropriately. It is recommended to take at least five birds per shed.

4. Sampling shall be stratified throughout the territory of the whole Member State, so that samples can be considered

as representative for the whole of the Member State, taking into account:

(a) the number of holdings to be sampled (excluding ducks, geese and turkeys); that number shall be defined so as
to ensure the identification of at least one infected holding if the prevalence of infected holdings is at least 5 %,
with a 95 % confidence interval (see Table 1); and

(b) the number of birds sampled from each holding shall be defined so as to ensure 95 % probability of identifying

at least one positive bird if the prevalence of sero-positive birds is ≥ 30 %.

5. Based on a risk assessment and the specific situation in the Member State concerned, the sampling design shall also

consider:

(a) the types of production and their specific risks, shall be targeted to free range production, outdoor keeping and
backyard flocks plus taking into account other factors such as multi-age, use of surface water, a relatively longer
life span, the presence of more than one species on the holding or other relevant factors;

(b) the number of turkey, duck and goose holdings to be sampled shall be defined to ensure the identification of at
least one infected holding if the prevalence of infected holdings is at least 5 %, with a 99 % confidence interval
(see Table 2);

(c) where significant number of holdings producing game, ratites and quails are present in a Member State they
shall be included in the programme. With regard to quails only adult (or laying) breeders shall be sampled;

(d) the time period for sampling shall coincide with seasonal production. However, where appropriate, sampling
can be adapted to other identified periods at local level, during which time the presence of other poultry hosts
on a holding might pose a greater risk for disease introduction;

(e)

in case a significant number of backyard flocks are present, surveillance could be extended to them;

(f) Member States that must carry out sampling for Newcastle disease to maintain their status as Newcastle disease
non-vaccinating countries in accordance with Commission Decision 94/327/EC (1) may utilise these samples
from breeding flocks for the surveillance of H5/H7 antibodies.

Number of holdings to be sampled of each poultry category (except turkey, duck and goose holdings)

Number of holdings per poultry category per Member State

Number of holdings to be sampled

Table 1

Up to 34

35-50

51-80

81-250

> 250

(1) OJ L 146, 11.6.1994, p. 17.

All

35

42

53

60

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Number of turkey, duck and goose holdings to be sampled

Table 2

Number of holdings per Member State

Number of holdings to be sampled

Up to 46

47-60

61-100

101-350

> 350

All

47

59

80

90

C. Specific requirements for detection of infections with H5/H7 subtypes of avian influenza in ducks, geese and

quail

1. Blood samples for serological testing shall be taken preferably from birds which are kept outside in fields.

2. From each selected holding 40-50 blood samples shall be taken for serological testing.

3. In case commercial flocks are not present, surveillance could be carried out on backyard flocks.

D. Laboratory testing

1. Laboratory tests shall be carried out in accordance with the avian influenza diagnostic manual

Decision 2006/437/EC)
influenza (including examination of sera from ducks and geese by haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test).

(Commission
laying down the procedures for the confirmation and differential diagnosis of avian

2. However, if laboratory tests not laid down in the avian influenza diagnostic manual nor described in the OIE
Terrestrial Manual are envisaged, Member States shall provide the necessary validation data to the CRL, in parallel
to submitting their programme to the Commission for approval.

3. All positive serological findings shall be confirmed by the National Laboratories for avian influenza by a haemag-
glutination-inhibition test, using designated strains supplied by the Community Reference Laboratory for Avian
Influenza:

H5 (a) initial test using Ostrich/Denmark/72420/96 (H5N2);

(b) test all positives with Duck/Denmark/64650/03 (H5N7) to eliminate N2 cross reactive antibody.

H7 (a)

initial test using Turkey/England/647/77 (H7N7);

(b) test all positives with African Starling/983/79 (H7N1) to eliminate N7 cross reactive antibody.

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ANNEX II

Guidelines on the implementation of surveillance programmes for avian influenza in wild birds to be carried out
in the Member States

A. Objectives, general requirements and criteria for surveillance

A1. Objectives

Virological surveillance for avian influenza in wild birds aim to identify the risk of introduction of AI viruses (LPAI
and HPAI) to domestic poultry by:

— ensuring early detection of HPAI H5N1 by investigating increased incidence of morbidity and mortality in wild

birds, in particular in selected ‘higher risk’ species.

— in the event that HPAI H5N1 is detected in wild birds, then surveillance of live and dead wild birds shall be
enhanced to determine whether wild birds of other species can act as asymptomatic carriers or ‘bridge species’ (see
Part E of this Annex).

— continuing a ‘baseline’ surveillance of different species of free living migratory birds as part of continuous
monitoring of LPAI viruses. Anseriformes (water fowl) and Charadriiformes (shorebirds and gulls) shall be the
main sampling targets to assess if they carry LPAI viruses of H5 and H7 subtypes (which would in any case
also detect HPAI H5N1 and other HPAI, if present). ‘Higher risk species’ must be targeted in particular.

A2. General requirements and criteria

1. Sampling shall not extend beyond 31 December of the year of implementation of the programme.

2. Testing of samples shall be carried out at national laboratories for avian influenza (NL) in Member States or by

other laboratories authorised by the competent authorities and under the control of the NL.

3. All results shall be sent to the Community Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza (CRL) for collation. A good
flow of information must be ensured. The CRL shall provide technical support and keep an enlarged stock of
diagnostic reagents.

4. All avian influenza virus isolates of cases in wild birds shall be submitted to the CRL in accordance with
Community legislation, unless a derogation according to paragraph 4 of Chapter V under Differential diagnosis
in the avian influenza Diagnostic Manual laid down in Decision 2006/437/EC is granted. Viruses of H5/H7 subtype
shall be submitted without delay and shall be subjected to the standard characterisation tests (nucleotide sequen-
cing/IVPI) according to the said diagnostic manual.

B. Surveillance for avian influenza in wild birds

Design and implementation

Close cooperation with epidemiologists and ornithologists and the competent authority for nature conservation shall
be ensured for designing the surveillance, assisting in species identification and optimising sampling. The design of the
surveillance shall be adapted to the national situation as regards selection of species to be sampled according to
species predominance and bird population sizes. Sampling must consider the seasonality of migration patterns, which
may vary in different Member States. It shall take into account the behaviour of bird species as regards migratory
flyways, main habitats, gregariousness and degree of mixing during migration and the results obtained from previous
surveillance during 2003-2006. In addition, continuous review and feedback will be provided through the AI wild
bird surveillance working group who are analysing new data as they become available.

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For H5N1 HPAI, all those factors shall be considered in relation to the probability of wild bird exposure to infected
poultry and wild birds in outbreak areas and the probability of contact of wild birds with domestic poultry in the
poultry husbandry systems in the different Member States.

To assess those probabilities, the decision trees and tables in the opinion of EFSA (1), which were drawn up in
collaboration with the European Commission's Environment Directorate-General can provide an effective tool for
Member States’ local risk assessments to adapt to an evolving situation based on a close collaboration and exchange of
views between Member States.

Liaisons with bird conservation/watching institutions and ringing stations shall be encouraged. Sampling, where
appropriate, shall be carried out under the supervision of staff from these groups/stations, by hunters and other
ornithologically skilled persons.

1. P a s s i v e s u r v e i l l a n c e of sick and dead wild birds shall be targeted on:

(a) areas where increased incidence of morbidity and mortality in wild birds occurs;

(b) areas close to the sea, lakes and waterways where birds were found dead; and in particular when these areas are

in proximity to domestic poultry farms;

(c) birds belonging to identified ‘higher risk’ species listed in part D and other wild birds living in close proximity

with them.

2. In addition, investigations of living and dead wild birds in areas where H5N1 cases have been detected shall ideally

be targeted on birds:

(a) wild birds or poultry to possibly identify asymptomatic carriers;

(b) in areas epidemiologically linked to these cases;

(c) coming possibly in close contact to domestic poultry holdings (Protection zone, surveillance zone and area B),

which might function as ‘bridge species’, in particular those that are listed in part E.

3. A c t i v e s u r v e i l l a n c e on living and clinically healthy and/or clinically diseased, injured or hunted (2) birds

shall be targeted on:

(a) migratory birds belonging to the orders of Anseriformes (water fowl) and Charadriiformes (shorebirds and gulls);

(b) at identified areas for concentration and mixing of high number of migratory birds involving different species

and in particular when these areas are in proximity to domestic poultry farms;

(c) a selection of higher risk species (3).

Sampling procedures

1. Oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs for virological examination shall be taken from apparently healthy free living
birds. If for any reason it is impractical to take cloacal swabs from live birds carefully collected fresh faeces samples
may serve as an alternative. However, traceability in case of mixed sites frequented by different bird species must be
ensured.

(1) Scientific opinion on ‘Migratory birds and their possible role in the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza’ (EFSA 12 May 2006).
(2) Hunting by respecting the requirements of Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the protection and conservation of all naturally occurring

wild birds.

(3) To be provided by the European Commission’s Environment Directorate-General.

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2. Cloacal and tracheal/oropharyngeal swabs and/or tissues (namely the brain, heart,

lung, trachea, kidney and
intestines) from wild birds found dead or shot shall be sampled for virus isolation and molecular detection (PCR).

3. Specific care has to be taken for the storage and transport of samples. Swabs must be chilled immediately on ice or
with frozen gel packs and submitted to the laboratory as quickly as possible. Samples must not be frozen unless
absolutely necessary. If available, swabs must be placed in antibiotic or specific virus transport medium so that they
are fully immersed. Placing samples in medium for transportation must be done in addition to chilling and not as
an alternative to chilling. In the absence of such medium, swabs must be returned to their casing and submitted
dry. If rapid transport within 48 hours to the laboratory (in transport medium at 4° Celsius) is not guaranteed,
samples shall be immediately frozen, stored and then transported on dry ice. Storage and transport of samples may
be affected by a variety of factors so the method selected must be fit for purpose.

4. Sampling procedures shall be carried out in accordance with the avian influenza diagnostic manual (Commission
laying down the procedures for the confirmation and differential diagnostic of avian

Decision 2006/437/EC)
influenza.

C. Laboratory testing

1. Laboratory tests shall be carried out in accordance with the avian influenza diagnostic manual

(Commission
laying down the procedures for the confirmation and differential diagnostic of avian

Decision 2006/437/EC)
influenza.

2. However, if laboratory tests not laid down in the avian influenza diagnostic manual nor described in the OIE
Terrestrial Manual are envisaged, Member States shall provide the necessary validation data to the CRL, in parallel
to submitting their programme to the Commission for approval.

3. All samples collected in the surveillance for avian influenza in wild birds shall be tested as soon as possible by
molecular techniques if available and according to the diagnostic manual (Commission Decision 2006/437/EC).
These tests shall only be carried out in laboratories able to guarantee quality assurance and using methods
recognised by the CRL for avian influenza. In addition, methods used must have produced acceptable results in
the most recent comparative ring test of national laboratories. Initial screening using M gene PCR is recommended,
with rapid testing of positives for H5 (but within two weeks) and in case of a positive finding analysis of the
cleavage site must be undertaken as soon as possible to determine whether or not it has a highly pathogenic avian
influenza (HPAI) or a low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) motif. If H5 HPAI is confirmed further analysis to
determine the N type must be done rapidly (even this can only provide evidence eliminating N1).

4. At the laboratory, pooling of up to five samples taken from the same species collected at the same site and same
time may be permitted when it can be ensured that, in case of a positive finding, the individual samples can be
identified and retested.

5. Serological surveillance shall not be applied for avian influenza investigations in wild birds because serological
methods cannot distinguish between HP and LP strains and antibody findings do not allow inference in relation to
the likely location where wild birds might have become infected. However, serological surveillance might be
important to study in which resident or migrating bird species H5/H7 viruses are/were prevalent (or endemic).
Such analysis shall only be performed by specialised laboratories using a carefully selected panel of antigens to
ensure the detection of haemagglutinin specific antibodies (i.e. to eliminate the possibility of interference from N
specific antibodies).

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D. List of wild bird species presenting a higher risk in relation to avian influenza (*)

Common name

Scientific name

Bewick's Swan

Whooper Swan

Mute Swan

Geese

Pink-footed Goose

Bean Goose

Cygnus columbianus

Cygnus cygnus

Cygnus olor

Anser brachyrhynchus

Anser fabalis

Greater White-fronted Goose (European race)

Anser albifrons albifrons

Lesser White-fronted Goose

Greylag Goose

Barnacle Goose

Brent Goose

Red-breasted Goose

Canada Goose

Ducks

Eurasian Wigeon

Common Teal

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Garganey

Northern Shoveler

Marbled Teal

Red-crested Pochard

Common Pochard

Tufted Duck

Waders

Northern Lapwing

Eurasian Golden Plover

Black-tailed Godwit

Ruff

Gulls

Black-headed Gull

Common Gull

Anser erythropus

Anser anser

Branta leucopsis

Branta bernicla

Branta ruficollis

Branta canadensis

Anas penelope

Anas crecca

Anas platyrhynchos

Anas acuta

Anas querquedula

Anas clypeata

Marmaronetta angustirostris

Netta rufina

Aythya ferina

Aythya fuligula

Vanellus vanellus

Pluvialis apricaria

Limosa limosa

Philomachus pugnax

Larus ridibundus

Larus canus

(*) This list is not a limitating list but is only meant to identify migratory species that may pose a high risk for introduction of avian
influenza into the Community based on their migratory pattern involving areas where H5N1 HPAI has either occurred in wild
birds or poultry. It is based on the Scientific opinion on ‘Migratory birds and their possible role in the spread of highly pathogenic
avian influenza’ adopted by the Animal Health and Welfare Panel of EFSA on 12 May 2006 and the work carried out by ORNIS
Committee and contractors to European Commission’s Environment Directorate-General. However, this list could be updated
following results of further scientific studies as they become available and based on the risk assessment carried out by national
authorities taking into account their specific ornithological situation.

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E. List of birds living in proximity to domestic poultry (**)

Common name

Scientific name

Probability of contact with poultry

Group 1. Species intimately associated with poultry production in Europe

Domestic Goose

Anser anser domesticus

Domestic Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

Domestic Muscovy Duck

Cairina moschata

Feral Pigeon

House Sparrow

Columba livia

Passer domesticus

High

High

High

High

High

Group 2. Species which may share farmland also used by domesticated poultry in north Europe

Eurasian Golden Plover

Pluvialis apricaria

Northern Lapwing

Vanellus vanellus

Black-headed Gull

Larus ridibundus

Common Gull

Herring Gull

Wood Pigeon

Larus canus

Larus argentatus

Columba palumbus

Eurasian Collared Dove

Streptopelia decaocto

Ring-necked Pheasant

Phasianus colchicus

Larks species

Alauda & Galerida spp

Pipits

Wagtails

Fieldfare

Redwing

Turdus pilaris

Turdus iliacus

Black-billed Magpie

Pica pica

Eurasian Jackdaw

Rook

Carrion Crow

Raven

Starling

Spotless Starling

House Sparrow

Corvus monedula

Corvus frugilegus

Corvus corone

Corvus corax

Sturnus vulgaris

Sturnus unicolor

Passer domesticus

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Passer montanus

Finches

Buntings

Miliaria, Emberiza spp

Low

Medium

High

High

Low

High

High

High

Low

Low

Medium

Medium

Medium

High

High

Medium

Medium

Low

High

High

High

High

Medium

Medium

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Common name

Scientific name

Probability of contact with poultry

Group 3. Species which may share wetlands also used by domesticated water birds in Northern Europe

Egrets

Herons

Cormorant

Storks

Mute Swan

Greylag Goose

Canada Goose

Ducks

Mallard

Egretta spp.

Ardea and other spp.

Phalacrocorax carbo

Ciconia spp.

Cygnus olor

Anser anser

Branta canadensis

Anas & Aythya spp.

Anas platyrhynchos

Common Coot

Fulica atra

Moorhen

Gallinula chloropus

Low

Medium

Medium

Low

Medium

Medium

Low

Low

High

Medium

Medium

(**) This list is not an exhaustive list but is only meant to identify resident or non-migratory European bird species that live in
proximity to domestic poultry (especially in NW Europe) and which have the theoretical potential to transfer HPAI H5N1 from
potential asymptomatically infected wild birds (‘bridge species’). It is based on the Scientific opinion on ‘Migratory birds and their
possible role in the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza’ adopted by the Animal Health and Welfare Panel of EFSA on 12
May 2006 and the work carried out by ORNIS Committee and contractors by European Commission’s Environment Directorate-
General (DG ENV). However, this list could be updated and expanded following results of further scientific studies as they become
available.
In particular, DG ENV has commissioned Wetland international and EURING to review, update and expand the
preliminary analysis of higher risk species and sites in the light of H5N1 outbreaks in Europe in 2006, and to identify other
High Risk bird species which might act as ‘bridge species’ between wild birds and poultry and/or humans in different parts of
Europe. The results should be available by end of June 2007.
(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/nature_conservation/focus_wild_birds/avian_influenza/pdf/avian_influenza_report.pdf).
It
should provide a much more reliable preliminary list of higher risk species and contact risk with poultry within the EU and
provides for a more targeted approach.

3.5.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 115/15

ANNEX III

‘ANNEX IV

L 115/16

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

3.5.2007

3.5.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 115/17