2004/453/EC:Commission Decision of 29 April 2004 implementing Council Directive 91/67/EEC as regards measures against certain diseases in aquaculture animals (notified under document number C(2004) 1679) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2004-04-29
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: animal disease, aquaculture, disease prevention, health legislation, intra-EU trade, veterinary legislation

30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/5 

COMMISSION DECISION 

of 29 April 2004 

implementing Council Directive 91/67/EEC as regards measures against certain diseases 
in aquaculture animals 

(notified under document number C(2004) 1679) 

(Text with EEA relevance) 

(2004/453/EC) 

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, 

Having  regard  to  Council  Directive  91/67/EEC  of  28  January  1991  concerning  the  animal 
health conditions governing the placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products3, 
and  in  particular  Article  12(2),  the  second  subparagraph  of  Article  13(1)  and  Article  13(2) 
thereof, 

Having regard to Council Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and 
zootechnical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products 
with a view to the completion of the internal market4, and in particular Article 10 thereof, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

A Member State that considers its territory or part of territory free from one or more of 
the diseases listed in Annex A, column I, list III to Directive 91/67/EEC, may under 
Article  13  of  that  Directive  submit  the  evidence  supporting  the  claim  of  freedom  of 
diseases  to  the  Commission  for  the  purpose  of  being  granted  disease-free  status. 
Denmark,  Finland,  Ireland,  Sweden  and  the  United  Kingdom  have  submitted  such 
claims to the Commission. 

A Member State that draws up a programme to control with a view to eradicating one 
or more of the diseases listed in Annex A, column I, list III to Directive 91/67/EEC, 
may under Article 12 of that Directive submit the programme to the Commission for 
approval.  Finland,  Ireland,  Sweden  and  the  United  Kingdom  have  submitted  such 
programmes to the Commission. 

(3) 

Council Regulation (EEC) No 706/73 of 12 March 1973 concerning the Community 
arrangements  applicable  to  the  Channel  Islands  and  the  Isle  of  Man  for  trade  in 

3 
4 

OJ L 46, 19.2.1991, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Regulation 806/2003 (OJ L 122, 16.5.2003 p. 1). 
OJ  L  224,  18.8.1990,  p.  24.  Directive  as  last  amended  by  Directive  2002/33/EC  of  the  European 
Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 315, 19.11.2002, p. 14). 

 
 
                                                 
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agricultural products5, lays down that veterinary legislation is to apply to those islands 
under  the  same  conditions  as  in  the  United  Kingdom  for  the  products  imported  into 
those islands or exported from them to the Community. 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

It  is  necessary  to  establish  the  requirements  to  be  fulfilled  for  Member  States  to  be 
declared disease-free and the criteria the Member States are to apply under the control 
and  eradication  programmes.  It  is  also  necessary  to  define  the  additional  guarantees 
which  are  required  for  the  introduction  of  certain  fish  species  into  the  disease-free 
zones and the zones concerned by the control and eradication programmes. For those 
purposes  the  recommendations  of  the  World  Organisation  of  Animal  Health  (OIE) 
should be taken into account. 

Denmark has submitted evidence of freedom from spring viraemia of carp (SVC), and 
should therefore be considered free from that disease. 

Finland  has  submitted  evidence  of  freedom  from  SVC  for  its  entire  territory,  and  of 
freedom from Gyrodactylus salaris and infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) for parts 
of  its  territory.  The  territories  concerned  should  therefore  be  considered  free  from 
those diseases. Finland has also submitted a programme for the control and eradication 
of  bacterial  kidney  disease  (BKD)  which  will  apply  to  the  continental  parts  of  its 
territory. That programme should be approved with a view to eradicating the disease 
and achieving disease free status. 

Ireland has submitted evidence of freedom from SVC, BKD and Gyrodactylus salaris 
for its entire territory, and should therefore be considered free from those diseases. 

Sweden has submitted evidence of freedom from SVC and IPN for its entire territory, 
and  should  therefore  be  considered  free  from  those  diseases.  Sweden  has  also 
submitted a programme for the control and eradication of BKD which will apply to the 
continental parts of its territory. That programme should be approved with a view to 
eradicating the disease and achieving disease free status. 

The  United  Kingdom  has  submitted  evidence  of  freedom  from  Gyrodactylus  salaris 
for  its  entire  territory  and  of  freedom  from  IPN,  BKD  and  SVC  for  parts  of  its 
territory.  The  territories  concerned  should  therefore  be  considered  free  from  those 
diseases.  The  United  Kingdom  has  also  submitted  programmes  for  the  control  and 
eradication  of  SVC  and  BKD  applicable  to  other  parts  of  its  territory.  Those 
programmes should be approved with a view to eradicating the diseases and achieving 
disease free status. 

(10)  The additional guarantees provided for by this Decision should be reconsidered after 
three  years,  taking  into  account  the  experience  gained  in  relation  to  control  and 
eradication of the diseases and the development of alternative control measures such 
as vaccines. 

(11)  Additional  guarantees  as  regards  SVC  have  been  defined  for  certain  fish  species  for 
consignment  to  Great  Britain,  Northern  Ireland,  the  Isle  of  Man  and  Guernsey  by 

5 

OJ  L  68,  15.3.1973,  p.  1.  Regulation  as  amended  by  Regulation  (EEC)  No  1274/86  (OJ  L  107, 
24.4.1986, p. 1). 

                                                 
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Commission  Decision  93/44/EC6.  That  Decision  should  be  repealed  and  replaced  by 
this Decision. 

(12)  Commission Decision 2003/513/EC7 is a safeguard decision protecting certain regions 
of the Community against introduction of Gyrodactylus salaris. Those measures have 
been  in  force  since  1996,  and  are  by  their  very  nature  additional  guarantees  and  not 
safeguard  measures.  Decision  2003/513/EC  should  therefore  also  be  repealed  and 
replaced by this Decision. 

(13)  The guarantees laid down in Decisions 93/44/EC and 2003/513/EC should be updated 
to take into account the present scientific knowledge and current recommendations of 
the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE). 

(14)  The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the 

Scientific Committee for the Food Chain and Animal Health. 

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 

Article 1 
Requirements for territory being considered disease free disease 

The requirements to be fulfilled in order for territory to be considered free of one or more of 
the diseases listed in Column I, List III of Annex A to Directive 91/67/EEC, are laid down in 
Annex I, Chapter I to this Decision. 

Article 2 
Territories considered disease-free 

The territories listed in Annex I, Chapter II to this Decision are considered to be free from the 
diseases listed in Column I, List III of Annex A to Directive 91/67/EEC. 

Article 3 
Criteria for control and eradication programmes 

The criteria a Member States shall apply under a control and eradication programme for one 
or more of the diseases referred to in Column I, List III of Annex A to Directive 91/67/EEC, 
are laid down in Annex II, Chapter I to this Decision. 

Article 4 
Approval of control and eradication programmes 

The  control  and  eradication  programmes  for  the  territories  listed  in  Annex  II,  Chapter  II  to 
this Decision are approved. 

6 
7 

OJ L 16, 25.1.1993, p. 53. Decision amended by Decision 94/865/EC (OJ L 352, 31.12.1994, p. 75). 
OJ L 177, 16.7.2003, p. 22. 

                                                 
30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/8 

Article 5 
Additional guarantees 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Live  aquaculture  fish,  eggs  and  gametes  which  are  introduced  into  the  territories 
listed  in  Annex  I,  Chapter  II  or  Annex  II,  Chapter  II,  shall  comply  with  the 
guarantees, including those for packaging and labelling and the appropriate specific 
additional  requirements,  as  laid  down  in  the  health  certificate,  drawn  up  in 
conformity  with  model  health  certificate  in  Annex  III,  taking  into  account  the 
explanatory notes in Annex IV. 

The requirements laid down in paragraph 1 shall not apply when eggs are introduced 
into  the  territories  listed  in  Annex  I,  Chapter  II  or  Annex  II,  Chapter  II,  for  the 
purpose of human consumption. 

The additional guarantees should be maintained when the requirements laid down in 
Annex V are fulfilled. 

Article 6 
Transport 

Live  aquaculture  fish,  eggs  and  gametes  introduced  into  the  territories  listed  in  Annex  I 
Chapter  II,  or  Annex  II  Chapter  II,  shall  be  transported  under  conditions  not  altering  their 
health status and not jeopardising the health status at the place of destination. 

Decisions 93/44/EC and 2003/513/EC are repealed. 

Article 7 
Repeal 

Article 8 
Review 

The  Commission  shall  review  the  additional  guarantees  laid  down  by  this  Decision  by  30 
April 2007 at the latest. The review shall take account of the experience gained in relation to 
control  and  eradication  of  the  diseases  and  the  development  of  alternative  control  measures 
such as vaccines. 

30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/9 

Article 9 
Addressees 

This Decision is addressed to the Member States 

Done at Brussels, 29 April 2004. 

For the Commission 
David BYRNE 
Member of the Commission 

 
 
 
30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/10 

ANNEX I 

Disease-free status 

Chapter I 
Requirements for disease-free status 

A. 

Disease-free country 

A  Member  State  shall  be  considered  free  of  a  disease  if  none  of  the  susceptible 
species are present or if it meets the conditions in point 1) or 2) below. 

If  a  Member  State  shares  a  water  catchment  area  with  one  or  more  other  Member 
States, it can only be declared a disease free country if all the shared water catchment 
areas are declared disease-free zones in both Member States. 

1.  A  Member  State  where  there  has  not  been  any  observed  occurrence  of  the 
disease for at least the past 25 years despite conditions that are conducive to its 
clinical expression may be considered disease-free if 

1.1.  basic disease security conditions have been in place continuously for at 
least the previous 10 years. The basic disease security conditions should 
as a minimum consist of: 

(a) 

(b) 

the disease is compulsorily notifiable to the Competent Authority, 
including notification of suspicion; 

an  early  detection  system  ensuring  the  rapid  recognition  of  signs 
suspicious  of  a  disease,  or  an  emerging  disease  situation,  or 
unexplained  mortality,  in  aquatic  animals  in  an  aquaculture 
establishment  or  in  the  wild,  and  the  rapid  communication  of  the 
event  to  the  Competent  Authority,  with  the  aim  to  activate 
diagnostic investigation with minimal delay, is in place within the 
country  enabling  the  Competent  Authority  to  undertake  effective 
disease investigation and reporting, including access to laboratories 
capable  of  diagnosing  and  differentiating  relevant  diseases,  and 
training  of  veterinarians  or  fish  health  specialists  in  detecting  and 
reporting  unusual  disease  occurrence.  Such  an  early  detection 
system must at least include the following: 

(i) 

broad  awareness,  e.g.  among  the  personnel  employed  at 
aquaculture  establishments  or  involved  in  processing,  of  the 
characteristic signs of the listed diseases; 

(ii)  veterinarians  or  aquatic  animal  health  specialists  trained  in 
recognising and reporting suspicious disease occurrence; 

(iii)  ability  of  the  Competent  Authority  to  undertake  rapid  and 

effective disease investigation; 

 
 
30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/11 

(iv)  access  by  the  Competent  Authority  to  laboratories  with  the 
listed  and 

facilities  for  diagnosing  and  differentiating 
emerging diseases; 

1.2. 

infection is not known to be established in wild populations; 

1.3.  conditions applied to trade and imports to prevent the introduction of the 

disease into the Member State are in place. 

2.  A Member State where the last known clinical occurrence was within the past 
25 years  or  where  the  infection  status  prior  to  targeted  surveillance  was 
unknown,  for  example  because  of  the  absence  of  conditions  conducive  to 
clinical expression, may be considered free from the disease if: 

2.1. 

it meets basic disease security conditions as described in point 1.1; and 

2.2. 

targeted  surveillance  has  been  in  place  for  at  least  the  past  2  years  in 
aquaculture establishments holding any of the susceptible species without 
detection of the disease agent. If there are areas of the country in which 
surveillance in aquaculture establishments only, does not give sufficient 
epidemiological  data  (where  the  number  of  aquaculture  establishments 
are  limited),  but  in  which  there  are  wild  populations  of  any  of  the 
susceptible  species,  those  wild  populations  must  be  included  in  the 
targeted surveillance. The sampling methods and sample sizes should be 
at  least  equivalent  to  those  laid  down  in  Commission  Decision 
2001/183/EC or in the relevant chapters of the OIE International Aquatic 
Animal  Health  Code  and  OIE  Manual  of  Diagnostic  Tests  for  Aquatic 
Animals.  The  diagnostic  methods  should  be  at  least  equivalent  to  those 
laid down in the relevant chapters of the OIE Manual for diagnostic tests 
in aquatic animals. 

B. 

Disease-free zone 

A disease-free zone may be established within the territory of one Member State of 
infected  or  unknown  status  for  a  disease,  if  none  of  the  susceptible  species  are 
present  in  the  zone,  or  if  the  zone  meets  the  conditions  referred  to  in  point  1  or  2 
below. 

