Decision of the EFTA surveillance authority

No 155/03/COL

of 18 July 2003

approving the programme with a view to obtaining the status of approved zone with regard to the fish diseases viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) and infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN) submitted by Iceland

THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY,

Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (hereinafter referred to as "the EEA Agreement"), in particular Article 109 thereof and Protocol 1 thereto,

Having regard to the Agreement between the EFTA States on the establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice, and in particular Article 5(2)(d) thereof and Protocol 1 thereto,

Having regard to the Act referred to at point 4.1.5 of Chapter I of Annex I to the EEA Agreement concerning the animal health conditions governing the placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products (Council Directive 91/67/EEC), as last amended by Council Directive 98/45/EC, as adapted by way of Protocol 1 to the EEA Agreement and by sectoral adaptations to Annex I to the same Agreement, and in particular Article 10(2) of the Act,

Having regard to the EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 15/94/COL of 10 March 1994 empowering the Member with special responsibility for free movement of goods to take certain decisions and measures, and in particular point 1 thereof,

Whereas in order to obtain, for one or more of the fish diseases viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) and infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN), the status of approved zone and of approved fish farm situated in a non-approved zone, Member States shall submit the appropriate justifications and the national rules ensuring compliance with the conditions laid down in Directive 91/67/EEC;

Whereas the Government of Iceland on 7 July 1999 submitted to the EFTA Surveillance Authority a programme designed in order to obtain the status of approved zone for viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) and infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN), for its territory;

Whereas the Government of Iceland has provided the additional information requested from the Authority;

Whereas the programme and the additional information submitted by the Government of Iceland identifies the geographical zone concerned, the measures to be taken by the official services, the procedures to be followed by the laboratories, the prevalence of the diseases in question and the measure to combat them should they be detected;

Whereas an assessment of the programme by an external expert has shown it to comply with Article 10 of Council Directive 91/67/EEC;

Whereas the assessment of the information provided by the Government of Iceland has also documented that the health status in Iceland with regard to the two diseases VHS and IHN is at least equivalent to that of a zone in the European Union which has approved status for both diseases;

Whereas the EFTA Surveillance Authority by its Decision 114/03/COL referred the matter to the EFTA Veterinary Committee assisting the EFTA Surveillance Authority;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the EFTA Veterinary Committee assisting the EFTA Surveillance Authority,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

1. The programme submitted by Iceland on 7 July 1999 for the purpose of obtaining the status of approved zone with regard to the fish diseases viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) and infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN) is hereby approved.

2. This Decision shall enter into force on 21 July 2003.

3. This Decision is addressed to Iceland.

4. This Decision shall be authentic in the English language.

Done at Brussels, 18 July 2003.

For the EFTA Surveillance Authority

Niels Fenger

Director