Proposal for a Council Directive laying down specific provisions for the control and eradication of bluetongue
Date: 1999-09-08
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: action programme, animal disease, epidemiology, sheep, veterinary inspection

C 342 E/36

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

30.11.1999

Proposal for a Council Directive laying down specific provisions for the control and eradication of
bluetongue

(1999/C 342 E/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

COM(1999) 368 final

(Submitted by to Commission on 8 September 1999)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

(8) Whereas a procedure for close cooperation between the
Member States and the Commission must be introduced,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 92/119/EEC of 17
December 1992 introducing general Community measures for
the control of certain animal diseases and specific measures
relating to swine vesicular disease (1), as amended by the Act
of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden, and in particular
the second indent of Article 15 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1

Directive 92/35/EEC laying down control rules and measures to
combat African horse sickness shall apply mutatis mutandis to
bluetongue in species susceptible to this disease, save for the
derogations provided for below.

Article 2

(1) Whereas,

in accordance with Article 15 of Directive
92/119/EEC, specific measures to control and eradicate
bluetongue should be introduced;

By way of derogation from the definitions in the first and
second paragraphs of Article 2 of Directive 92/35/EEC, the
following definitions shall apply in the case of bluetongue:

(2) Whereas the epidemiological characteristics of bluetongue

are comparable to those of African horse sickness;

(3) Whereas the Council has adopted Directive 92/35/EEC
laying down control
to combat
African horse sickness (2), as amended by the Act of
Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden;

rules and measures

(4) Whereas, therefore, to combat bluetongue, reference should
be made to the overall measures laid down by Directive
92/35/EEC to combat African horse sickness;

(5) Whereas, however, the usual methods for rearing species
susceptible to bluetongue require the measures laid down
by Directive 92/35/EEC for African horse sickness and
equidae to be adapted somewhat;

(6) Whereas rules should be laid down on the movement of
susceptible species, their semen, ova and embryos from
areas subject to restrictions arising from an outbreak of
the disease;

(7) Whereas Article 3 of Council Decision 90/424/EEC of 26
June 1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field (3), as last
amended by Decision 94/370/EEC (4) applies in the event of
an outbreak of bluetongue;

(1) OJ L 62, 15.3.1993, p. 69.
(2) OJ L 157, 10.6.1992, p. 19.
(3) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 19.
(4) OJ L 168, 2.7.1994, p. 31.

(cid:151) holding: agricultural or other holding where animals of the
susceptible to bluetongue are permanently or
species
temporarily reared or kept, and nature reserves in which
animals of the species susceptible to the disease live,

(cid:151) susceptible species: all ruminants.

Article 3

By way of derogation from Article 4(2)(d)(i) and (iii) of
Directive 92/35/EEC,
the official veterinarian shall ensure
that, should a bluetongue outbreak occur:

as far as point
species are kept on the holding where they are located,

is concerned: all animals of susceptible

(i)

as far as point (iii) is concerned: the animals, the buildings used
to house them and their surroundings (in particular habitats in
which Culicoides populations thrive) are regularly treated with
insecticides. To prevent infestations by the vectors as far as
possible,
fixed by the
treatment
competent authority, taking account of the persistence of the
insecticide used and the climatic conditions.

shall be

rate of

the

Article 4

Where bluetongue appears, the alternative measures to vacci-
nation listed in Article 6(1)(d) of Directive 92/35/EEC may be
adopted by the Commission in accordance with the procedure
laid down in Article 9. The measures may be amended by the
same procedure.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 342 E/37

Article 5

(ii) refuse authorisation to move animals vaccinated less

Article 11 of Directive 92/35/EEC shall not apply to blue-
tongue in sheep. Instead, the following provisions shall apply:

than 60 days before.

