Commission Directive 2003/21/EC of 24 March 2003 amending Directive 2001/32/EC as regards certain protected zones exposed to particular plant health risks in the Community

Commission Directive 2003/21/EC
of 24 March 2003
amending Directive 2001/32/EC as regards certain protected zones exposed to particular plant health risks in the Community
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community(1), as last amended by Commission Directive 2002/89/EC(2), and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 2(1)(h) thereof,
Having regard to the requests made by Ireland, Italy, Austria, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom,
Whereas:
(1) Under Commission Directive 2001/32/EC of 8 May 2001 recognising protected zones exposed to particular plant health risks in the Community and repealing Directive 92/76/EEC(3), as last amended by Directive 2002/29/EC(4), certain areas of Portugal are recognised as protected zones in respect of Gonipterus scutellatus Gyll.
(2) From information supplied by Portugal based on updated surveys, it appears that the protected zone for Gonipterus scutellatus Gyll. should be modified and restricted to Azores only.
(3) From information supplied by Ireland based on surveys, it appears that Liriomyza bryoniae (Kaltenbach) is not present in its territory.
(4) From information supplied by the United Kingdom based on surveys, it appears that Liriomyza bryoniae (Kaltenbach) is not present in Northern Ireland.
(5) Under Directive 2001/32/EC, Ireland, certain areas of Italy and certain areas of Austria are provisionally recognised as "protected zones" in respect of Erwinia amylovora (Burr.) Winsl. et al. for a period expiring on 31 March 2003.
(6) From information supplied by Austria, Ireland and Italy it appears that the provisional recognition of the protected zones for those countries in respect of Erwinia amylovora (Burr.) Winsl. et al. should exceptionally be extended for a further period to enable the responsible official bodies of those countries to complete the information on the distribution of Erwinia amylovora (Burr.) Winsl. et al. and to complete efforts for the eradication of this harmful organism in the areas concerned.
(7) From information supplied by Italy it appears that some parts of the region of Veneto, where this harmful organism is now established, should no longer be recognised as a protected zone in respect of Erwinia amylovora (Burr.) Winsl. et al.
(8) Under Directive 2001/32/EC, Sweden is provisionally recognised as a "protected zone" in respect of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus for a period expiring on 31 March 2003.
(9) From information supplied by Sweden, it appears that certain areas in the county of Skåne, where this harmful organism is now established, should no longer be recognised as a protected zone in respect of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus. The provisional recognition of this protected zone for the rest of Sweden should exceptionally be extended for a further period to enable the responsible official bodies of Sweden to complete the information on the distribution of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus and to complete efforts for the eradication of this harmful organism in other areas concerned.
(10) Directive 2001/32/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.
(11) The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plant Health,