Such disease-free zones must comprise: one or more entire water-catchment area(s) 
from the sources  of the  waterways to the sea, or  part  of a  catchment  area  from the 
source(s) to a natural or artificial barrier that prevents the upward migration of fish 
from  lower  stretches  of  the  waterway.  Such  zones  must  be  clearly  delineated  on  a 
map of the territory of the country concerned by the Competent Authority. 

If a water-catchment area extends over more than one Member State, it can only be 
declared a disease free zone if the conditions outlined below apply to all areas of the 
zone. Both Member States concerned should apply for approval of the zone. 

1.  A zone where there has not been any observed occurrence of the disease for at 
least  the  past  25  years  despite  conditions  that  are  conducive  to  its  clinical 
expression may be considered free if: 

30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/12 

1.1.  basic disease security conditions have been in place continuously for at 
least the previous 10 years. The basic disease security conditions should 
as a minimum consist of: 

(a) 

(b) 

the disease is compulsorily notifiable to the Competent Authority, 
including notification of suspicion; 

an  early  detection  system  ensuring  the  rapid  recognition  of  signs 
suspicious  of  a  disease,  or  an  emerging  disease  situation,  or 
unexplained  mortality,  in  aquatic  animals  in  an  aquaculture 
establishment  or  in  the  wild,  and  the  rapid  communication  of  the 
event  to  the  Competent  Authority,  with  the  aim  to  activate 
diagnostic investigation with minimal delay, is in place within the 
country  enabling  the  Competent  Authority  to  undertake  effective 
disease investigation and reporting, including access to laboratories 
capable  of  diagnosing  and  differentiating  relevant  diseases,  and 
training  of  veterinarians  or  fish  health  specialists  in  detecting  and 
reporting  unusual  disease  occurrence.  Such  an  early  detection 
system must at least include the following: 

(i) 

broad  awareness,  e.g.  among  the  personnel  employed  at 
aquaculture  establishments  or  involved  in  processing,  of  the 
characteristic signs of the listed diseases; 

(ii)  veterinarians  or  aquatic  animal  health  specialists  trained  in 
recognising and reporting suspicious disease occurrence; 

(iii)  ability  of  the  Competent  Authority  to  undertake  rapid  and 

effective disease investigation; 

(iv)  access  by  the  Competent  Authority  to  laboratories  with  the 
listed  and 

facilities  for  diagnosing  and  differentiating 
emerging diseases. 

1.2. 

infection is not known to be established in wild populations; 

1.3.  conditions applied to trade and imports to prevent the introduction of the 

disease into the zone are in place. 

2.  A zone where the last known clinical occurrence was within the past 25 years 
or where the infection status prior to targeted  surveillance was unknown, for 
example because of the absence of conditions conducive to clinical expression, 
may be considered free from the disease if: 

2.1. 

it meets basic disease security conditions as described in point 1.1; 

30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/13 

2.2. 

If  surveillance 

the  disease  agent. 

targeted  surveillance  has  been  in  place  for  at  least  the  past  2  years  in 
aquaculture establishments holding any of the susceptible species without 
detection  of 
in  aquaculture 
establishments only, does not give sufficient epidemiological data (where 
the number of aquaculture establishments are limited), but in which there 
are  wild  populations  of  any  of  the  susceptible  species,  those  wild 
populations must be included in the targeted surveillance. The sampling 
methods  and  sample  sizes  should  be  at  least  equivalent  to  those  laid 
down  in  Commission  Decision  2001/183/EC  or  in  the  relevant  chapters 
of the OIE International Aquatic Animal Health Code and OIE Manual of 
Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals. The diagnostic methods should be 
at least equivalent to those laid down in the relevant chapters of the OIE 
Manual for diagnostic tests in aquatic animals. 

30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/14 

Chapter II 
Territories with approved freedom of certain diseases referred to in Column 1, List III 
of Annex A to Council Directive 91/67/EEC 

Disease 

Member State 

Territory or parts of territory 

Spring viraemia of carp (SVC) 

Denmark 

Whole territory 

Finland 

Ireland 

Sweden 

Whole  territory;  the  water  catchment  area  of  River 
Vuoksi should be considered as buffer zone. 

Whole territory 

Whole territory 

United Kingdom 

The territories of Northern Ireland, The Isle of Man 
Jersey, and Guernsey 

Bacterial 
(BKD) 

kidney 

disease 

Ireland 

Whole territory 

United Kingdom 

The territories of Northern Ireland, The Isle of Man, 
and Jersey 

Infectious pancreatic necrosis 
virus (IPN) 

Finland 

The  continental  parts  of  the  territory;  the  water 
catchment  areas  of  River  Vuoksi  and  River 
Kemijoki should be considered as buffer zones. 

Sweden 

Whole territory 

United Kingdom  

The territory of The Isle of Man 

Infection with Gyrodactylus 
salaris 

Finland 

The water catchment areas of Tenojoki and 
Näätämönjoki; the water catchment areas of 
Paatsjoki, Luttojoki, and Uutuanjoki are considered 
as buffer zones. 

Ireland 

The whole territory 

United Kingdom 

The territories of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, 
The Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey. 

30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/15 

ANNEX II 

Control and eradication programmes 

Chapter I 
Minimum criteria to be applied in a programme aimed at control and eradication of 
certain diseases referred to in Column 1, List III of Annex A to Council Directive 
91/67/EEC 

A. 

The  minimum  criteria  to  be  applied  by  the  Member  State  under  an  approved 
control and eradication programme are 

1. 

The  disease  must  be  compulsorily  notifiable  to  the  Competent  Authority, 
including notification of suspicion. 

2.  An early detection system ensuring the rapid recognition of signs suspicious of 
the disease in question, in aquatic animals in an aquaculture establishment or in 
the  wild,  and  the  rapid  communication  of  the  event  to  the  Competent 
Authority, with the aim to activate diagnostic investigation with minimal delay 
must  be  in  place  enabling  the  Competent  Authority  to  undertake  effective 
disease investigation and reporting, including access to laboratories capable of 
diagnosing  and  differentiating  relevant  diseases,  and  training  of  veterinarians 
or fish health specialists in detecting and reporting unusual disease occurrence. 
Such an early detection system must at least include the following: 

2.1.  broad  awareness,  e.g.  among  the  personnel  employed  at  aquaculture 
establishments or involved in processing, of the characteristic signs of the 
listed diseases; 

2.2.  veterinarians  or  aquatic  animal  health  specialists  trained  in  recognising 

and reporting suspicious disease occurrence; 

2.3.  ability  of  the  Competent  Authority  to  undertake  rapid  and  effective 

disease investigation; 

2.4.  access by the Competent Authority to laboratories with the facilities for 

diagnosing and differentiating the disease in question. 

3. 

Conditions to trade and imports to prevent the introduction of the disease into 
the Member State must be in place in place. 

30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/16 

4. 

5. 

6. 

Targeted surveillance must been in place in aquaculture establishments holding 
any  of  the  susceptible  species.  If  there  are  areas  of  the  country  in  which 
surveillance  in  aquaculture  establishments  only,  does  not  give  sufficient 
epidemiological  data  (where  the  number  of  aquaculture  establishments  are 
limited),  but  in  which  there  are  wild  populations  of  any  of  the  susceptible 
species,  those  wild  populations  must  be  included  in  the  targeted  surveillance. 
The sampling methods and sample sizes should be at least equivalent to those 
laid down in Commission Decision 2001/183/EC or in the relevant chapters of 
the  OIE  International  Aquatic  Animal  Health  Code  and  OIE  Manual  of 
Diagnostic  Tests  for  Aquatic  Animals.  The  diagnostic  methods  should  be  at 
least equivalent to those laid down in the relevant chapters of the OIE Manual 
for diagnostic tests in aquatic animals. 

The control and eradication programme should continue until the requirements 
in Annex I have been fulfilled, and the Member State or parts thereof could be 
considered free of the disease. 

Before 1 May each year submit a report to the Commission giving information 
on the number of suspicions, the number of confirmations, the number of farms 
and  sites  under  restrictions,  the  number  of  restrictions  lifted  and  the  result  of 
any active surveillance performed the previous calendar year according to the 
following table 

Member State and disease 

Number of suspicions 

Number of confirmations 

Number  of  farms  and  sites  under 
restrictions 

The number of restrictions lifted 

How  many  farms  and  fish/pools  of 
fish have been sampled 

How  many  wild  fish/pools  of  fish 
have been sampled from which water 
catchment areas 

Result of sampling 

B. 

In  the  case  of  suspicion  of  a  disease  the  official  service  in  the  Member  States 
shall ensure that: 

1.  Appropriate  samples  are  taken  for  examinations  with  a  view  of  establish  the 

presence of the pathogen in question. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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2. 

3. 

4. 

Pending  the  result  of  the  examination  referred  to  in  point  1,  the  competent 
authority  shall  place  the  farm  under  official  surveillance  and  relevant  control 
measures  must  be  implemented  and  no  fish  should  leave  the  affected  farm, 
unless authorised by the official service. 

If  the  examination  referred  to  in  point  1  show  the  presence  of  a  pathogen  or 
clinical  signs,  an  epizootic  investigation  must  be  carried  out  by  the  official 
service  in  order  to  determine  the  possible  means  of  contamination  and  to 
investigate  whether  fish  have  left  the  farm,  during  the  relevant  period 
preceding observation of the suspicion. 

If  the  epizootic  investigation  shows  that  the  disease  has  been  introduced  into 
one or more farms or unenclosed waters the provisions of point 1 shall apply in 
these areas and; 

4.1.  all of the farms situated in the same water catchment area or coastal area 

be placed under official surveillance, 

4.2.  no  fish,  eggs  or  gametes  leave  these  farms  without  the  authorisation  of 

the official service. 

5. 

In  the  case  of  extensive  water  catchment  areas  or  coastal  areas,  the  official 
service  may  decide  to  limit  this  measure  to  a  less  extensive  area  close  to  the 
farm suspected of being infected, if it considers that this area affords maximum 
guarantees for the prevention of the spread of the disease. 

C. 

In case of confirmation of the disease, the Member States shall ensure that 

1. 

2. 

The  farm  or  site  containing  the  infected  fish  is  immediately  placed  under 
restrictions and no live fish is moved into the premises, and no fish is moved 
out of the farm unless authorised by the official services in the Member State. 

The restrictions shall be maintained until eradication has been achieved either 
through the requirements in 2.1 or 2.2 below: 

2.1.  Immediate withdrawal of all stock by 

(a)  Slaughter  of  all  live  fish  under  the  supervision  of  the  official 
service or, in the case of fish which have reached commercial size 
and  show  no  clinical  sign  of  disease,  slaughter  under  the 
supervision  of  the  official  service  for  marketing  or  processing  for 
human  consumption.  In  the  latter  case,  the  official  service  shall 
ensure  that  the  fish  are  immediately  slaughtered  and  gutted,  that 
these operations are carried out in conditions such as to prevent the 
spread  of  pathogens.  The  Member  State  may  on  a  case  by  case 
basis, taking into consideration the risk of spreading the disease to 
other farms or to the wild population, allow fish which have not yet 
reached commercial size to be kept at the farm until market size is 
reached; and 

30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/18 

(b)  Fallowing of the farm or site (and where appropriate disinfection) 
for  an  appropriate  period  following  withdrawal,  taking  into 
consideration  Section 1.7  of  the  most  current  edition  of  the  OIE 
International Aquatic Animal Health Code. 

2.2.  Progressive  measures  to  clear  infection  by  careful  management  of 

infected farms or sites by 

(a)  Removal  and  destruction  of  dead  fish  and  fish  displaying  clinical 
signs  of  disease,  harvesting  fish  not  displaying  clinical  signs  of 
disease, until each epidemiological unit affected by disease within 
the site is emptied of fish and disinfected; or 

(b)  Removal  and  destruction  of  dead  fish  and  fish  displaying  clinical 
signs  of  disease,  in  the  case  of  sites  where  withdrawal  and/or 
disinfection  may  not  be  possible  because  of  the  nature  of  the  site 
(e.g. a river system or extensive lake). 

3. 

To  facilitate  a  swift  and  rapid  eradication  of  the  disease  from  infected 
premises,  the  competent  authority  of  the  Member  State  may  allow  fish  not 
displaying clinical signs of disease to be transported – under the supervision of 
the competent authority – to other farms or areas within the Member State in 
question that is not covered by disease free status or an approved control and 
eradication programme. 

4. 

Fish removed and disposed of as a consequence of the action in paragraphs 2.1 
and 2.2 must be disposed of in accordance with Regulation 1774/2002. 

5. 

Fish used to re-stock sites must originate from certified disease free sources. 

6.  Member  States  shall  take  the  necessary  measures  to  prevent  the  spreading  of 

the disease to other farmed fish or wild stocks. 

Chapter II 
Territories with approved control and eradication programmes of certain diseases 
referred to in Column 1, List III of Annex A to Council Directive 91/67/EEC 

Disease 

Member State 

Territory or parts of territory 

Spring viraemia of carp 

United Kingdom 

The territories of Great Britain 

Bacterial kidney disease 

Finland 

The continental parts of the territory.  

Sweden 

The continental parts of the territory. 

United Kingdom 

The territories of Great Britain 

30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/19 

ANNEX III 

MODEL ANIMAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE FOR THE PLACING ON THE MARKET OF (1)[LIVE FISH] 
(1)[AND] (1)[EGGS] (1)[AND] (1)[GAMETES], BELONGING TO THE SPECIES SUSCEPTIBLE TO (1)[SPRING 
VIRAEMIA OF CARP] (1)[AND] (1)[INFECTIOUS PANCREATIC NECROSIS] (1)[AND] (1)[BACTERIAL KIDNEY 
DISEASE], (1)[AND] (1)[GYRODACTYLUS SALARIS], FOR FARMING OR BREEDING IN TERRITORIES WITH 
COMMUNITY APPROVED FREEDOM OR CONTROL AND ERADICATION PROGRAMMES FOR ONE OR 
MORE OF THOSE DISEASES 

Reference Code No 

ORIGINAL 

1. 
1.1. 

1.2. 

1.3. 

(2)[1.4. 

1.5. 

3. 
3.1. 
3.2. 
3.3. 

2.3. 

2.2. 

2. 
2.1. 

Place of origin of the consignment 
Member state of origin: .................................... 
.......................................................................... 
Farm of origin, name: ....................................... 
.......................................................................... 
Address of location of farm: ............................. 
.......................................................................... 
Place of harvest: ............................................... 
.........................................................................] 
Name,  address  and  phone  number  of 
Consignor: ........................................................ 
.......................................................................... 
.......................................................................... 
.......................................................................... 
Means of transport and consignment identification(4) 
Means of transport: (1)[Lorry] (1)[Rail-wagon] (1)[Ship] (1)[Aircraft] 
(1)[Registration number(s)] (1)[Ship name] (1)[Flight number]:................................................................................  
Consignment identification details: ........................................................................................................................  

Destination of the consignment 
Member State:................................................... 
.......................................................................... 
Zone or part of the Member State: .................... 
.......................................................................... 
Farm of destination, name:................................ 
.......................................................................... 
Address of location of farm: ............................. 
.......................................................................... 
Place of destination:.......................................... 
........................................................................ ] 
Name,  address  and  phone  number  of 
Consignee: ........................................................ 
.......................................................................... 

(3)[2.5. 

2.6. 

2.4. 

the 

the 

4.  Description of the consignment 
ڤ Farmed stocks  ڤ Wild stocks 

Species 

Scientific name: 

Common name: 

ڤ Gametes 

ڤ Fertilised eggs 

ڤ Unfertilised eggs 

ڤ Larvae/fry 

Total weight of 
consignment 
(1)[Number of fish] 

Volume of  
(1)[eggs] 
(1)[gametes] 

Age of live animals 

ڤ >24 months 
ڤ 12-24 months 
ڤ 0-12 months; 
ڤ unknown 

5. 

5.1 
either 

or 

Health attestation 
I,  the  undersigned,  hereby  certify  that  the  (1)[fish]  (1)[and]  (1)[eggs]  (1)[and]  (1)[gametes]  forming  the  present 
consignment belonging to the species susceptible(5) to (1)[Spring viraemia of carp] (1)[and] (1)[Infectious pancreatic 
necrosis]  (1)[and]  (1)[Bacterial  kidney  disease]  (1)[and]  (1)[Gyrodactylus  salaris]  referred  to  in  point  4  of  this 
certificate fulfils the following requirements: 

(1)[they  originate  from  the  following  territory:…………………,which  is  considered  free  from  (1)[SVC]  (1)[and] 
(1)[IPN] (1)[and] (1)[BKD] (1)[and] (1)[G. salaris] in accordance with Annex I to Decision 2004/xxxx/EC(6) , and 
where  all  farms  raising  species  susceptible(5)  to  (1)[SVC]  (1)[and]  (1)[IPN]  (1)[and]  (1)[BKD]  (1)[and]  (1)[G. 
salaris] are under the supervision of the competent authority, and]  

(1)[they  originate  from  the  following  farm:…………………(7),which  is  under  the  supervision  of  the  competent 
authority, and which at the time of the year (1)[SVC] (1)[and] (1)[IPN] (1)[and] (1)[BKD] is expected to manifest 
itself, have been submitted for at least two years to inspections by the competent authority, with sampling at 
least  equivalent  to  those  sampling  programmes  laid  down  in  Commission  Decision  2001/183/EC(8)  or 
surveillance methods as described in the OIE Manual of diagnostic tests for aquatic animals, Chapter 1.1.4 
and  the  relevant  disease  chapters;  and  as  laboratory  tests  have  been  carried  out  in  accordance  with  the 
relevant chapters in the most current edition of the OIE Manual of diagnostic tests for aquatic animals, with 
all test giving negative results , and ] 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/20 

or 

or 

or 

or 

or 

– 

– 

– 

5.2. 

Reference Code No 

ORIGINAL 

(9)[they  originate  from  the  following  continental  farm:…………………(7),  which  is  under  the  supervision  of  the 
competent  authority,  and  where  (1)[SVC]  (1)[and]  (1)[IPN]  (1)[and]  (1)[BKD]  have  occurred  within  in  the 
previous two years, but where the whole fish population has been withdrawn, and all ponds, tanks or other 
installations  and  equipment  disinfected  under  the  supervision  of  the  competent  authority,  and  where 
restocking has taken place with fish from a source certified free by the competent authority after sampling at 
least  equivalent  to  those  sampling  programmes  laid  down  in  Commission  Decision  2001/183/EC(8)  or 
surveillance methods as described in the OIE Manual of diagnostic tests for aquatic animals, Chapter 1.1.4 
and the relevant disease chapters; and as laboratory tests have been carried out accordance with the relevant 
chapters in the most current edition of the OIE Manual of diagnostic tests for aquatic animals, with all test 
giving negative results, and ] 

(10)[they  originate  from  the  following  continental  farm:…………………(7),which  is  under  the  supervision  of  the 
competent  authority,  and  which  at  the  time  of  the  year  G.  salaris  is  expected  to  manifest  itself  has  been 
submitted  for  at  least  two  years  to  inspections  by  the  competent  authority,  with  sample  size  at  least 
equivalent to those sampling programmes laid down in Commission Decision 2001/183/EC(8) and sampling 
and laboratory tests have been carried out in accordance with the relevant chapters in the most current edition 
of the OIE Manual of diagnostic tests for aquatic animals, with all test giving negative results; and the farm is 
either  situated  in  a  part(11)  of  water  catchment  area  declared  free(12)  from  G.  salaris,  or  situated  in  a  water 
catchment area declared free(12) from G. salaris, and all other water catchment areas draining into the same 
estuary are declared free(12,13) from G. salaris, and ] 

