THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Directive 2006/88/EC of 24 October 2006 on animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof, and on the prevention and control of certain diseases in aquatic animals(1), and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 44(1) and Article 49(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Commission Decision 2009/177/EC of 31 October 2008 implementing Council Directive 2006/88/EC as regards surveillance and eradication programmes and disease-free status of Member States, zones and compartments(2) sets out a list of Member States, zones and compartments subject to approved surveillance programmes, with regard to one or more of the non-exotic diseases listed in Part II of Annex IV to Directive 2006/88/EC (‘non-exotic diseases’). That Decision also sets out a list of Member States, zones and compartments declared disease-free with regard to one or more of those diseases.
(2) Part B of Annex I to Decision 2009/177/EC sets out the list of Member States, zones and compartments subject to approved eradication programmes and Part C of that Annex sets out the list of Member States, zones and compartments declared disease-free with regard to one or more non-exotic diseases.
(3) Finland has submitted to the Commission documentation regarding the municipalities of Uusikaupunki, Pyhäranta and Rauma being free from viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS).
(4) The United Kingdom has submitted to the Commission documentation regarding the south west Shetland Islands being free from infectious salmon anaemia (ISA).
(5) Parts B and C of Annex I to Decision 2009/177/EC should therefore be amended 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: