2000/133/EC: Commission Decision of 22 December 1999 on certain protection measures with regard to imports from Israel of live equidae, live birds and hatching eggs thereof (notified under document number C(1999) 4978) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 1999-12-22
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Israel, bird, equidae, health control, import, live animal

16. 2. 2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 43/35

II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COMMISSION

COMMISSION DECISION

of 22 December 1999

on certain protection measures with regard to imports from Israel of live equidae, live birds and
hatching eggs thereof

(notified under document number C(1999) 4978)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2000/133/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July
1991 laying down the principles governing the organisation of
veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from
third countries and amending Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/
425/EEC and 90/675/EEC (1), as last amended by Directive
96/43/EC (2), and in particular Article 18 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

in accordance with Council Directive 90/426/EEC (3),
Israel
is included in the list of third countries from
which the Member States authorise imports of equidae,
established by Council Decision 79/542/EEC (4), as last
amended by Commission Decision 1999/759/EC (5);

in accordance with Council Directive 90/539/EEC (6),
is included in the list of third countries from
Israel
which the Member States authorise imports of
live
poultry and hatching eggs, established by Commission
Decision 95/233/EC (7), as last amended by Decision
96/619/EC (8);

birds other than those referred to in Directive 90/
539/EEC may be imported in accordance with the provi-
sions of Council Directive 92/65/EEC,
laying down
animal health requirements governing trade and imports

(1) OJ L 268, 24.9.1991, p. 56.
(2) OJ L 162, 1.7.1996, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 42.
(4) OJ L 146, 14.6.1979, p. 15.
(5) OJ L 300, 23.11.1999, p. 30.
(6) OJ L 303, 31.10.1990, p. 6.
(7) OJ L 156, 7.7.1999, p. 76.
(8) OJ L 276, 29.10.1996, p. 18.

semen, ova and
into the Community of animals,
embryos not subject to the animal health requirements
laid down in specific Community rules referred to in
Annex A(I) to Directive 90/425/EEC (9);

cases of West Nile Fever have been reported in poultry,
in particular geese,

in Israel;

the presence of this disease is liable to constitute a
for humans and Community equidae and
danger
poultry;

although the virus usually circulates in a bird-mosquito-
cycle, it is occasionally transmitted by vector insects to
humans or equidae, in which cases of fatality have been
described;

it is necessary to adopt rapidly protection measures at
Community level with regard to importation from Israel
of live equidae, live poultry, other birds and hatching
eggs thereof;

therefore, the temporary admission of registered horses,
the re-entry after temporary export of registered horses,
the permanent imports and transit of equidae from Israel
should be prohibited;

moreover, imports of live poultry, including ratites, live
game birds and other live birds and hatching eggs
thereof should be prohibited;

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

the measures provided for in this Decision are in accord-
ance with the opinion of
the Standing Veterinary
Committee,

(9) OJ L 268, 14.9.1992, p. 54.

L 43/36

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16. 2. 2000

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 3

Article 1

The temporary admission of registered horses, the re-admission
after temporary export of registered horses, and the imports
and transit of equidae originating in, coming from or transiting
through Israel are prohibited.

Member States shall amend the measures they apply with
regard to Israel to bring them into line with this Decision.

They shall

inform the Commission thereof.

Article 4

This Decision shall be reviewed in January 2000 and shall
apply until 31 March 2000.

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Article 5

Imports into the Community of live poultry, including
1.
ratites, and other live birds originating in, coming from or
transiting through Israel are prohibited.

Imports into the Community of hatching eggs of poultry,
2.
including ratites and other birds originating in Israel are
prohibited.

Done at Brussels, 22 December 1999.

For the Commission

David BYRNE

Member of the Commission