Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION ( EEC ) laying down control rules and measures to combat African horse sickness
Date: 1991-11-07
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: animal plague, equidae, health control

E M I S S I ON  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

COM(91) 435 final 

Brussels,  7  November 1991 

Proposal  for a 

fiflPNCg REgUlATLQNLJJICJ. 

aying  down  control  rules and measures 

to combat  African  horse  sickness 

Proposal  for a 

COUNCIL  DIRECTIVE 

?BPP 

amending  Council  Directive  90/426/EEC of 26 June 1990 

on  animal  health  conditions governing the 

movement  and  import  from  third'countries of equidae 

(presented  by the Commission) 

-  1 -

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

African  horse sickness  is a serious contagious or  infectious disease  affecting 

equidae.  It  is caused  by a virus  transmitted  by  the Cul icoTdes species. 

Horses, but  also zebras, mules and donkeys, are  the animals most  susceptible 

to this disease.  The disease  is encountered  principally  in sub-Saharan 

Africa, but  also since  1987  in the south-west  of  the  Iberian Peninsula.  The 

Community  has already  introduced  the necessary  measures  for  the 

regionalization of Spain and Portugal. 

The policy  to eradicate  this disease  is highly  dependent  on  the ecology, 

climate and geography of  the  infected  area. 

Article 5(4) of Council  Directive 90/426/EEC of  26 June  1990 on animal  health 

conditions governing  the movement  and  import  from  third  countries of  equidae 

provides  for  the adoption of Community  measures  to harmonize  rules for 

controlling  and measures  to combat  African  horse sickness. 

The purpose of  the proposed measures  is to eradicate  African  horse  sickness 

and  prevent  its spread  in the event  of  an outbreak.  The measures  involve  the 

systematic  slaughter  of  infected  animals, with or without  recourse  to 

vaccination,  according  to the ecological  and climatological  circumstances of 

the outbreak. 

The measures must  be  implemented  as soon as the presence of  the disease  is 

suspected  in order  that  effective  and  immediate  action may  be taken. 

To ensure  the effectiveness of  such measures, this proposal  places  certain 

obligations on  the Member  States, notably: 

infected  animals must  be killed  and  destroyed  where  the disease  is 

conf irmed; 

an area with  a radius of  20 km within which  strict  measures  shall  be  taken 

must  be established; 

-  2 -

an  in depth epizootiological  enquiry must  be carried  out  where  the disease 

is suspected  and confirmed; 

- 

a protection  zone  (100 km) and surveillance zone  (extending  50 km beyond 

the protection  zone) must  be established; 

laboratories providing  the necessary  technical  assistance  to ensure  proper 

application of  the control  measures against  the disease must  be set up; 

the Commission must  be  informed of  the measures  taken. 

The  financial  implications of  this proposal  have been  taken  into account  in 

Council  Decision 90/424/EEC on expenditure  in the veterinary  field. 

Directive 90/426/EEC on animal  health  conditions governing  the movement  and 

import  from  third  countries of equidae must  be amended  in order  to take 

account of  the control  rules and measures  proposed. 

-  3 -

PROPOSAL 

for a 

COUNCIL REGULATION 

laying down control  rules 

and measures  to combat  African  horse  sickness 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES, 

Having  regard  to the Treaty  establishing  the European  Economic Community  and 

in particular  Article  43 thereof, 

Having  regard  to the proposal  from  the  Commission, 

Having  regard  to the opinion of  the European  Parliament, 

Having  regard  to the opinion of  the Economic  and  Social  Committee, 

Whereas Council  Directive 90/426/EEC of  26 June  1990 on animal  health 

conditions governing  the movement  and  import  from  third  countries of  equidae1 

seeks  to  liberalize  the movement  of equidae on Community  territory; whereas, 

under  Article  5(4) thereof, Community  measures must  be  introduced  to harmonize 

rules for  controlling and measures  to combat  African  horse sickness; 

Whereas  such measures will  make  it possible  to ensure  rational  development  of 

the farming  sector  and contribute  to the protection  of  animal  health  in the 

Commun i t y ; 

Whereas an outbreak  of  this disease  can quickly  assume  epizootic  proportions, 

causing mortality  and  disturbances on a scale  likely  to severely  reduce  the 

profitability of  livestock  production; 

Whereas  control  measures must  be  taken  as soon  as the presence of  the  disease 

is suspected  so  that  immediate  and effective  action  can  be  implemented  as soon 

as  its presence  is confirmed  and  thereby  ensure  the protection of  animal 

health  in the Community; 

1  0J  No L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 42. 

