COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 97/12/EC of 17 March 1997 amending and updating Directive 64/432/EEC on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in bovine animals and swine
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas important progress has been made in the harmonization of the veterinary field, in particular through the adoption by the Council of Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products with a view to the completion of the internal market (4), Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries and amending Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675/EEC (5), Directive 85/511/EEC of 18 November 1985 introducing Community measures for the control of foot-and-mouth disease (6), and 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 (7);
Whereas the Council in its resolution 94/C 16/01 of 22 December 1993 on the strengthening of veterinary epidemiological surveillance measures (8) agreed to do everything in its power to ensure rapid implementation of the principles of that resolution in the context of the amendment of Directive 64/432/EEC of 26 June 1964 on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in bovine animals and swine (9);
Whereas it is necessary, in the light of this situation, to amend Directive 64/432/EEC in particular as regards the period of residence in a Member State prior to movement, rules for trade in animals under 15 days old, rules for control of certain diseases and rules applicable to assembly centres, transporters and dealers;
Whereas for the purpose of rapid and accurate tracing of animals for animal health reasons each Member State should create a computerized database which shall record the identity of the animals, all holdings on their territory and the movements of the animals;
Whereas Directive 64/432/EEC has been substantially amended on a number of occasions; whereas for the sake of clarity that Directive should be updated,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
As from 1 July 1998 the Articles and the Annexes to Directive 64/432/EEC are hereby replaced by the text annexed to this Directive.
Article 2
1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive not later than 1 July 1998. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.
When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such a reference shall be laid down by the Member States.
2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the texts of the main provisions of domestic law which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive.
Article 3
This Directive shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.
Article 4
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 17 March 1997.