Commission Decision
of 16 December 2010
amending Decision 2003/322/EC as regards certain species of necrophagous birds in Italy and Greece to which certain animal by-products may be fed
(notified under document C(2010) 8988)
(Only the Bulgarian, French, Greek, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish texts are authentic)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2010/780/EU)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Whereas:
That Decision lists the Member States authorised to make use of that possibility, the species of necrophagous birds which may be fed with the Category 1 material, and the implementing rules under which the feeding may take place.
Greece and Italy have submitted requests for the extension of the list of species on their respective territories to which the Category 1 material may be fed. Both countries have submitted satisfactory information concerning the occurrence of those species on their respective territories.
Feeding of animal carcasses to the listed species should continue to be carried out in accordance with the implementing rules laid down in Decision 2003/322/EC. Those rules have been adopted in recognition of the special feeding patterns of certain endangered or protected species in their natural habitat, in the interest of biodiversity. However, feeding of carcasses under those rules does not constitute an alternative means of disposal under Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002.
Decision 2003/322/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.
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: