THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 2003/85/EC of 29 September 2003 on Community measures for the control of foot-and-mouth disease repealing Directive 85/511/EEC and Decisions 89/531/EEC and 91/665/EEC and amending Directive 92/46/EEC(1), and in particular Article 67(2) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) For security reasons it is important to maintain the list of national laboratories authorised to handle live foot-and-mouth disease virus updated.
(2) The competent authorities of Denmark, Germany and Poland have officially informed the Commission on changes relating to their national reference laboratory for foot-and-mouth disease.
(3) The competent authorities of Slovakia officially informed the Commission of arrangements they have made in accordance with Article 68(2) of the Directive.
(4) For clarity it appears appropriate to list the Member States in the order of the ISO country code.
(5) It is necessary to adapt the list of national laboratories authorised to handle live foot-and-mouth disease virus and to amend Part A of Annex XI to Directive 2003/85/EC accordingly.
(6) 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: