Commission Decision

of 8 May 2009

amending Decision 2007/716/EC as regards certain establishments in the meat and milk sectors in Bulgaria

(notified under document number C(2009) 3442)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2009/376/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania, and in particular Article 42 thereof,

Having regard to Council Directive 89/662/EEC of 11 December 1989 concerning veterinary checks in intra-Community trade with a view to the completion of the internal market1, and in particular Article 9(4) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

Commission Decision 2007/716/EC2 lays down transitional measures for structural requirements of certain establishments in the meat and milk sectors in Bulgaria provided for in Regulations (EC) No 852/20043 and (EC) No 853/20044 of the European Parliament and of the Council. As long as those establishments are in transition, products originating from them are only to be placed on the domestic market or used for further processing in Bulgarian establishments in transition.

(2)

Decision 2007/716/EC has been amended by Commission Decisions 2008/290/EC5, 2008/330/EC6, 2008/552/EC7, 2008/678/EC8 2008/828/EC9 and 2009/31/EC10.

(3)

According to an official declaration from the Bulgarian competent authority, certain establishments in the meat and milk sectors have ceased their activities or have completed their upgrading process and are now in full compliance with Community legislation. Those establishments should therefore be deleted from the list of establishments in transition.

(4)

The Annex to Decision 2007/716/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(5)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: