The Zoonoses (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011

Statutory salmonella testing of all poultry flocks (breeders, layers, broilers and turkeys) is carried out under The Control of Salmonella in Poultry Scheme Order, which came into operation on 28 July 2008, The Control of Salmonella in Broiler Flocks Scheme Order (NI) 2009 which came into operation on 17 June 2009 and The Control of Salmonella in Turkey Flocks Scheme Order which came into operation on 19 August 2010.These Orders implement, in respect of poultry flocks, EU Regulations for the monitoring and control of salmonella in poultry flocks.

The collection of official control samples under these Schemes is overseen by DARD’s Veterinary Service and the official samples are tested by the Agri-Food Biosciences Institute (AFBI).

DARD has charged fees to recover the full cost of official salmonella testing in the poultry industry.  

New fees regulation is needed so that the Department is able to recover current costs associated with these Scheme Orders

The format of the proposed Regulations is slightly changed compared to the fees regulation that was associated with the previous Poultry Schemes.

The proposed new Regulations give the Department the powers to charge fees at an appropriate level on the basis of certain criteria. The fees will be published on the DARD website and will appear on the face of the Regulations themselves.

The deadline for responses is 23 December 2010.