Council Directive 2006/88/ECShow full title

Article 17 Introduction of live aquaculture animals of vector species into disease-free areas

1. Where scientific data or practical experience substantiates that species other than those referred to in Part II of Annex IV may be responsible for the transmission of a specific disease by acting as vector species, Member States shall ensure that where introduced for farming or restocking purposes into a Member State, zone or compartment declared free of that specific disease in accordance with Articles 49 or 50, such vector species shall:

(a) originate from another Member State, zone or compartment declared free of that specific disease;

or

(b) be held in quarantine facilities in water free of the pathogen in question, for an appropriate period of time, where, in the light of the scientific data or practical experience provided, this proves to be sufficient to reduce the risk of transmission of the specific disease to a level acceptable for preventing the transmission of the disease concerned.

2. A list of vector species and life stages of such species to which this Article applies and, where appropriate, the conditions under which those species can transmit a disease shall be adopted, and when necessary amended taking into account scientific and technological developments in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 62(2).

3. Pending the possible inclusion of a species on the list referred to in paragraph 2, the Commission may decide in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 62(3), to allow Member States to apply the provisions provided for in paragraph 1.