THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community(1), and in particular the first indent of Article 15(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Article 5(1) of Directive 2000/29/EC, in conjunction with point 2.3 of Section I of Part A of Annex IV to that Directive, provides for special requirements concerning the introduction into the Union of ash (Fraxinus L.) wood originating in Canada.
(2) Canada has requested the recognition of a combination of procedures that together attain the same phytosanitary robustness as that ensured pursuant to point 2.3 of Section I of Part A of Annex IV of Directive 2000/29/EC.
(3) It appears from the official information submitted by Canada that, through an integrated systems approach applied during wood processing the risk of infestation from Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire is eliminated.
(4) That approach should be complemented by certain requirements for facilities, pre-export inspections and labelling to ensure the elimination of such risk.
(5) Those procedures should therefore be recognized as an alternative option to point 2.3 of Section I of Part A of Annex IV of Directive 2000/29/EC for imports from Canada.
(6) In order to ensure effective controls, as well as an overview of imports of ash wood and of non-compliances related to those imports, requirements should be set out concerning phytosanitary certificates, reporting of importation and notification of non-compliances.
(7) Taking into account the spread of the harmful organism Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire in North America, it is appropriate to limit the duration of the derogation to 31 December 2017.
(8) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: