1999/713/EC: Commission Decision of 21 October 1999 amending Decision 98/653/EC concerning emergency measures made necessary by the occurrence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Portugal (notified under document number C(1999) 3376) (Text with EEA relevance)

COMMISSION DECISION
of 21 October 1999
amending Decision 98/653/EC concerning emergency measures made necessary by the occurrence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Portugal
(notified under document number C(1999) 3376)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(1999/713/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 92/118/EEC(2), and in particular Article 10(4) thereof,
(1) Whereas Decision 98/653/EC of 18 November 1998 concerning emergency measures made necessary by the occurrence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Portugal(3), as amended by Decision 1999/517/EC(4), prohibits the dispatch from Portugal of live bovine animals, including fighting bulls; whereas Portugal has requested a derogation to allow the dispatch of fighting bulls; whereas the mission carried out in Portugal by the Food and Veterinary Office of the Commission from 22 February to 3 March 1999 concluded that it cannot be excluded that fighting bulls have been exposed to BSE contaminated feed; whereas, nevertheless, it recommended that the dispatch of fighting bulls could be allowed subject to appropriate controls and destruction of the animals after the fight in the Member State of destination ensuring that the carcases do not end up in the food or feed chain;
(2) Whereas Council Directive 91/628/EEC of 19 November 1991 on the protection of animals during transport(5), as last amended by Council Directive 95/29/EC(6), lays down rules for the transportation of animals, in particular on maximum journey times and the handling of animals during transport;
(3) Whereas Council Directive 89/608/EEC of 21 November 1989 on mutual assistance between the administrative authorities of the Member States and cooperation between the latter and the Commission to ensure the correct application of legislation on veterinary and zootechnical matters(7), and in particular Article 10 thereof, lays down the rules for the communication by the competent authorities in the Member States to the Commission of information on operations, which are, or appear to be, contrary to Decision 98/653/EC and which are of particular interest at Community level;
(4) Whereas Directive 90/425/EEC requires the Member State of destination to take appropriate measures in case of irregulaties; whereas protocols should be laid down for such measures in the Member States of destination;
(5) Whereas Decision 98/653/EC should be amended accordingly;
(6) Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,