2003/547/EC: Commission Decision of 22 July 2003 on temporary measures to prevent the transmission of foot-and-mouth disease from certain North African countries to the territory of the European Union (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2003) 2611)
Date: 2003-07-22
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: North Africa, animal disease, equidae, health certificate, transport of animals, veterinary inspection

L 186/40

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

25.7.2003

COMMISSION DECISION

of 22 July 2003

on temporary measures to prevent the transmission of foot-and-mouth disease from certain North
African countries to the territory of the European Union

(notified under document number C(2003) 2611)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2003/547/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 97/78/EC of 18 December
1997 laying down the principles governing the organisation of
veterinary checks on products entering the Community from
third countries (1), and in particular Article 22(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Foot-and-mouth-disease is one of the most contagious
viral diseases of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs and the
causative virus can persist in a contaminated environ-
ment outside
several weeks
depending, amongst others, of climatic factors.

the host

animal

for

On 18 June 2003, Libya notified to the Office Interna-
tional des Epizooties (OIE) the confirmation of foot-and-
mouth disease in cattle caused by serotype SAT 2. This
is the first reported outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease
in this country since 1994 and the first ever in relation
to the serotype of the virus identified in the OIE Refer-
ence Laboratory for Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Pirb-
right, United Kingdom.

The competent authorities in Libya have taken measures
to contain the disease by the stamping out of infected
animals, isolation of herds, movement restrictions and
surveillance.

The Community does not allow imports of live animals
of susceptible species or their products from Libya.
Importation of animals to the Community primarily
relates to re-entry of registered horses in accordance
with Council Directive 90/426/EEC of 26 June 1990 on
animal health conditions governing the movement and
import
last
amended by Regulation (EC) No 806/2003 (3).

from third countries of equidae (2), as

transport vehicles used for

transport of
However,
animals on arrival from Libya to the European Union
may cause a potential risk of harbouring virus.
It is
therefore necessary to rapidly adopt certain protection
measures at Community level which take into account
the survival of the foot-and-mouth disease virus in the
environment and potential routes of virus transmission.

(1) OJ L 24, 31.1.1998, p. 9.
(2) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 42.
(3) OJ L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 1.

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

Consequently, the presence of foot-and-mouth disease in
Libya is liable to constitute a serious risk to the suscep-
tible livestock population of the Community.

Proper cleansing and disinfection of animal transport
vehicles is the most appropriate way to reduce the risk
of rapid virus transmission over large distances.

Taking into account the significant delay between the
first suspect on 1 May 2003 and the confirmation of the
disease, a spread of the disease to neighbouring countries
cannot be fully excluded and may require an extension
of the geographical scope of this Decision.

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accor-
dance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on
the Food Chain and Animal Health,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

For the purpose of this Decision ‘livestock vehicle’ means any
motor vehicle being used or which has been used for transport
of animals.

Article 2

1. Member States shall ensure that the operator of an empty
livestock vehicle on arrival from a third country, or part of a
third country regionalised in accordance with Community legis-
lation, mentioned in Annex I at the point of entry to the terri-
tory of the European Union provides documentation which
indicates that the vehicle has been cleansed and disinfected.
The documentation shall provide information on cleansing and
disinfection equivalent to that shown in Annex II to this Deci-
sion.

implemented

In the event the measures referred to in paragraph 1 have
2.
State
been
concerned may reject
the
vehicle to proper cleansing and disinfection at a designated
place as close as possible to the point of entry.

the livestock vehicle or subject

inappropriately,

the Member

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Article 3

Article 5

Livestock vehicles carrying equidae from a third country, or
part of a third country regionalised in accordance with
Community legislation, mentioned in Annex I, being imported
in accordance with provisions of Directive 90/426/EEC, shall
be subject to cleansing and disinfection on arrival at the border
inspection post. The mentioned cleansing and disinfection shall
be carried out at a place as close as possible to the border
inspection post, designated by the official veterinarian.

Article 4

The measures of this Decision shall apply until 31 October
2003.

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 22 July 2003.

For the Commission

David BYRNE

Member of the Commission

Third country or part of the territory of a third country affected by this Decision:

Libya

ANNEX I

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Official Journal of the European Union

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ANNEX II