96/643/EC: Commission Decision of 13 November 1996 concerning protective measures with regard to imports of certain animals and their products from Bulgaria due to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (Text with EEA relevance)

COMMISSION DECISION of 13 November 1996 concerning protective measures with regard to imports of certain animals and their products from Bulgaria due to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (Text with EEA relevance) (96/643/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 90/675/EEC of 10 December 1990 laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries (1), as last amended by Directive 96/43/EC (2), and in particular Article 19 (6) thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries and amending Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675/EEC (3), as last amended by Directive 96/43/EC, and in particular Article 18 (1),
Whereas outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred in Bulgaria;
Whereas under the current Community legislation Member States authorize the imports of live biungulates and their products from Bulgaria; whereas, therefor, the situation in Bulgaria presents a serious threat to the herds of Member States in view of the trade in live animals and their products;
Whereas it is appropriate to take the necessary measures to protect the Community from the risk of introduction of this disease;
Whereas Commission Decision 93/242/EEC of 30 April 1993 concerning the importation into the Community of certain live animals and their products originating from certain European countries in relation to foot-and-mouth disease (4), as last amended by Decision 96/414/EC (5), allows under certain conditions, the importation of live animals, fresh meat and certain meat products from and through certain countries, including Bulgaria;
Whereas Commission Decision 95/340/EC (6), as last amended by Decision 96/584/EC (7), draws up a list of third countries from which Member States authorize imports of raw milk, heat treated milk and milk based products; whereas Bulgaria is included in this list; whereas it is necessary to ensure that any imported milk products have undergone a treatment sufficient to destroy the virus;
Whereas Council Directive 92/118/EEC of 17 December 1992 laying down animal health and public health requirements governing trade in and imports into the Community of products not subject to the said requirements laid down in specific Community rules referred to in Annex A (I) to Directive 89/662/EEC and, as regards parthogens, to Directive 90/425/EEC (8), as last amended by Commission Decision 96/405/EC (9), lays down the conditions for the importation of animal casings, hides and skins, bones and bone products, horn and horn products, hooves and hoove products, game trophies and unprocessed wool and hair; whereas these products may be imported only if treated in such a way to destroy the virus; whereas, however, certain other products may still be imported; whereas this material constitutes a risk;
Whereas it is necessary therefore to prohibit the importation and transit of live biungulates and the imports of certain animal products from Bulgaria; whereas however certain products can be imported if they have undergone specific treatments;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,