2003/436/EC: Commission Decision of 16 June 2003 amending Decision 2002/975/EC on introducing vaccination to supplement the measures to control infections with low pathogenic avian influenza in Italy and on specific movement control measures (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2003) 1834)

Commission Decision
of 16 June 2003
amending Decision 2002/975/EC on introducing vaccination to supplement the measures to control infections with low pathogenic avian influenza in Italy and on specific movement control measures
(notified under document number C(2003) 1834)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2003/436/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 Directive 2002/33/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(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 Regulation (EC) No 806/2003(4), and in particular Article 9(4) thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 92/40/EEC of 19 May 1992 introducing Community measures for the control of avian influenza(5), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 806/2003, and in particular Article 16 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) During 1999 and 2000 Italy has experienced outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza of subtype H7N1 with devastating economic losses for the poultry industry. Prior to the epidemic a virus of low pathogenicity had been circulating in the area.
(2) During monitoring for avian influenza the presence of low pathogenic avian influenza virus of subtype H7N3 was detected in the regions of Veneto and Lombardia in October 2002.
(3) In order to control the spread of infection with low pathogenic avian influenza virus the Commission has approved a vaccination programme by Commission Decision 2002/975/EC(6).
(4) The results of the vaccination programme reported at several meetings of the Standing Committees on the Food Chain and Animal Health are generally favourable in view of the control of the disease within the vaccination zone. However, the infection has spread to some areas adjacent to the established vaccination zone.
(5) The vaccination zone should therefore be extended to cover areas at risk for the propagation of the virus while the stringent monitoring measures and trade restrictions are applied accordingly.
(6) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,