(10)[they  originate  from  the  following  coastal  farm:…………………(7),  which  is  under  the  supervision  of  the 
competent  authority,  which  is  situated  in  a  coastal  zone  with  a  salinity  below  25  parts  per  thousand,  and 
where all water catchment areas draining into the estuary are declared free (12,13) of G. salaris, and ]  

(10)[they  originate  from  the  following  coastal  farm:…………………(7),  which  is  under  the  supervision  of  the 
competent authority, and situated in a coastal zone where the seawater has a salinity of more than 25 parts 
per thousand and no live fish of the susceptible species(5) have been introduced during the previous 14 days, 
and ]  

(14)[they  originate  from  the  following  farm:…………………(7),  which  is  under  the  supervision  of  the  competent 
authority,  and  where  the  eggs  have  been  disinfected  according  to  the  OIE  International  Aquatic  Animal 
Health  Code  Sixth  edition  2003,  Appendix  5.2.1,  ensuring  the  elimination  of  parasites  belonging  to  the 
species G. salaris, and ] 

where (1)[SVC] (1)[and] (1)[IPN] (1)[and] (1)[BKD] (1)[and] (1)[G. salaris] is notifiable to the competent authority, and 
reports of suspicion of infections must be immediately investigated by the official services, and 
in which all introduction of species susceptible(5) to (1)[SVC] (1)[and] (1)[IPN] (1)[and] (1)[BKD] (1)[and] (1)[G. salaris] 
has come from a zone or farm certified free of (1)[SVC] (1)[and] (1)[IPN] (1)[and] (1)[BKD] (1)[and] (1)[G. salaris], and 
(15)[- in which the fish has not been vaccinated against (1)[IPN] (1)[and] (1)[BKD] , and] 
fulfil the following requirements: 
(a) 

they  have  not,  since the time  they  were  (1)[harvested]  (1)[caught],  been  in contact  with  other live  aquatic 
animals, eggs or gametes of a lower health status ,  
they are not intended for destruction or slaughter for the eradication of diseases listed in Annex A, column 
1, of Directive 91/67/EEC,  
they do not originate from a farm subject to any prohibitions for animal health reasons,  
they do not show any clinical signs of disease on the day of loading,  
they  have  been  subject  to  a  visual  check  of  a  randomly  selected  representative  part  of  the  consignment, 
including each part having a different origin, and no species other than those specified in point 4 of this 
certificate were detected 
they are placed in [water]1 [on ice]1 of a quality that does not alter their health status, and 
they have been placed in (1)[sealed watertight clean containers which were disinfected beforehand using an 
authorised disinfectant and which bear on the exterior a legible label] (1)[a well boat where the well and its 
pipe  and  pump  systems  were  free  of  fish,  cleaned  and  disinfected  beforehand  using  an  authorised 
disinfectant,  carrying  a  manifest]  with  the  relevant16  information  referred  to  at  point  1  and  2  of  this 
certificate and the following statement: 
"(1)[Live fish] (1)[and] (1)[Eggs] (1)[and] (1)[Gametes] belonging to the species susceptible to (1)[SVC] (1)[and] 
(1)[IPN]  (1)[and]  (1)[BKD]  (1)[and]  (1)[Gyrodactylus  salaris],  authorised  for  placing  on  the  market  in 
Community  zones  with  approved  status  or  control  and  eradication  programme,  with  regard  to  (1)[Spring 
viraemia  of  carp]  (1)[and]  (1)[Infectious  pancreatic  necrosis]  (1)[and]  (1)[Bacterial  kidney  disease]  (1)[and] 
(1)[G. salaris] 

(b) 

(c) 
(d) 
(e) 

(f) 
(g) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/21 

Reference Code No 

ORIGINAL 

Done at .................................................................. , 

on .............................................................................  

(Place) 

(Date) 

Official stamp 

.................................................................................  

(Signature of official inspector) 

.................................................................................  
(Name in capital letter, qualifications and title) 

Indicative notes 
(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 

Retain as appropriate. 
If different from place of origin, retain as appropriate. 

If different from farm of destination, retain as appropriate. 

The registration number(s) of rail-wagon or lorry and the name of the ship should be given as appropriate. If known, the flight number of the aircraft shall be specified. In 

(5) 

case of transport in containers or boxes, the total number, their registration and seal numbers, if present, shall be indicated under point 3.3. 
Known susceptible species (see table) 

Disease 
Spring viraemia of carp (SVC) 

Infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) 

Bacterial kidney disease (BKD) 
Gyrodactylus salaries 

trout 

silver 

(Oncorhynchus  mykiss),  brook 

Susceptible species* 
common  carp  and  koi  carp  (Cyprinus  carpio),  grass  carp 
carp 
idellus), 
(Ctenopharyngodon 
(Hypophthalmichthys  molitrix),  bighead  carp  (Aristichthys 
nobilis),  crucian  carp 
(Carassius  carassius),  goldfish 
(C.auratus),  roach  (Rutilus  rutilus),  ide  (Leuciscus  idus), 
tench (Tinca tinca) and sheatfish (Silurus glanis 
trout 
rainbow 
(Salvelinus  fontinalis),  brown  trout  (Salmo  trutta),  Atlantic 
salmon  (Salmo  salar),  and  several  Pacific  salmon  species 
(Oncorhynchus spp.) 
fish belonging to the family Salmonidae 
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus 
mykiss),  Arctic  char  (Salvelinus  alpinus),  North  American 
brook  trout  (S.  fontinalis),  grayling  (Thymallus  thymallus), 
North  American  lake  trout  (Salvelinus  namaycush)  and 
brown  trout  (Salmo  trutta).  Other  species  of  fish  on  sites 
where  any  of  the  above  species  are  present  shall  also  be 
considered as susceptible species. 