-  4 -

Whereas  the measures  to be taken must  aim  to prevent  the spread  of  African 

horse sickness; whereas  a strict  control  of  the movement  of  animals  liable to 

transmit  the  infection  and a dis insectization of  infected  holdings must 

accordingly  be carried out; 

Whereas  the conditions under  which  vaccination  against  African  horse  sickness 

may  be carried  out  and  the rules governing  such  vaccination  must  be  specified; 

Whereas,  in order  to ensure more effective  control  of  the disease, action 

should  be taken  to establish protection  and  surveillance  zones, taking  into 

account  geographical, administrative, ecological  and epizootiological  factors; 

Whereas  a thorough  epizootiological  enquiry  is essential  in order  to prevent 

any spread  of  the disease, 

HAS ADOPTED THIS  REGULATION: 

Article 1 

This Regulation  lays down control  rules and measures  to combat  African  horse 

sickness. 

Art icle 2 

For  the purposes of  this Regulation,  the definitions given  in Article  2 of 

Directive 90/426/EEC  shall  apply  as and where necessary, except  that: 

"holding" means holding within  the meaning  expressed  in Directive  90/426/EEC 

and demarcated  territory on which equidae enjoy  freedom of  movement. 

Furthermore: 

a)  "owner  or  keeper" means  any natural  or  legal  person(s) having ownership of 

the equidae or  charged  with  their  keep, whether  or  not  for  financial 

reward; 

-  5  -

b)  "vector"  means  insects  liable  to  transmit  African  horse  sickness,  in 

particular  the  CulicoTdes  species; 

c)  "conf irmat ion" means  the  declaration,  by  the  competent  authority,  of  the 

presence  of  African  horse  sickness,  based  on  clinical  or  laboratory 

results; 

d)  "competent  authority"  means  the  veterinary  authority  appointed  for  the 

purpose  by  the  national  administration,  being  directly  responsible  to  the 

national  administration  within  the  scope  of  this  Regulation  and  reporting 

through  the  national  administration. 

Art icle  3 

1.  Any  person  suspecting  the  presence  of  African  horse  sickness  shall 

immediately  inform  the  competent  authority  and  the  owner  or  keeper  by  the 

most  expeditious  means  available. 

2.  Until  such  time  as  the  official  measures  laid  down  in Article  4  enter  into 

force,  the  owner  or  keeper  of  any  animal  in which  disease  is  suspected 

shall  take  all  appropriate  action  to  comply  with  the  terms  of  the  said 

art icle. 

3.  Where  information  concerning  one  or  more  equine  animals  suspected  of  being 

infected  is  received,  official  means  of  investigation  to  confirm  or  rule 

out  the  presence  of  African  horse  sickness  shall  be  set  in motion 

immediately  by  the  competent  authority.  The  official  veterinarian  shall 

carry  out  a  clinical  investigation  and  laboratory  examination  of  the 

suspect  or  dead  equidae  and  of  the  suspect  holdings.  He  shall  take 

samples  as  necessary  for  the  laboratory  examinations. 

Art icle  4 

1.  As  soon  as  the  suspicion  of  infection  has  been  notified,  the  competent 

authority  shall  place  the  suspect  holding(s)  as  well  as  all  other  holdings 

situated  within  a  20  km  radius  of  it  (them) under  official  surveillance 

and  shall  order  in  respect  of  the  area  concerned  that: 

- 6 -

a)  an official  census be made of  the species of  equidae  and of  the  number 

of equidae  already  dead,  infected or  liable to be  infected.  The 

census must  be kept  up  to date by  the owner  or  keeper  to take account 

of equidae  born or  dying  during  the period  of  suspicion;  the 

information  in the census must  be produced  at  the  request  of  the 

competent  authority  and may  be checked  at each  inspection; 

b)  the holdings be visited  regularly  by  the official  veterinarian  and 

that  each equine  animal  be examined; 

c)  all  equidae on  the holdings be kept  in their  living quarters or  some 

other  place protected  against  the vector; 

d)  all  movement  of equidae  be  prohibited; 

e)  appropriate means of  disinsectization be employed  in and  around  the 

bu iId ings hous ing the equidae; 

f)  a census be made of places  liable  to encourage  the survival  of  the 

vector  or  accommodate  it and appropriate means of  disinsectization be 

employed  in such places; 

g)  an epizootiological  enquiry be carried out. 

The epizootiological  enquiry  shall  deal  with: 

the  length of  time during which  the disease may  have existed  on 

the holding  before being  notified or  suspected; 

the possible origin of  the disease on  the holding  and  the 

identification of other  holdings on which  there  are equidae  which 

may  have become  infected; 

the presence  and  distribution  of  disease  vectors; 

the movement  of equidae  to or  from  the  infected  holdings. 

- 7 -

2.  In  the  case  that  the  zone  referred  to  in paragraph  1  is situated  on  the 

territory  of  several  Member  States,  the  competent  authorities  of  the 

Member  States  concerned  shall  collaborate  with  a  view  to  establishing  the 

area  covered  by  that  zone.  If necessary,  the  zone  shall  be  established  in 

accordance  with  the  procedure  laid  down  in Article  15. 

3.  If necessary,  the  arrangements  for  application  of  the  measures  provided 

for  in paragraph  1  to  demarcated  territory  on  which  equidae  have  freedom 

of  movement  shall  be  determined  in accordance  with  the  procedure  laid  down 

in Art icle  15. 

4.  At  all  events,  the  measures  covered  by  this  article  shall  be  officially 

discontinued  by  the  competent  authority  only  when  there  is no  longer  a 

suspicion  of  the  presence  of  African  horse  sickness. 

Art icle  5 

Vaccination  against  African  horse  sickness  shall  be  prohibited  where  such 

vaccination  is not  practised  in accordance  with  the  rules  laid  down  in  this 

Régulât ion. 

Art icle  6 

1.  As  soon  as  the  infection  of  one  or  more  equine  animals  on  a  holding  is 

confirmed,  the  competent  authority  shall  order,  in  the  zone  referred  to  in 

Artcle  4,  in addition  to  the  measures  set  out  in  that  article,  that  the 

following  measures  be  taken: 

a)  The  official  veterinarian  shall  take  adequate  samples  with  a  view  to 

the  examinations  to  be  carried  out  by  the  laboratory. 

b)  Infected  equidae  shall,  after  dying  or  being  killed,  be  destroyed  by 

burning  or  disposed  of  by  burial  in accordance  with  Council 

Directive  90/667/EEC  of  27  November  1990  laying  down  the  veterinary 

rules  for  the  disposal  and  processing  of  animal  waste,  for  its  placing 

on  the  market  and  for  the  prevention  of  pathogens  in  feedstuffs  of 

animal  or  fish  origin  and  amending  Directive  90/425/EEC1. 

1 

OJ  No  L  363,  27.12.1990,  p.  51. 

-  8 

c)  The  competent  authority  shall  ensure  the  systematic  vaccination  of  all 

equidae  and  their  identification  by  a  clear,  indelible  mark  applied  by 

an  approved  method  in accordance  with  the  procedure  laid  down  in 

Article  15.  However,  on  the  basis  of  the  epizootic,  meteorological, 

geographical  or  climatologicaI  circumstances,  the  vaccination 

requirements  may  be  waived  in accordance  with  the  procedure  laid  down 

in Art icle  14. 

2.  The  competent  authority  may  extend  the  measures  provided  for  in 

paragraph  1  if, on  account  of  the  geographical,  ecological  or 

meteorological  situation  or  of  movements  to or  from  the  holding  where  the 

disease  has  been  confirmed,  there  are  grounds  for  suspecting  an  extension 

of  African  horse  sickness. 

3.  Where,  in a  given  region,  an  epizootic  outbreak  of  African  horse  sickness 

is exceptionally  serious,  all  supplementary  measures  to  be  taken  by  the 

Member  States  concerned  shall  be  adopted  in accordance  with  the  procedure 

laid  down  i n A r t i c l e 1 5. 

4.  In order  to  provide  full  coordination  of  all  measures  necessary  to  ensure 

eradication  of  the  disease  as  quickly  as  possible  and  for  the  purpose  of 

carrying  out  the  epizootiological  enquiry,  a  crisis  unit  shall  be 

established. 

The  general  rules  concerning  national  crisis  units  and  the  Community 

crisis  unit,  laid  down  by  Council  Regulation  (EEC)  No  ....  shall  apply. 

Art icle  7 

1.  In addition  to  the  measures  referred  to  in Article  6,  the  competent 

authority  shall  establish  a  protection  zone  and  a  surveillance  zone.  The 

establishment  of  the  zones  shall  take  account  of  the  geographical, 

administrative,  ecological  and  epizootic  factors  connected  with  African 

horse  sickness  and  of  the  means  of  control. 

2.  a) 

The  protection  zone  shall  consist  of  a  part  of  Community  territory 

with  a  radius  of  at  least  100  km  around  any  infected  holding. 

- 9 -

b)  The surveillance zone shall  consist  of  a part  of  Community  territory 

of  at  least  50 km extending  beyond  the protection  zone,  in which  no 

systematic vaccination has been carried out  in the  last  12 months. 

c) 

In the case  that  such a zone or  zones are situated  on  the  territory of 

several  Member  States, the competent  authorities of  the Member  States 

concerned  shall  collaborate  in order  to establish  the zones  referred 

to  in a) and b ).  However,  if necessary,  the protection  zone and  the 

surveillance zone shall  be established  in accordance  with  the 

procedure  laid down  in Article 15. 

3.  Following  a visit  by  the Commission's experts, a decision may  be  taken,  in 

accordance with  the procedure  laid down  in Article  15, with  a view  to 

amending  the establishment  of  the zones defined  in paragraph  2, taking 

into account : 

their  geographical  situation and ecological  factors; 

the meteorological  conditions; 

the presence  and distribution of  the vector-, 

the results of  the epizootiological  studies carried  out  in accordance 

with  this Regulation; 

the results of  the  laboratory  examinations; 

the application of  the control  measures,  in particular  the 

disinsectization measures. 

Art icle 8 

1.  The  following measures shall  be applied  in the protection  zone: 

a)  a census of  all  the holdings comprising equidae  shall  be undertaken; 

b)  regular  inspection  by  the official  veterinarian of  all  the holdings; 

c)  the movement  and  transport  of equidae on public or  private  roads, 

excluding  the service  roads of  holdings, shall  be  prohibited; 

- l O-

ti) equidae may  not  be removed  from  the holding on which  they  are kept, 

except  to be  transported  directly  under  official  supervision  to a 

slaughterhouse  for emergency  slaughter  located  in that  zone or, if 

that  zone has no slaughterhouse under  veterinary  supervision,  to a 

slaughterhouse  in the surveillance zone designated  by  the  competent 

author ity. 

2.  In addition  to the measures provided  for  in paragraph  1, a decision  to 

carry out  systematic  vaccination of equidae  against  African  horse  sickness 

may  be  taken under  the procedure  laid down  in Article  15  in the protection 

zone which  is not  covered  by  the provisions of Article  6(1)(c) concerning 

vaccination.  The details concerning  the  implementation of  such 

vaccinâtionshalI  be decided, where necessary,  according  to the same 

procedure. 

3.  Derogations  from paragraph  1(c) and  (d) may  be adopted  in accordance with 

the procedure  laid down  in Artcle  15,  in particular  with  regard  to the re 

stocking of  infected  holdings. 

4.  The procedure  laid down  in Article  15 shall  be used  to determine  the 

possible  need  for  sentinel  animals and  the period of  application of  the 

measures provided  for  in paragraphs  1 and  2, which  shall  not  be  less than 

12 months where  vaccination has been decided  in accordance with 

paragraph  2. 

Art icle 9 

1.  The measures provided  for  in Article 8(1) shall  apply  in the surveillance 

zone.  However,  if the surveillance  zone has no slaughterhouse,  the 

equidae may  be slaughtered  in the protection  zone  in a slaughterhouse 

designated  by  the competent  authority. 

2.  All  vaccination  against  African  horse  sickness shall  be prohibited  in the 

surveiI lance zone. 

3.  The  rules governing  the movement  of equidae  in the surveillance  zone and 

the period  of  application  of  the measures  specified  in paragraph  1, which 

shall  not  be  less than  the period  laid down  in article  8(4), shall  be 

determined  in accordance  with  the procedure  laid down  in Article  15. 

-  11 -

4.  The  rules governing  the movement  of equidae between  the protection  zone 

and  the surveillance  zone shall  be determined  in accordance with  the 

procedure  laid down  in Article  15.  The  rules shall  prohibit  the  removal 

from  the holding on which  they  are kept of equidae  vaccinated  less than 

60 days previously. 

Article  10 

Notwithstanding  Article 8(1)(c) and  (d) and Article  9(1), equidae  from  the 

protection  zone and  from  the surveillance  zone may  be  transported  under 

official  and continuous  supervision  and under  the conditions  laid down  in 

Article  5(3) of  Directive 90/426/EEC  to the quarantine  station  referred  to in 

Article 5(3)(d) of  that  Directive. 

Article 11 

The competent  authority  shall  take all  necessary  measures,  including  the use 

of prominent  signposts and warning  notices and use of media  resources  such  as 

the press and  television  to ensure  that  all  persons  in the protection  and 

surveillance zones are  fully aware of  the restrictions  in force, and shall 

take such  steps as may  be considered  appropriate  to ensure  the  adequate 

enforcement  of  those measures. 

Article 12 

1.  In each Member  State, a national  laboratory  shall  be designated  to carry 

out  the  laboratory  examinations  stipulated  in this Regulation.  Member 

States shall  notify  the Commission  and other  Member  States of  the national 

Iaborator i es des i gnated. 

2.  The Community  reference  laboratory  for African horse  sickness  is given  in 

the Annex.  The scope and duties of  this  laboratory  shall  be defined  in 

accordance with  the procedure  laid down  in Article  15  insofar  as  they  have 

not  already  been established under  Article  28 of Council  Decision  Decision 

90/424/EEC of  26 June  1990 on expenditure  in the veterinary  field1. 

1  OJ  No L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 19 

-  12 -

3.  The national  laboratories  referred  to  in paragraph  1 shall  cooperate  with 

the Community  reference  laboratory,  in particular  concerning  confirmation 

of  the  type and  sub-type of  the relevant  virus and  implementation of  the 

vaccination measures. 

4.  Methods of  diagnosis shall  be established, where necessary,  in accordance 

with  the procedure  laid down  in Article 15. 

Article 13 

Commission  veterinary experts may,  insofar  as  is necessary  for  the uniform 

application of  this Regulation  and  in collaboration with  the  competent 

national  authorities, carry out  checks  in situ.  The Commission  shall 

inform  the Member  States of  the results of  the checks undertaken. 

A Member  State on whose  territory  such  a check  is carried  out  shall 

provide  the experts with all  the necessary  assistance  for  the 

accomplishment  of  their  task. 

The  form  and manner  of  implementation of  this article  shall  be  determined 

in accordance with  the procedure  laid down  in Article 15. 

Article 14 

1.  Each Member  State shall  draw up a contingency plan, specifying  how  it will 

implement  the measures  laid down  in this Regulation. 

This plan should  allow access  to facilities, equipment, personnel  and all 

other  appropriate materials necessary  for  the rapid  and  efficient 

eradication of  the disease. 

2.  The criteria  to be applied  for  drawing  up  those plans shall  be  those  laid 

down  in Commission  Decision 91/42/EEC which  shall  apply  mutatis  mutandis. 

The Commission  may,  in accordance  with Article  15, amend  or  supplement 

those criteria  taking  into account  the specific  nature of  the disease. 

-  13 -

3.  Plans drawn up  in accordance  with  the criteria  provided  for  in paragraph  2 

shall  be submitted  to the Commission  not  later  than  three months  after 

this Regulation  enters  into force. 

4.  The Commission  shall  examine  the plans  in order  to determine whether  they 

permit  the desired  objective  to be attained  and  shall  suggest  to the 

Member  State concerned  any amendments  required,  in particular  to ensure 

that  they  are compatible  with  those of  the other  Member  States. 

The Commission  shall  approve  the plans,  if necessary  amended,  in 

accordance with  the procedure  laid down  in Article 15. 

The plans may  subsequently  be amended,  in accordance with  the same 

procedure,  to take  into account  developments  in the situation. 

Art icle 15 

1.  The Commission  shall  be assisted  by  the Standing  Veterinary  Committee  set 

up by Council  Decision  68/361/EEC1, hereinafter  referred  to as  "the 

Committee". 

2.  Where  the procedure  laid down  in this article  is to be  followed, the 

following  provisions shall  apply. 

The  representative of  the Commission  shall  submit  to the Committee  a draft 

of  the measures  to be taken.  The Committee  shall  deliver  its opinion on 

the draft  within  a time  limit  which  the Chairman  may  lay down  according  to 

the urgency  of  the matter,  if necessary  by  taking  a vote. 

The opinion  shall  be  recorded  in the minutes;  in addition, each  Member 

State may  ask  to have  its position  recorded  in the minutes. 

The Commission  shall  take  the utmost  account  of  the opinion  delivered by 

the Committee.  It shall  inform  the Committee  of  the manner  in which  its 

opinion  has been  taken  into account. 

1  OJ  No L 255, 18.10.1968, p. 23. 

-  14  -

Article  16 

This  Regulation  shall  enter  into  into  force  30  days  following  its  publication 

in  the  Official  Journal  of  the  European  Communities. 

This  Regulation  shall  be  binding  in  its  entirety  and  directly  applicable  in 

a I I Member  States. 

Done  at  Brussels, 

For  the  CounciI 

-  15  -

ANNEX 

Laboratorio  de  sanidad  y  produce ion  animal 

Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentacion 

Ctra.  Madrid-1 run,  Desv.  Algete,  Km  5,400 

28110  Algete,  Madrid 

Spa in. 

-  16 -

PROPOSAL 

for a 

COUNCIL  DIRECTIVE 

Of 

amending  Directive Council  Directive 90/426/EEC of  26 June  1990 on animal 

health  conditions governing  the movement  and  import  from  third  countries of 

equidae 

THE COUNCIL  OF THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES, 

Having  regard  to the Treaty  establishing  the European  Economic  Community,  and 

in particular  Article  43 thereof, 

Having  regard  to the proposal  from  the  Commission, 

Having  regard  to the opinion of  the European  Parliament, 

Having  regard  to the opinion of  the Economic  and  Social  Committee, 

Whereas Directive 90/426/EEC  lays down animal  health  conditions governing  the 

movement  and  import  from  third  countries of equidae1, whereas  the said 

Directive  defines  the criteria  by which  parts of  the  territory  of a Member 

State are considered  to be  infected with African  horse  sickness and  lays down 

the rules applicable  to Member  States  free  from  the disease-, 

Whereas  Regulation  (EEC)  ..../91  lays down  relevant  control  rules; whereas 

