THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 91/67/EEC of 28 January 1991 concerning the animal health conditions governing the placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products, and in particular Article 5(3) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
Commission Decision 2002/300/EC of 18 April 2002 establishing the list of approved zones with regard to Bonamia ostreae and/or Marteilia refringes
lists in the Annex to that Decision the areas in the Community considered to be free of the mollusc diseases Bonamia ostreae and/or Marteilia refringens.
(2)
United Kingdom informed the Commission by letter received in July 2006 that Bonamia ostreae has been detected in Loch Sunart. That area was previously considered to be free of Bonamia ostreae but can therefore no longer be regarded as free of that disease.
(3)
Ireland informed the Commission by letter received in November 2006 that Bonamia ostreae has been detected in Lough Swilly. That area was previously considered to be free of Bonamia ostreae but can therefore no longer be regarded as free of that disease.
(4)
Decision 2002/300/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: