2001/495/EC: Commission Decision of 2 July 2001 concerning certain protective measures with regard to live birds coming from or originating in China, Hong Kong and Macau (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2001) 1701)
Date: 2001-07-02
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: China, Hong Kong, Macao, bird, import, protection of animals

L 180/36

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

3.7.2001

COMMISSION DECISION

of 2 July 2001

concerning certain protective measures with regard to live birds coming from or originating in
China, Hong Kong and Macau

(notified under document number C(2001) 1701)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2001/495/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 countires 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(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease in poultry
and birds, causing mortality and disturbances which can
quickly take epizootic proportions liable to present a
serious threat to animal health and to reduce sharply the
profitability of poultry farming.

Avian influenza has been detected in poultry of live bird
markets in Hong Kong and Macau and appears to have
been isolated in poultry deriving from mainland China.

Imports of live poultry from China, Hong Kong and
Macau to the Community are not authorised, whereas
other birds can be imported under the conditions laid
down in Article 7(A) of Council Directive 92/65/EEC of
13 July 1992 laying down animal health requirements
governing trade in and imports into the Community of
animals, semen, ova and embryos not subject to animal
health requirements laid down in specific Community
rules
to Directive 90/
425/EEC (3), as last amended by Commission Decision
95/176/EC (4).

referred to in Annex A(I)

Commission Decision 2000/666/EC (5), as last amended
by Decision 2001/383/EC (6),
lays down the animal
health requirements and the veterinary certifiction for
the import of birds, other than poultry and the condi-
tions for quarantine.

(5)

Decision 2000/666/EC shall apply from 1 November
2001.

(6)

(7)

The situation is liable to endanger the health status of
the Community's poultry flocks, therefore the provisions
foreseen in Decision 2000/666/EC should apply for
such imports from China, Hong Kong and Macau imme-
diately.

The measures provided for in this Decision are in
accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary
Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The introduction into the territory of the Community of live
birds other than those referred to in Directive 90/539/EEC,
coming from or originating in China, Hong Kong and Macau is
only authorised under the conditions laid down in the Articles
1 to 9 of Commission Decision 2000/666/EC.

Article 2

This Decision is applicable until 1 November 2001.

Article 3

Member States shall alter the measures they apply to trade in
order to bring them into line with this Decision. They shall
immediately inform the Commission thereof.

Article 4

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 2 July 2001.

For the Commission

David BYRNE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 268, 24.9.1991, p. 56.
(2) OJ L 162, 1.7.1996, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 268, 14.9.1992, p. 54.
(4) OJ L 117, 24.5.1995, p. 23.
(5) OJ L 278, 31.10.2000, p. 26.
(6) OJ L 137, 19.5.2001, p. 28.