Council Directive 2002/60/EC
of 27 June 2002
laying down specific provisions for the control of African swine fever and amending Directive 92/119/EEC as regards Teschen disease and African swine fever
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 92/119/EEC of 17 December 1992 introducing general Community measures for the control of certain animal diseases and specific measures relating to swine vesicular disease , and in particular Article 15 and Article 24(1) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas:
(1)
The general measures laid down in Directive 92/119/EEC are aimed at preventing the further spread of certain animal diseases of major economic importance and in particular at controlling the movement of animals and products liable to spread the infection.
(2)
The International Office of Epizootics (OIE) is the technical reference body for animal health recognised by the World Trade Organisation. It has drawn up a list of epidemic animal diseases of major economic importance (List A).
(3)
It is necessary and appropriate that Directive 92/119/EEC should apply to all the epidemic diseases on List A, with the exception of those for which specific provision has already been made at Community level.
(4)
Teschen disease is no longer included in List A. It is therefore appropriate to delete that disease from the list set out in Annex I to Directive 92/119/EEC.
(5)
African swine fever is a disease of major economic importance, included in List A, which occurs in certain limited areas of the Community. It is therefore appropriate to establish Community measures for the control of that disease.
(6)
African swine fever should be included in the list set out in Annex I to Directive 92/119/EEC and specific provisions for its control should be laid down in accordance with Article 15 of that Directive.
(7)
Measures should be adopted to control the movement of pigs and their products from areas subject to restrictions arising from an outbreak of African swine fever. Such measures should be similar to those established at Community level for the control of other pig diseases such as swine vesicular disease and classical swine fever.
(8)
In particular, Council Directive 2001/89/EC of 23 October 2001 on Community measures for the control of classical swine fever should be used as a model for the establishment of specific measures for the control of African swine fever. However, adjustments should be made particularly because of the differences between the two diseases, the current lack of vaccines and especially the incubation period for African swine fever and the possibility that this disease is transmitted by vectors.
(9)
The measures necessary for the implementation of this Directive should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission ,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
OJ L 62, 15.3.1993, p. 69. Directive as last amended by the 1994 Act of Accession.
OJ L 316, 1.12.2001, p. 5.
OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.