COMMISSION DECISION of 2 October 1997 on marking and use of pigmeat in application of Article 9 of Council Directive 80/217/EEC concerning Belgium (Text with EEA relevance) (97/650/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 80/217/EEC of 22 January 1980 introducing Community measures for the control of classical swine fever (1), as last amended by Decision 93/384/EEC (2), and in particular Article 9 (6) (g) thereof,
Whereas in September 1997 outbreaks of classical swine fever in the Netherlands were declared by the Dutch veterinary authorities;
Whereas in accordance with Article 9 (1) of Directive 80/217/EEC a surveillance zone was immediately established around outbreak sites;
Whereas the surveillance zone for outbreaks confirmed in RVV Kring Weert on 5 September 1997 was established in collaboration with the Belgian veterinary authorities as the zones included part of the territory of Belgium;
Whereas all pig holdings in the part of the surveillance zone covering a part of the territory of Belgium have been subject to a weekly inspection by a veterinarian. During this inspection samples for laboratory examination are collected if deemed necessary. No evidence of classical swine fever in the zone has been detected;
Whereas the provisions for the use of a health mark on fresh meat are given in Council Directive 64/433/EEC on health conditions for the production and marketing of fresh meat (3) as last amended by Directive 95/23/EC (4);
Whereas Belgium has submitted a request for the adoption of a specific solution concerning marking and use of pigmeat coming from pigs kept on holdings situated in an established surveillance zone and slaughtered subject to a specific authorization issued by the competent authority;
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
1. Without prejudice for the provisions of Council Directive 80/217/EEC, in particular Article 9 (6), Belgium is authorized to apply the mark described in Article 3 (1) (A) (e) of Directive 64/433/EEC to pigmeat obtained from pigs originating from holdings situated in a surveillance zone in Belgium established in accordance with the provisions of Article 9 (1) of Directive 80/217/EEC on the condition that the pigs in question:
(a) originate from a holding to which, following the epidemiological inquiry, no contact has been established with an infected holding;
(b) originate from a holding which for a period of at least 3 weeks has been subject to a weekly inspection by a veterinarian. The inspection has included all pigs kept on the holding;
(c) have been subject to protection measures established in accordance with the provisions of Article 9 (6) (f) and (6) (g) of Directive 80/217/EEC;
(d) have been included in a programme for monitoring body temperature and clinical examination. The programme shall be carried out as given in Annex I;
(e) have been slaughtered within 12 hours of arrival at the slaughterhouse.
2. Belgium shall ensure that a certificate as given in Annex II is issued in respect of meat referred to in paragraph 1.
Article 2
Pigmeat which complies with the conditions of Article 1 (1) and enters into intra-Community trade must be accompanied by the certificate referred to in Article 1 (2).
Article 3
Belgium shall ensure that abattoirs designated to receive the pigs referred to in Article 1 (1) do not on the same day accept pigs for slaughter other than the pigs in question.
Article 4
Belgium shall provide Member States and the Commission with:
(a) the name and location of slaughterhouses designated to receive pigs for slaughter referred to in Article 1 (1):
(b) a monthly report which contains information on:
- the area to which the provisions of Article 1 apply;
- number of pigs slaughtered at the designated slaughterhouses;
- the identification system and movement controls applied to slaughter pigs, as required in accordance with Article 9 (6) (f) (i) of Directive 80/217/EEC;
- instructions issued concerning the application of the programme for monitoring body temperature referred to in Annex I.
Article 5
This Decision is applicable until 1 November 1997.
Article 6
This Decision is addressed to Member States.
Done at Brussels, 2 October 1997.