Article 6

1. The measures laid down in Articles 6, 8, 9 and 10 of
Directive 92/35/EEC shall be amended or
repealed in
accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 9
below, upon presentation of
sero-
surveillance programme guaranteeing that viral serocon-
version has not occurred after a period in which the
disease vectors have been active. A decision to lift
the
measures may not be taken until 12 months have passed
since the final vaccinations, where vaccination has occurred
under Articles 6(1) and 9(2).

results of

the

a

2. However, notwithstanding Articles 9(1)(c) and 10(1) of

Directive 92/35/EEC:

(a) animals of susceptible species may be transported out of
the protection or surveillance zones if they meet the
following requirements:

(i) they are transported only at certain times of the
insect
year, depending on the activity of
vectors; the times shall be fixed in accordance with
the procedure laid down in Article 9;

the

(ii) they have been kept for at least 40 days at a quar-
antine station where they were protected from the
insect vectors;

as

such

the
the agar gel

(iii) they have tested negative in two separate tests to
detect the presence of the specific bluetongue virus
immuno-enzymatic
antibodies,
competition method or
immuno-
diffusion test, the first test being done at the start
of quarantine and the second no sooner than 28
days after the first. Other control methods may be
recognised in accordance with the procedure laid
down in Article 9, after the Scientific Committee
on Animal Health and Welfare has been consulted.

(iv) they must have undergone, before transport, an
external pesticide treatment to prevent attacks by
vector insects during transport;

(v) they show no clinical sign of bluetongue on the day

of transport.

(b) movements of animals of susceptible species within the
protection or surveillance zone shall be subject to auth-
orisation from the competent authority, which shall:

By way of derogation from Annexes I A and II of Directive
92/35/EEC, Annexes I and II to this Directive shall apply in the
case of bluetongue.

Article 7

The transport of semen, ova and embryos of susceptible species
out of protection and surveillance zones shall be regulated in
accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 9.

Article 8

The Annexes to this Directive shall be amended in accordance
with the procedure laid down in Article 9.

Article 9

1.
The Commission shall be assisted by the Standing
Veterinary Committee established by Decision 68/361/EEC in
accordance with the procedures laid down in paragraph 2
below.

2.
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 measures within a time limit
which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of
the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid
down in Article 205(2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions
for which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from
the
the Commission. The votes of
Member States within the Committee shall be weighted in
the manner set out in that Article. The chairman shall not vote.

the representatives of

The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged if

3.
they accord with the opinion of the Committee.

the Committee, or

If the measures envisaged do not accord with the opinion
the
to the Council a

4.
of
Commission shall
proposal on the measures to be taken.

if no opinion is delivered,

immediately submit

The Council, acting by qualified majority, shall act on the

5.
proposal within 15 days.

If, within that period,
indicates by qualified
the Council
majority that it opposes the proposal, the Commission shall
reconsider it.
to the
Council, resubmit the same proposal or present a legislative
proposal on the basis of the Treaty.

It may present an amended proposal

(i) refuse authorisation for movements of animals from
or to holdings on which it can be concluded from
the information available that the virus is active,

If the Council has not adopted the proposed implementing
measures or has not indicated its opposition to the proposed
implementing measures by the expiry of the time limit, they
shall be adopted by the Commission.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

30.11.1999

Article 10

shall adopt and publish before 31
1. Member States
including any penalties,
December 1999 the provisions,
necessary to comply with this Directive. They shall
inform
the Commission of them forthwith. They shall apply those
provisions with effect from 1 January 2000.

When Member States adopt these provisions, they shall contain
a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such
reference at
their official publication. The
procedure for such reference shall be adopted by Member
States.

time of

the

2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the
text of the provisions of national law they adopt in the field
governed by this Directive.

Article 11

This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day
following its publication in the Official Journal of the European
Communities.

Article 12

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

ANNEX I

LISTA DE LOS LABORATORIOS NACIONALES DE LA FIEBRE CATARRAL OVINA

LISTE OVER NATIONALE LABORATORIER FOR BLUETONGUE

LISTE DER F(cid:220)R DIE BLAUZUNGENKRANKHEIT ZUST˜NDIGEN NATIONALEN LABORATORIEN

˚`(cid:212)`¸ˇˆˇ(cid:211) ¯¨˝(cid:201)˚(cid:217)˝ ¯(cid:209)ˆ`(cid:211)(cid:212)˙(cid:209)(cid:201)(cid:217)˝ ˆ(cid:201)` (cid:212)ˇ˝ ˚`(cid:212)`(cid:209)(cid:209)ˇ(cid:218)˚ˇ —(cid:213)(cid:209)¯(cid:212)ˇ (cid:212)ˇ(cid:213) —(cid:209)ˇ´`(cid:212)ˇ(cid:213)

LIST OF THE NATIONAL BLUETONGUE LABORATORIES

LISTE DES LABORATOIRES NATIONAUX POUR LA FI¨VRE CATARRHALE DU MOUTON

ELENCO DEI LABORATORI NAZIONALI PER LA FEBBRE CATARRALE DEGLI OVINI

LIJST VAN DE NATIONALE LABORATORIA VOOR BLUETONGUE

LISTA DOS LABORAT(cid:211)RIOS NACIONAIS EM RELA˙ˆO (cid:192) FEBRE CATARRAL OVINA

LUETTELO KANSALLISISTA LAMPAAN BLUETONGUE-TAUTIA VARTEN NIMETYIST˜ LABORATORIOISTA

F(cid:214)RTECKNING (cid:214)VER NATIONELLA LABORATORIER F(cid:214)R BLUETONGUE

Belgique/Belgiº

Danmark

Deutschland

Centre d’(cid:201)tudes et de Recherches
VØtØrinaires et Agrochimiques (CERVA)
99, Groeselenberg
B-1180 Bruxelles
Tel. (32-2) 375 44 55
Fax (32-2) 375 09 79
E-mail: piker@var.fgov.be

Danish Institute for Virus Research
Lindholm
DK-4771 Kalvehave
Tlf. (45) 55 86 02 00
Fax 45 55 86 03 00
E-mail: sviv@vetvirus.dk

Bundesforschungsanstalt f(cid:252)r Viruskrankheiten der Tiere (cid:151) Anstaltsteil T(cid:252)bingen
Postfach 11 49
D-72001 T(cid:252)bingen
PD Dr. B(cid:252)ttner
Tel. (07071) 967 255
Fax (07071) 967 303

30.11.1999

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 342 E/39

¯ºº(cid:220)(cid:228)Æ

Espaæa

France

Ireland

Italia

Luxembourg

Nederland

(cid:214)sterreich

Portugal

Ministry of Agriculture
Centre of Athens Veterinary Institutions
Virus Department
25, Neapoleos Str.
Ag. Paraskevi
GR-15310 Athens
(cid:212)(cid:231)º. (30-1) 601 14 99/601 09 03
(cid:214)Æ(cid:238) (30-1) 639 94 77

Centro de Investigaci(cid:243)n en Sanidad Animal INIA-CISA
D. Jose Manuel SÆnchez Vizcaino
Carretera de Algete-El Casar, km 8, Valdeolmos
E-20180 Madrid
Tel. 916 20 22 16
Fax 916 20 22 47
E-Mail: vizcaino@inia.es

CIRAD-EMVT
Campus international de Baillarguet
BP 5035
F-34032 Montpellier Cedex 1
TØl. 04 67 59 37 24
Fax 04 67 59 37 98
E-mail: bastron@cirad.fr

Central Veterinary Research Laboratory
Abbotstown
Castleknock
Dublin 15
Irland
Tel. (353-1) 607 26 79
Fax (353-1) 822 03 63
E-mail: reillypj@indigo.ie

CESME presso IZS
Via Campo Boario
I-64100 Teramo
Tel. 0861 332216
Fax 0861 332251
E-mail: Cesme@IZS.it