Directive 90/426/EEC must  accordingly  be amended  in order  to take account  of 

these provisions, 

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 

1  OJ  No L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 42. 

-  17 -

Article 1 

Directive 90/426/EEC  is hereby  amended  as follows: 

1.  Article  2(f)  is replaced  by  the following: 

"f)  'Third  country  free from African  horse sickness' means  any  third  country 

in which  there has been no clinical, serological  (in unvaccinated  equidae) or 

epidemiological  evidence of African horse sickness on  the  territory  concerned 

in the previous  two years and  in which  there have been no vaccinations against 

the disease during  the previous  12 months." 

2.  Article 5  is replaced  by  the following: 

"Article 5 

1.  A Member  State may  dispatch  equidae  from  that  part  of  its territory 

which  is considered  to be  infected within  the meaning of 

paragraph  2(a) only  under  the conditions  set out  in paragraph  3. 

2.a) 

The part  of  the  territory  considered  to be  infected with  African 

horse sickness shall  comprise  a protection  zone and  a surveillance 

zone established  in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation  (EEC) 

.../91. 

b) 

All  vaccinated  equidae  found  in the protection  zone must  be 

registered  and  identified  in accordance  with  Artice  6(1)(c) of 

Regulation  (EEC)  .../91. 

The  identification document  and/or  health  certificate shaI I carry 

a clear  reference  to such  vaccination. 

3.  A Member  State may  dispatch  from  the  territory  referred  to in 

paragraph  2(a) only  equidae which meet  the  following  requirements: 

a) 

they must  be dispatched  only  during  certain  periods of  the year, 

having  regard  to the activity  of  vector  insects, to be  determined 

by  the Commission; 

- 18 -

b) 

they must  show no clinical  symptom  of African  horse sickness on 

the day of  the  inspection  referred  to  in Article 4(1); 

c) -  if they  have not  been  vaccinated  against  African  horse sickness, 

they must  have undergone  and  reacted  negatively  to a complement 

fixation  test  for African  horse sickness  as described  in Annex  D, 

on  two occasions, with  an  interval  of between  21 and  30 days 

between  the two tests, the second  of which  must  have been  carried 

out  during  the  10 days prior  to dispatch, 

if they  have been  vaccinated,  they must  not  have  undergone 

vaccination during  the previous  two months  and must  have  undergone 

the  fixation  test  described  in Annex  D at  the aforementioned 

intervals without  having  recorded  an  increase  in the  antibody 

count.  The Commission  may,  following  the opinion of  the 

Scientific  Veterinary  Committee,  recognize other  monitoring 

methods; 

d) 

they must  have been kept  in a quarantine  station  for  a minimum 

period of  40 days prior  to dispatch.  The quarantine  stations 

concerned  shall, where  necessary, be approved  by  the  Commission; 

e) 

they must  have been protected  from  vector  insects during  the 

period of  quarantine  and  during  transportation  from  the quarantine 

station  to the place of  dispatch". 

Art icle 2 

The  implementing  decisions  adopted  on  the basis of Article  5 of 

Directive  90/426/EEC  shall  remain  valid. 

Artcle 3 

Member  States shall  bring  into force  the  laws, regulations  and  administrative 

provisions  necessary  to comply  with  this Directive  no  later  than 

31 December  1991.  They  shall  forthwith  inform  the Commission  thereof. 

-  19 -

Where Member  States adopt  such provisions, the  latter  shall  contain a 

reference  to this Directive or shall  be accompanied  by such  a reference  at  the 

time of  their official  publication.  The  form of  such  reference  shall  be 

determined  by  the Member States. 

Art icle 4 

This Directive  is addressed  to the Member  States. 

Done at Brussels, 

For  the CounciI 

ISSN 0254-1475 

CQM(91) 435 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

03 

Catalogue number : CB-CO-91-496-EN-C 

ISBN 92-77-77346-4 

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