EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision of 9 September 2004 concerning the status of Iceland with regard to the fish diseases viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) and infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN)
Date: 2004-09-09
Institutions: EFTA Surveillance Authority
Subjects: EFTA, European Economic Area, Iceland, aquaculture, disease prevention, fish disease

C 319/62

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

23.12.2004

EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY DECISION

of 9 September 2004

concerning the status of Iceland with regard to the fish diseases viral haemorrhagic septicaemia
(VHS) and infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN)

(2004/C 319/09)

THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY,

Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (hereinafter referred to as the EEA
Agreement), in particular Article 109 and Protocol 1 thereof,

Having regard to the Agreement between the EFTA States on the establishment of a Surveillance Authority
and a Court Agreement, in particular Article 5(2)(d) and Protocol 1 thereof,

Having regard to the Act referred to at Point 4.1.5 of Chapter I of Annex I to the EEA Agreement, Council
Directive 91/67/EEC of 28 January 1991 concerning the animal health conditions governing the placing
on the market of aquaculture animals and products, as adapted by way of Protocol 1 to the EEA Agree-
ment and in particular Article 5 of the Act,

Having regard to the EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 196/04/COL of 14 July 2004 empowering
the Member with special responsibility for the free movement of goods to take certain decisions and
measures, and in particular Point 1 thereof,

Whereas in order to obtain, for one or more of the fish diseases viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) and
infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN), the status of approved zone and of approved fish farm situated
in a non-approved zone, the EFTA States shall submit to the EFTA Surveillance Authority (hereinafter
referred to as the Authority) appropriate justifications and the national rules ensuring compliance with the
conditions laid down in the Act,

Whereas the Authority, by its Decision No 155/03/COL of 18 July 2003, approved in accordance with
Article 10 of the Act the Icelandic programme designed in order to obtain the status of approved zone in
accordance with Article 5 of the Act with regard to the two diseases VHS and IHN,

Whereas the Government of Iceland, by its letter of 17 October 2003, submitted to the Authority an appli-
cation in order to obtain for the continental and coastal zones of Iceland the status of approved zone with
regard to the two diseases VHS and IHN,

Whereas the Authority has assessed the information provided by Iceland and has concluded that the conti-
nental and coastal areas within its territory qualify for the status of approved zone with regard to the two
diseases VHS and IHN by meeting the requirements of Article 5 of the Act,

Whereas by achieving the status of approved zone, the health status in Iceland with regard to the two
diseases VHS and IHN is equivalent to that of a zone in the European Union which has a similar status for
both diseases,

Whereas for the sake of clarity it is appropriate to repeal the EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No
155/03/COL of 18 July 2003 which approved the Icelandic programme applied to the two diseases VHS
and IHN,

Whereas the Authority by its Decision 223/04/COL referred the matter to the EFTA Veterinary Committee
assisting the Authority,

Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the EFTA Veter-
inary Committee assisting the Authority,

23.12.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 319/63

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

1. The parts of Iceland referred to in the Annex are recognised as approved continental zone and as
approved coastal zone for fish with regard to the fish diseases viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS)
and infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN).

2. This Decision shall enter into force on 15 September 2004.

3. This Decision is addressed to Iceland.

4. This Decision shall be authentic in the English language.

Done at Brussels, 9 September 2004.

For the EFTA Surveillance Authority

Bernd HAMMERMANN

College Member

Niels FENGER

Director

C 319/64

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

23.12.2004

ANNEX

Zones approved with regard to one or both of the fish diseases IHN and VHS

IHN

The whole continental and coastal area of Iceland

VHS

The whole continental and coastal area of Iceland