http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/eudn/2011/648

Commission Implementing Decision

of 4 October 2011

amending Decision 2008/185/EC as regards the inclusion of Belgium in the list of Member States free of Aujeszky’s disease

(notified under document C(2011) 6997)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2011/648/EU)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Directive 64/432/EEC of 26 June 1964 on animal health problems affecting intra-Community trade in bovine animals and swine1, and in particular Articles 9(2) and 10(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

Directive 64/432/EEC lays down rules applicable to trade in the Union in bovine animals and swine. Article 9 of that Directive lays down criteria for the approval of compulsory national control programmes for certain contagious diseases, including Aujeszky’s disease. In addition, Article 10 of that Directive provides that where a Member State considers its territory or part thereof to be free of such diseases, including Aujeszky’s disease, it is to present appropriate supporting documentation to the Commission.

(2)

Commission Decision 2008/185/EC of 21 February 2008 on additional guarantees in intra-Community trade of pigs relating to Aujeszky’s disease and criteria to provide information on this disease2 lays down the additional guarantees for movements of pigs between Member States. Those guarantees are linked to the classification of Member States according to their Aujeszky’s disease status.

(3)

Annex I to Decision 2008/185/EC lists Member States or regions thereof which are free of Aujeszky’s disease and where vaccination is prohibited. Annex II to that Decision lists Member States or regions thereof where approved national control programmes for the eradication of Aujeszky’s disease are in place.

(4)

Belgium is currently listed in Annex II to Decision 2008/185/EC, as a Member State where approved national control programmes for the eradication of Aujeszky’s disease have been implemented.

(5)

Belgium has now submitted documentation in support of its application to declare that Member State free from Aujeszky’s disease.

(6)

Following the evaluation of the supporting documentation submitted by that Member State, it is appropriate that Belgium be no longer listed in Annex II to Decision 2008/185/EC, but instead be listed in Annex I thereto.

(7)

Decision 2008/185/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(8)

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: