2000/721/EC: Commission Decision of 7 November 2000 on introducing vaccination to supplement the measures to control avian influenza in Italy and on specific movement control measures (notified under document number C(2000) 3257) (Text with EEA relevance)

Commission Decision
of 7 November 2000
on introducing vaccination to supplement the measures to control avian influenza in Italy and on specific movement control measures
(notified under document number C(2000) 3257)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2000/721/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
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 market(1), as last amended by Council Directive 92/118/EEC(2), and, in particular, Article 10(4) thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 89/662/EEC of 11 December 1989 concerning veterinary checks in intra-Community trade with a view to the completion of the internal market(3), as last amended by Council Directive 92/118/EEC, and in particular, Article 9(4) thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 92/40/EEC introducing Community measures for the control of avian influenza(4), and in particular Article 16 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Italy has during 1999 and 2000 experienced outbreaks of avian influenza with devastating economic losses for the poultry industry.
(2) Italy has during epidemiological investigations for avian influenza detected the presence of low pathogenic avian influenza virus.
(3) The low pathogenic virus can mutate to a highly pathogenic virus and cause disease outbreaks.
(4) The low pathogenic virus circulates at present in an area of Italy with dense poultry population.
(5) Vaccination can in this context be an effective tool to supplement disease control measures.
(6) Where vaccination against avian influenza is practised movement restrictions for vaccinated poultry have to be implemented.
(7) Italy has presented a vaccination programme to supplement the measures to control avian influenza in a limited area of Italy including specific movement restrictions.
(8) Italy has authorised the use of an inactivated vaccine against avian influenza for the implementation of the programme. The vaccine is obtained from the Master seed strain CK/Pak/95-H7.
(9) The Commission shall establish a technical working group to review the vaccination programme presented by Italy.
(10) Italy shall introduce specific movement restrictions related to vaccination of poultry and to intra-Community trade.
(11) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,