* 

(6) 
(7) 
(8) 

(9) 

(10) 
(11) 

(12) 

(13) 

(14) 

and any other species referred to as susceptible in the most current edition of the OIE International aquatic animal health code 
and/or the OIE Manual of diagnostic tests for aquatic animals 
This Decision (SANCO/xxxx/2004/EC). 
Name and address of the farm. 
Commission  Decision  2001/183/EC  laying  down  EC-Model  A  –  at  least  four  years  documented  freedom 
including two year active targeted surveillance, or EC Model B – at least six years documented freedom including 
two year active targeted surveillance, or surveillance methods as described in the OIE Manual of diagnostic tests 
for aquatic animals, Chapter 1.1.4 and the relevant disease chapters. 
Applicable  only  to  continental  farms  where  epizootiological  investigations  have  shown  that  the  disease  has  not 
spread to other farms or into the wild. Retain as applicable. 
Applicable to areas with additional guarantees for Gyrodactylus salaris only. Retain as applicable 
According to Annex B, I A to Directive 91/67/EEC a part of a water catchment area can only be declared free 
from a disease if it consists of the upper part of the catchment area from its sources of the waterways to a natural 
or artificial barrier preventing fish migrating from downstream of that barrier. 
The  competent  authority  of  the  Member  State  can  declare  a  water  catchment  area  free  of  Gyrodactylus  salaris 
provided compliance with the requirements in Annex I, Chapter 1.B of This Decision (SANCO/2004/xxxx/EC).  
Any such declaration of freedom shall be communicated to the Commission and other Member States and shall be 
open to scrutiny on request.  
When declaring continental zones free of Gyrodactylus salaris, it must be taken into account that the disease may 
spread by migrating fish between different continental zones if the salinity between them is low or intermediate 
(below  25  ppt).  Hence  one  individual  continental  zone  can  not  be  declared  free  if  another  continental  zone 
draining into the same coastal zone is infected or has unknown status, unless they are separated by seawater with 
salinity above 25 ppt. 
Applicable to areas with additional guarantees for Gyrodactylus salaris only and in relation to trade in eggs, retain 
as applicable. 

 
 
 
30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/22 

(15) 

(16) 

Applicable to species susceptible to SVC, IPN and/or BKD only, introduced into areas with additional guarantees 
for SVC, IPN and/or BKD. Retain as applicable. 
Member state and zone (as applicable) and of destination; name and telephone number of the consignor and consignee. 

Reference Code No 

ORIGINAL 

 
30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/23 

Explanatory notes for the movement document and labelling 

ANNEX IV 

If for reasons of identification of the items of the 
consignment,  additional  pages  are  attached  to 
the  movement  document,  these  pages  shall  be 
considered as forming part of the original and be 
signed  and  stamped  by  the  certifying  official 
inspector on each page. 

The  original  of  the  movement  document  must 
accompany the consignment until it reaches the 
place of destination. 

The  movement  document  shall  be  valid  for 
10 days  from  the  date  of  issue.  In  the  case  of 
transport  by  ship,  the  time  of  validity  is 
prolonged by the time of journey at sea. 

The  aquatic  animals,  their  eggs  and  gametes, 
shall  not  be  transported  together  with  other 
aquatic  animals  or  their  eggs  and  gametes  that 
are  of  a  lower  health  status.  Furthermore,  they 
must  not  be 
transported  under  any  other 
conditions  that  alter  their  health  status  or  could 
jeopardise  the  health  status  at  the  place  of 
destination. 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

The movement documents shall be produced by 
the  competent  authorities  of  the  Member  State 
of  origin,  based  on  the  model  appearing  in 
Annex I to this Decision taking into account the 
species of the consignment and the status of the 
place of destination. 

The  original  of  each  movement  document  shall 
consist of a single page, double-sided, or, where 
more  than  one  page  is  required,  it  shall  be  in 
such  a  form  that  all  pages  form  part  of  an 
integrated whole and are indivisible. 

It shall, on the right hand side of the top of each 
page, be marked as "original" and bear a specific 
code number issued by the competent authority. 
All  pages  of  the  movement  document  shall  be 
numbered  -  (page  number)  of  (total  number  of 
pages). 

 (e) 

(f) 

(g) 

(h) 

to 

in 

The original of the movement document and the 
labels  referred 
the  model  movement 
document  shall  be  drawn  up  in  at  least  one 
official  language  of  the  Member  State  of 
destination. However, Member States may allow 
other  languages,  if  necessary,  accompanied  by 
an official translation. 

The original of the movement document must be 
completed,  on  the  day  of  loading  of  the 
consignment,  with  an  official  stamp  and  signed 
by  an  official  inspector  designated  by  the 
competent authority. In doing so, the competent 
authority  of  the  Member  State  of  origin  shall 
the  principles  of  certification 
ensure 
equivalent 
in  Council 
to  those 
Directive 96/93/EC are followed. 

laid  down 

that 

The  stamp,  unless  embossed,  and  the  signature 
shall  be  in  a  colour  different  to  that  of  the 
printing. 

 
30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/24 

ANNEX V 

Minimum criteria to be applied to maintain additional guarantees for certain diseases 
referred to in Column 1, List III of Annex A to Council Directive 91/67/EEC, according 
to Articles 12 and 13 of Council Directive 91/67/EEC 

A. 

In order to maintain additional guarantees granted, the Member States must as 
a minimum comply with the following criteria: 

1. 

The  disease  must  be  compulsorily  notifiable  to  the  Competent  Authority, 
including notification of suspicion. 

2.  All farms having species susceptible to the disease, to which the Member State 
has  been  granted  free  status,  must  be  under  the  supervision  of  the  competent 
authority. 

3.  An early detection system ensuring the rapid recognition of signs suspicious of 
the disease in question, in aquatic animals in an aquaculture establishment or in 
the  wild,  and  the  rapid  communication  of  the  event  to  the  Competent 
Authority, with the aim to activate diagnostic investigation with minimal delay 
must  be  in  place  enabling  the  Competent  Authority  to  undertake  effective 
disease investigation and reporting, including access to laboratories capable of 
diagnosing  and  differentiating  relevant  diseases,  and  training  of  veterinarians 
or fish health specialists in detecting and reporting unusual disease occurrence. 
Such an early detection system must at least include the following: 

3.1.  broad  awareness,  e.g.  among  the  personnel  employed  at  aquaculture 
establishments or involved in processing, of the characteristic signs of the 
listed diseases; 

3.2.  veterinarians  or  aquatic  animal  health  specialists  trained  in  recognising 

and reporting suspicious disease occurrence; 

3.3.  ability  of  the  Competent  Authority  to  undertake  rapid  and  effective 

disease investigation; 

3.4.  access by the Competent Authority to laboratories with the facilities for 

diagnosing and differentiating the disease in question. 

4. 

5. 

Conditions to trade and imports as well as management of wild fish stocks of 
the  susceptible  species,  to  prevent  the  introduction  of  the  disease  in  question 
into  the  Member  State  or  parts  thereof  covered  by  this  Decision  must  be  in 
place.  Fish  originating  in  coastal  zones  should  not  be  introduced  into 
continental zones, unless authorised by the competent authority of the Member 
State of destination.  

