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"B COMMISSION DECISION
of 26 July 1999
on certain protection measures with regard to certain fruit bats, dogs and cats coming from Malaysia (Peninsula)
and Australia
(notified under document number C(1999) 2467)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(1999/507/EC)
(OJ L 194, 27.7.1999, p. 66)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
"M1 Commission Decision 1999/643/EC of 15 September 1999 L 255 38 30.9.1999
"M2 Commission Decision 2000/6/EC of 10 December 1999 L 3 29 6.1.2000
"M3 Commission Decision 2000/708/EC of 6 November 2000 L 289 41 16.11.20001999D0507 — EN — 16.11.2000 — 003.001 — 1
COMMISSION DECISION
of 26 July 1999
on certain protection measures with regard to certain fruit bats, dogs and
cats coming from Malaysia (Peninsula) and Australia
(notified under document number C(1999) 2467)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(1999/507/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down
the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on animals
entering the Community from third countries and amending Directives
89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675/EEC (1), as last amended by Directive
96/43/EC (2), and in particular Article 18 (1) thereof,
(1) Whereas the principle animal health conditions to be complied with by
Member States when importing from third countries dogs, cats andother animals susceptible to rabies are laid down in Directive
92/65/EEC (
3); whereas however the veterinary certification is not
yet harmonized;
(2) Whereas fatal cases of Hendra disease and Nipah disease in human
have been declared respectively in Australia and in Malaysia;
(3) Whereas fruit bats of the genus Pteropus are considered the natural
host of Hendra disease virus and incriminated in being the virus
reservoir for Nipah disease; whereas however these mammals do notshow clinical signs of disease and may harbour the virus in the
presence of neutralising antibodies;
(4) Whereas fruit bats are occasionally imported from third countries;
whereas pending Community animal health conditions for imports
from third countries of fruit bats, it appears necessary to introduce
certain protection measures with regard to Hendra and Nipah diseases;
(5) Whereas Hendra disease may be transmitted by cats, and dogs and cats
contract Nipah disease; whereas the exposure to the respective virusesstimulates seroconversion in diseased and reconvalescent animals,which can be detected by laboratory testing,
(6) Whereas the presence of this zoonotic disease in the above countries is
liable to constitute a danger for persons and susceptible animals in the
Community;
(7) Whereas it is necessary to adopt protection measures at Communty
level with regard to imports of fruit bats, dogs and cats from Malaysia
(Peninsula) and Australia;
(8) Whereas this decision is in accordance with the opinion of the
Standing Veterinary Committee,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
1. The imports of fruit bats of the genus Pteropus from Malaysia (Peninsula)
and Australia are prohibited.
2. Derogation from paragraph 1 and without prejudice to the provisions of
Council Directive 92/65/EEC, fruit bats of the genus Pteropus may be
imported under the following conditions:
— the animals originate from captive colonies, and!B
(1) OJ L 268, 24.9.1991, p. 56.
(2) OJ L 162, 1.7.1996, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 268, 14.9.1992, p. 54.1999D0507 — EN — 16.11.2000 — 003.001 — 2
— the animals have been isolated in quarantine premises for at least 60 days,
and
— the animals have been subjected with negative results to a serum
neutralisation or approved ELISA test for antibody agains Hendra andNipah disease viruses, carried out in a laboratory approved for these testsby the competent anthorities on samples of blood taken on two occasions
with an interval of 21 to 30 days, the second sample to be taken within 10
days of export.
Article 2
1. The imports of dogs and cats from Malaysia (Peninsula) are prohibited.
2. Derogating from paragraph 1 dogs and cats may be imported under the
following conditions:
— the animals had no contact with pigs during at least the past 60 days prior
to export, and
— the animals have not been resident on holdings where during the past 60
days cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed, and
— the animals have been subjected with negative result to an
"M2 3IgG capture ELISA test carried out in a
laboratory approved for testing for antibody against the Nipah diseaseviruses by the competent veterinary authorities on a sample of blood
taken within 10 days of export.
3. The prohibition referred to in paragraph 1 shall not apply to dogs and cats
in transit, provided they remain within the perimeter of an internationalairport.
Article 3
1. The imports of cats from Australia are prohibited.
2. Derogating from paragraph 1 cats may be imported under the following
conditions:
— the animals have not been resident on holdings where during the past 60
days cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed.
3. The prohibition referred to in paragraph 1 shall not apply to cats in
transit, provided they remain within the perimeter of an international airport.
Article 4
Member States shall amend the measures they apply with regard to Malaysia
(Peninsula) and Australia to bring them into line with this Decision.
They shall inform the Commission thereof.
Article 5
This Decision is addressed to Member States.!B
!M2
!B
!M3
!B1999D0507 — EN — 16.11.2000 — 003.001 — 3