The competent authority's surveillance obligation
Article 26
1. The competent authority shall conduct surveillance to detect the presence of listed diseases as referred to in point (e) of Article 9(1) and relevant emerging diseases. 2. The surveillance shall be designed in such a way as to ensure the timely detection of the presence of the listed diseases referred to in point (e) of Article 9(1) and emerging diseases by means of the collection, collation and analysis of relevant information relating to the disease situation. 3. The competent authority shall, whenever possible and appropriate, make use of the results of the surveillance conducted by operators and the information obtained through animal health visits in accordance with Articles 24 and 25, respectively. 4. The competent authority shall ensure that surveillance meets the requirements provided for in Article 27 and in any rules adopted pursuant to point (a) of Article 29. 5. The competent authority shall ensure that the information obtained through the surveillance provided for in paragraph 1 is collected and used in an effective and efficient manner.