2002/542/EC: Commission Decision of 4 July 2002 amending Decision 96/482/EC as regards the length of the isolation period for imports of live poultry and hatching eggs from third countries and the animal health measures to be applied after such importation (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2002) 2492)

Commission Decision
of 4 July 2002
amending Decision 96/482/EC as regards the length of the isolation period for imports of live poultry and hatching eggs from third countries and the animal health measures to be applied after such importation
(notified under document number C(2002) 2492)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2002/542/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 90/539/EEC of 15 October 1990 on animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade in, and imports from third countries, of poultry and hatching eggs(1), as last amended by Commission Decision 2001/867/EC(2), and in particular Article 26 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Under Commission Decision 96/482/EC of 12 July 1996 laying down animal health conditions and veterinary certificates for the importation of poultry and hatching eggs other than ratites and eggs thereof from third countries including animal health measures to be applied after such importation(3), as last amended by Decision 2002/183/EC(4) breeding and productive poultry are to be isolated after importation on the holding of destination for at least six weeks and examined by an authorised veterinarian.
(2) Member States have reported difficulties with the duration of the isolation period for poultry intended for restocking supplies of wild game, because of increased aggressiveness and cannibalism leading to increased losses.
(3) It is therefore opportune to shorten the duration of the isolation period. However, compulsory testing for avian influenza and Newcastle disease should be carried out to maintain equivalent animal health guarantees.
(4) Decision 96/482/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.
(5) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,