In  Member  States  where  only  parts  of  territory  is  declared  free  according  to 
Annex I, Chapter II (not whole territory is declared free), targeted surveillance 
must been maintained in accordance with the provisions of Annex II, Chapter 
I.4 in the areas declared free. 

6. 

Live aquaculture fish, eggs and gametes introduced into the territories listed in 
Annex  I  Chapter  II,  or  Annex  II  Chapter  II,  shall  be  transported  under 

30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/25 

conditions not altering their health status and not jeopardising the health status 
at  the  place  of  destination.  The  transport  shall  take  place  in  water  considered 
free  from  the  disease  in  question  as  it  is  taken  from  the  water  source  of  the 
farm or site of origin, and that water exchange during transport is done only at 
places  authorised  by  the  competent  authority  of  the  Member  State  of 
destination, where appropriate in collaboration with the competent authority of 
the Member State of origin. 

7.  Vaccination against the disease in question shall not take place. 

8. 

Before 1 May each year submit a report to the Commission giving information 
on  the  number  of  suspicions,  the  number  confirmations,  the  number  of  farms 
and  sites  under  restrictions,  the  number  of  restrictions  lifted  and  the  result  of 
any active surveillance performed the previous calendar year according to the 
following table. 

30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/26 

Member State and disease 

Number of suspicions 

Number of suspicions 

Number  of  farms  and  sites  under 
restrictions 

The number of restrictions lifted 

How  many  farms  and  fish/pools  of 
fish have been sampled 

How  many  wild  fish/pools  of  fish 
have been sampled from which water 
catchment areas 

Result of sampling 

B. 

In  the  case  of  suspicion  of  a  disease  the  official  service  in  the  Member  States 
shall ensure that: 

1.  Appropriate  samples  are  taken  for  examinations  with  a  view  of  establish  the 

presence of the pathogen in question. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Pending  the  result  of  the  examination  referred  to  in  point  1,  the  competent 
authority  shall  place  the  farm  under  official  surveillance  and  relevant  control 
measures  must  be  implemented  and  no  fish  should  leave  the  affected  farm, 
unless authorised by the official service. 

If  the  examination  referred  to  in  point  1  show  the  presence  of  a  pathogen  or 
clinical  signs,  an  epizootic  investigation  must  be  carried  out  by  the  official 
service  in  order  to  determine  the  possible  means  of  contamination  and  to 
investigate  whether  fish  have  left  the  farm,  during  the  relevant  period 
preceding observation of the suspicion. 

If  the  epizootic  investigation  shows  that  the  disease  has  been  introduced  into 
one or more farms or unenclosed waters the provisions of point 1 shall apply in 
these areas and; 

4.1.  all of the farms situated in the same water catchment area or coastal area 

be placed under official surveillance, 

4.2.  no  fish,  eggs  or  gametes  leave  these  farms  without  the  authorisation  of 

the official service. 

5. 

In  the  case  of  extensive  water  catchment  areas  or  coastal  areas,  the  official 
service  may  decide  to  limit  this  measure  to  a  less  extensive  area  close  to  the 
farm suspected of being infected, if it considers that this area affords maximum 
guarantees for the prevention of the spread of the disease. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/27 

C. 

In case of confirmation of the disease, the Member States shall ensure that 

1. 

2. 

The  farm  or  site  containing  the  infected  fish  is  immediately  placed  under 
restrictions and no live fish is moved into the premises, and no fish is moved 
out of the farm unless authorised by the official services in the Member State. 

The restrictions shall be maintained until eradication has been achieved either 
through the requirements in 2.1 or 2.2 below: 

2.1.  Immediate withdrawal of all stock from a farm by 

(a)  Slaughter  of  all  live  fish  under  the  supervision  of  the  official 
service or, in the case of fish which have reached commercial size 
and  show  no  clinical  sign  of  disease,  slaughter  under  the 
supervision  of  the  official  service  for  marketing  or  processing  for 
human  consumption.  In  the  latter  case,  the  official  service  shall 
ensure  that  the  fish  are  immediately  slaughtered  and  gutted,  that 
these operations are carried out in conditions such as to prevent the 
spread  of  pathogens.  The  Member  State  may  on  a  case  by  case 
basis, taking into consideration the risk of spreading the disease to 
other farms or to the wild population, allow fish which have not yet 
reached commercial size to be kept at the farm until market size is 
reached; and 

(b)  Fallowing,  and  where  appropriate  disinfection,  of  the  farm  or  site 
for  an  appropriate  period  following  withdrawal,  taking  into 
consideration  Section  1.7  of  the  most  current  edition  of  the  OIE 
International Aquatic Animal Health Code. 

2.2.  Progressive  measures  to  clear  infection  by  careful  management  of 

infected farms or waters by 

(a)  Removal  and  destruction  of  dead  fish  and  fish  displaying  clinical 
signs  of  disease,  harvesting  fish  not  displaying  clinical  signs  of 
disease, until each epidemiological unit affected by disease within 
the site is emptied of fish and disinfected; or 

(b)  Removal  and  destruction  of  dead  fish  and  fish  displaying  clinical 
signs  of  disease,  in  the  case  of  sites  where  withdrawal  and/or 
disinfection  may  not  be  possible  because  of  the  nature  of  the  site 
(e.g. a river system or extensive lake). 

3. 

To  facilitate  a  swift  and  rapid  eradication  of  the  disease  from  infected 
premises,  the  competent  authority  of  the  Member  State  may  allow  fish  not 
displaying clinical signs of disease to be transported – under the supervision of 
the competent authority – to other farms or areas within the Member State in 
question that is not covered by disease free status or an approved control and 
eradication programme. 

30.4.2004              EN                       Official Journal of the European Union                                         L 156/28 

4. 

Fish removed and disposed of as a consequence of the action in paragraphs 2.1 
and 2.2 must be disposed of in accordance with Regulation 1774/2002. 

5. 

Fish used to re-stock sites must originate from certified disease free sources. 

6.  Member  States  shall  take  the  necessary  measures  to  prevent  the  spreading  of 

the disease to other farmed fish or wild stocks. 

7.  When  the  Member  State  has  eradicated  the  disease  from  a  continental  farm 
according  to  Point  C  2.1  of  this  Annex,  and  the  epizootic  investigations 
required in Point B 3 of this Annex concludes that the disease has not spread to 
other  farms  or  into  the  wild,  disease  free  status  is  reinstated  immediately. 
Otherwise,  the  disease  free  status  could  only  be  reinstated  after  compliance 
with Annex I.