2003D0153 — EN — 07.03.2003 — 000.001 — 1
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►B COMMISSIONDECISION
of3March2003
concerning protection measures in relation to strong suspicion of avian influenza in the Nether-
lands
(notified under document number C(2003) 735)
(TextwithEEArelevance)
(2003/153/EC)
(OJ L 59, 4.3.2003, p. 32)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1Commission Decision 2003/156/EC of 6 March2003 L 64 36 7.3.2003
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COMMISSIONDECISION
of3March2003
concerning protection measures in relation to strong suspicion of
avianinfluenzaintheNetherlands
(notified under document number C(2003) 735)
(TextwithEEArelevance)
(2003/153/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990
concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable in intra-community trade in certain live animals and products witha view tothe completion of the internal market (
1), as last amended by Council
Directive 2002/33/EC (2), and, in particular, Article 10 thereof,
Whereas:
(1)During the night of 28 February to 1 March 2003 the veterinary
authorities of the Netherlands informed the Commission about astrong suspicion of avian influenza in several poultry flocks inthe province of Gelderland.
(2)Avian influenza is a highly contagious poultry disease that can
pose a serious threat for the poultry industry.
(3)The Dutch authorities have immediately, before the official
confirmation of the disease, implemented the measures foreseenin Council Directive 92/40/EEC (
3) introducing Community
measures for the control of avian influenza while further confir-matory diagnostic procedures are carried out.
(4)In addition, the Netherlands in cooperation with the Commis-sion, have put in place a nationwide standstill for transport oflive poultry and hatching eggs, which includes a prohibition ofdispatch of live poultry and hatching eggs to Member Statesand third countries. However, in view of the specificity of
poultry production, movements of day-old chicks and poultry
for immediate slaughter may be authorised within the Nether-lands.
(5)These measures should be adopted at Community level for thesake of clarity and transparency.
(6)The situation shall be reviewed at the meeting of the StandingCommittee on the Food Chain and Animal Health scheduled for5 March2003,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
1. Without prejudice to the measures taken by the Netherlands
within the framework of Council Directive 92/40/EEC (3) within the
surveillance zones, the Dutch veterinary authorities shall ensure that:
(a) no live poultry and hatching eggs are dispatched from the Nether-
lands to other Member States and to third countries;
(b) no live poultry and hatching eggs are transported within the Neth-
erlands.2003D0153 — EN — 07.03.2003 — 000.001 — 2
(1) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 29.
(2) OJ L 315, 19.11.2002, p. 14.
(3) OJ L 167, 22.6.1992, p. 1.
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2. By derogation from paragraph1(b), th e competent veterinary
authority, taking all appropriate bio-security measures to avoid thespread of the disease, may authorise as from 4 March the transport of:
(a) poultry for immediate slaughter to a slaughterhouse that has been
designated by the competent authority;
(b) day-old chicks to a holding under official control.
Article 2
The measures of this Decision are applicable until ►
M112.00 on 13
March2003 ◄.
Article 3
Member States shall amend the measures which they apply to trade so
as to bring them into compliance with this Decision and they shall give
immediate appropriate publicity to the measures adopted. They shall
immediately inform the Commission thereof.
Article 4
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.2003D0153 — EN — 07.03.2003 — 000.001 — 3
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