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COMMISSION DECISION

of 16 October 1990

concerning certain protection measures relating to classical swine fever in Belgium

(90/512/EEC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic 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 with a view to the completion of the internal market (1), and in particular Article 10 thereof,

Having regard to Council Directive 89/662/EEC of 11 December 1989 concerning veterinary checks in intra-Community trade with a view to the completion of the internal market (2), and in particular Article 9 thereof,

Whereas several outbreaks of classical swine fever have occurred in different parts of Belgium;

Whereas these outbreaks are liable to endanger the herds of other Member States, in view of the trade in live pigs, fresh pigmeat and certain meat-based products;

Whereas as a result of the epizootic of classical swine fever, the Commission adopted Decision 90/161/EEC of 30 March 1990 concerning certain protection measures relating to classical swine fever in Belgium (3), as last amended by Decision 90/477/EEC (4);

Whereas it appears necessary to adjust the restrictive measures to take account of the evolution of the disease;

Whereas in the interest of clarity Decision 90/161/EEC should therefore be repealed and a consolidated text adopted;

Whereas the Belgian authorities have undertaken for a specific geographical area to examine clinically all pigs intended for slaughter; whereas the pigs in that area will undergo random serological tests and be slaughtered in a designated abattoir;

Whereas the authorities of Belgium have engaged themselves to implement national measures that are necessary to guarantee the efficient implementation of the Decision;

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. The Kingdom of Belgium shall not send to other Member States:

- live pigs, after 17 October, coming from those parts of its territory described in the Annex;

- fresh pigmeat and pigmeat products obtained from pigs slaughtered after 1 February 1990, coming from those parts of its territory described in the Annex.

2. The restrictions described in paragraph 1 shall not apply to meat products which have undergone one of the treatments laid down in Article 4 (1) of Council Directive 80/215/EEC of 22 January 1980 on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in meat products (5).

3. The restrictions described in paragraph 1 shall with effect from 17 October not apply to fresh pigmeat and products based on pigmeat:

(a) obtained from pigs:

- slaughtered after 15 October 1990;

- coming from those parts of the territory described in the Annex;

- which have been submitted to a health examination at the herd of origin by a veterinarian designated by the competent veterinary authorities and found to have presented no sign of disease; this examination must have taken place within 24 hours of slaughter;

- originating from a herd where a random blood test has been carried out and the result of the test is negative;

- which have been transported directly in a sealed means of transport from the herd of origin to the designated abattoir, the means of transport utilized cleaned and disinfected before and after each journey,

and

(b) dispatched in a sealed means of transport.

Article 2

1. The health certificate provided for in Council Directive 64/432/EEC of 26 June 1964 on animal health problems affecting intra-Community trade in bovine animals and swine (1) accompanying pigs sent from Belgium must be completed by the following:

'Animals in accordance with Commission Decision 90/512/EEC of 16 October 1990 concerning certain protection measures relating to classical swine fever in Belgium'.

2. The health certificate provided for in Council Directive 64/433/EEC of 26 June 1964, on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in fresh meat (2) accompanying pigmeat sent from Belgium must be completed by the following:

'Meat in accordance with Commission Decision 90/512/EEC of 16 October 1990, concerning certain protection measures relating to classical swine fever in Belgium.'

3. The health certificate provided for in Council Directive 77/99/EEC of 21 December 1976, on animal health problems affecting intra-Community trade in meat products (3) accompanying meat products sent from Belgium must be completed by the following:

'Products in accordance with Commission Decision 90/512/EEC of 16 October 1990, concerning certain protection measures relating to classical swine fever in Belgium.'

Article 3

Decision 90/161/EEC is hereby repealed.

Article 4

The Member States shall amend the measures which they apply to trade so as to bring them into compliance with this Decision. They shall immediately inform the Commission thereof.

Article 5

The Commission will follow developments in the situation and may amend this Decision in the light of such developments.

Article 6

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 16 October 1990.

For the Commission

Ray MAC SHARRY

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ No L 224, 18. 8. 1990, p. 29.

(2) OJ No L 395, 30. 12. 1989, p. 13.

(3) OJ No L 90, 5. 4. 1990, p. 26.

(4) OJ No L 261, 25. 9. 1990, p. 31.

(5) OJ No L 47, 21. 2. 1980, p. 4.

(1) OJ No 121, 29. 7. 1964, p. 1977/64.

(2) OJ No 121, 29. 7. 1964, p. 2012/64.

(3) OJ No L 26, 31. 1. 1977, p. 85.

ANNEX

A) The Commune of Pittem.

B) All parts of the Communes of Wingene, Meulebeke and Tielt situated west of the national road N 327, national road N 370 and the national road N 399.

C) The part of the Commune of Ardooie situated east of the motorway A 17.