Commission Implementing Decision
of 18 February 2013
approving the plan for the eradication of classical swine fever in feral pigs and the emergency vaccination of such pigs in certain areas of Latvia
(notified under document C(2013) 720)
(Only the Latvian text is authentic)
(2013/90/EU)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Directive 2001/89/EC of 23 October 2001 on Community measures for the control of classical swine fever , and in particular the second subparagraph of Article 16(1) and the fourth subparagraph of Article 20(2) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
Directive 2001/89/EC introduces the minimum Union measures for the control of classical swine fever, including those to be applied in case of confirmation of the presence of classical swine fever in feral pigs.
(2)
In November 2012 Latvia confirmed the presence of classical swine fever in feral pigs in the eastern part of its territory, along the border with Russia and Belarus.
(3)
Following the cases in the wild boar, in November 2012 classical swine fever outbreaks in backyard pig holdings were also confirmed in the same area.
(4)
Latvia has adopted disease control measures as provided for in Directive 2001/89/EC, that have lead to the eradication of the disease from those pig holdings.
(5)
In the light of the epidemiological situation, on 15 January 2013 Latvia submitted to the Commission, in accordance with Directive 2001/89/EC, a plan for the eradication of classical swine fever in the concerned area of that Member State. In addition, as Latvia intends to introduce vaccination of feral pigs, on the same date it also submitted to the Commission a vaccination plan for its approval.
(6)
The plans submitted by Latvia have been examined by the Commission and found to comply with Directive 2001/89/EC.
(7)
For the sake of trasparency, it is appropriate to set out in this Decision the geographical areas of Latvia where the eradication plan is to be implemented and where the emergency vaccination of feral pigs is to be applied.
(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:
OJ L 316, 1.12.2001, p. 5.