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COMMISSION DECISION
of 8 March 1989
concerning animal health conditions and veterinary certification for imports of fresh meat from the German Democratic Republic
(89/222/EEC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 72/462/EEC of 12 December 1972 on health and veterinary inspection problems upon importation of bovine animals and swine and fresh meat from third countries (1), as last amended by Directive 88/289/EEC (2), and in particular Article 16 thereof,
Whereas, following a Community veterinary mission, it appears that the animal health situation in the German Democratic Republic is good and is controlled by well structured and organized veterinary services particularly as regards diseases transmissible through meat;
Whereas the responsible veterinary authorities of the German Democratic Republic have confirmed that the German Democratic Republic has for at least 12 months been free from rinderpest, exotic foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever and contagious porcine paralysis (Teschen disease) infection and that no vaccinations have been carried out against those diseases during that time;
Whereas animal health conditions and veterinary certification must be adapted according to the animal health situation of the non-member country concerned;
Whereas certain Member States, because of their particular animal health situations concerning foot-and-mouth disease and swine fever, benefit from special provisions in intra-Community trade and should therefore also be authorized to apply special provisions in respect of imports from third countries; whereas these provisions must be at least as strict as those which the same Member States apply in intra-Community trade;
Whereas it will be necessary to re-examine this Decision with a view to its adaptation to Community rules concerning the control and eradication of foot-and-mouth disease and swine fever within the Community;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Without prejudice to the provisions of the Protocol on German internal trade and connected problems, Member States shall authorize imports of the following categories of fresh meat from the German Democratic Republic:
(a) fresh meat of domestic animals of the bovine, porcine, ovine or caprine species, conforming to the guarantees laid down in the animal health certificate in accordance with Annex A, which must accompany the consignment;
(b) fresh meat of domestic solipeds, conforming to the guarantees laid down in the animal health certificate in accordance with Annex B, which must accompany the consignment.
Article 2
1. Until the adoption by the Council of rules concerning the control and eradication of foot-and-mouth disease within the Community, and while continuing to prohibit vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease, Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland may, in respect of fresh meat of bovine animals, swine, sheep and goats referred to under Article 1 (a), retain their national animal health rules relating to protection against foot-and-mouth disease.
2. While remaining officially free from swine fever, Member States may, in respect of fresh meat of swine referred to under Article 1 (a), retain their national animal health rules relating to protection against swine fever.
Article 3
This Decision shall not apply to imports of glands and organs, including blood, authorized by the country of destination for pharmaceutical manufacturing purposes.
Article 4
This Decision shall be re-examined with a view to its adaption to Community rules concerning the control and eradication of foot-and-mouth disease and swine fever within the Community.
Article 5
This Decision shall apply with effect from 15 March 1989.
Article 6
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 8 March 1989.