94/794/EC: Commission Decision of 14 December 1994 concerning certain protection measures relating to bovine spongiform encephalopathy and repealing Decisions 89/469/EEC and 90/200/EEC

COMMISSION DECISION of 14 December 1994 concerning certain protection measures relating to bovine spongiform encephalopathy and repealing Decisions 89/469/EEC and 90/200/EEC (94/794/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 amened  by 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 Directive 92/118/EEC, and in particular Article 9  thereof,
Whereas cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) have been reported in the United Kingdom;
Whereas in order to protect animal and public health in the Community, the Commission has adopted several Decisions, in particular Decision 94/474/EC of 27 July 1994 concerning certain protection measures relating to bovine spongiform encephalopathy and  repealing Decisions 89/469/EEC and 90/200/EEC (4);
Whereas as a result of measures taken in the United Kingdom the BSE epidemic is now declining;
Whereas new information continues to become available and the situation must be continually reviewed;
Whereas the Commission has carried out a detailed examination of the situation and all relevant scientific information with the Scientific Veterinary Committee;
Whereas the prohibition on feeding meat and bone meal (MBM) of ruminant origin to ruminants in July 1988 was the principal measure in controlling BSE; whereas, however, this prohibiton has not been totally effective in preventing the occurrence of BSE  in bovines born after July 1988;
Whereas, however, in the opinion of the Scientific Veterinary Committee, the feed ban is becoming increasingly effective, and the evidence for natural and horizontal transmission is slight; whereas, therefore the risk of human exposure to the BSE agent  from meat from cattle born in the United Kingdom after 1 January 1992 is very low; whereas the Scientific Veterinary Committee has recommended that the BSE restrictions on this meat should be lifted;
Whereas, therefore, it is necessary to amend Decision 94/474/EC;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,