Centre d’(cid:201)tudes et de Recherches
VØtØrinaires et Agrochimiques (CERVA)
99, Groeselenberg
B-1180 Bruxelles
TØl. (32-2) 375 44 55
Fax: (32-2) 375 09 79
E-mail: piker@var.fgov.be

ID-DLO
Edelhertweg 15
8219 PH Lelystad
Nederland
Tel. (0320) 23 82 38
Fax (0320) 23 80 50
E-mail: postkamer@id.dlo.nl

Bundesanstalt f(cid:252)r Virusseuchenbek(cid:228)mpfung bei Haustieren
Robert Kochgasse 17
A-2340 M(cid:246)dling
Tel. (0043) 2236 46640-0
Fax (0043) 2236 46640-941
E-mail: BATSB VetMoedling@compuserve.com

Laborat(cid:243)rio Nacional de Investiga(cid:231)ao Veterinaria
Estrada de Benfica, 701
P-1549-011 Lisboa
Tel. (351-1) 711 52 00
Fax (351-1) 711 5 38 36
E-mail: dir.Inlv@mail.telepac.pt

C 342 E/40

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

30.11.1999

Suomi

Sverige

United Kingdom

Danish Institute for Virus Research
Lindholm
DK-4771 Kalvehave
Tel. (45) 55 86 02 00
Fax (45) 55 86 03 00
E-mail: sviv@vetvirus.dk

National Veterinary Institute
Box 7073
S-750 07 Uppsala

Institute for Animal Health
Pirbright Laboratory
Ash Road
Pirbright
Woking
Surrey GU24 ONF
United Kingdom
Tel. (01483) 23 24 41
Fax (01483) 23 24 48
E-mail: philip-mellor@bbsrc.ac.uk

ANNEX II

LABORATORIO COMUNITARIO DE REFERENCIA DE LA FIEBRE CATARRAL OVINA

EF-REFERENCELABORATORIUM FOR BLUETONGUE

GEMEINSCHAFTLICHES REFERENZLABORATORIUM F(cid:220)R DIE BLAUZUNGENKRANKHEIT

˚ˇ(cid:201)˝ˇ(cid:212)(cid:201)˚ˇ ¯(cid:209)ˆ`(cid:211)(cid:212)˙(cid:209)(cid:201)ˇ `˝`(cid:214)ˇ(cid:209)`(cid:211) ˆ(cid:201)` (cid:212)ˇ˝ ˚`(cid:212)`(cid:209)(cid:209)ˇ(cid:218)˚ˇ —(cid:213)(cid:209)¯(cid:212)ˇ (cid:212)ˇ(cid:213) —(cid:209)ˇ´`(cid:212)ˇ(cid:213)

COMMUNITY REFERENCE LABORATORY FOR BLUETONGUE

LABORATOIRE COMMUNAUTAIRE DE R(cid:201)F(cid:201)RENCE POUR LA FI¨VRE CATARRHALE DU MOUTON

LABORATORIO COMUNITARIO DI RIFERIMENTO PER LA FEBBRE CATARRALE DEGLI OVINI

COMMUNAUTAIRE REFERENTIELABORATORIA VOOR BLUETONGUE

LABORAT(cid:211)RIO COMUNIT`RIO DE REFER˚NCIA EM RELA˙ˆO (cid:192) FEBRE CATARRAL OVINA

YHTEIS(cid:214)N VERTAILULABORATORIO LAMPAAN BLUETONGUE-TAUTIA VARTEN

GEMENSKAPENS REFERENSLABORATORIUM F(cid:214)R BLUETONGUE

AFRC Institute for Animal Health
Pirbright laboratory
Ash road
Pirbright
Woking
Surrey GU24ONF
United Kingdom
Tel. (01483) 23 24 41
Fax (01483) 23 24 48
E-mail: philip-mellor@bbsrc.ac.uk