96/730/EC: Commission Decision of 17 December 1996 concerning protective measures with regard to imports of certain animals and their products from Bulgaria due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and repealing Decision 96/643/EC (Text with EEA relevance)

COMMISSION DECISION of 17 December 1996 concerning protective measures with regard to imports of certain animals and their products from Bulgaria due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and repealing Decision 96/643/EC (Text with EEA relevance) (96/730/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 one outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease occurred on 25 October 1996 in Bulgaria;
Whereas the Bulgarian authorities took action to prohibit the spread of the disease;
Whereas to protect the livestock population of the Community, the Commission adopted Decision 96/643/EC of 13 November 1996, concerning protective measures with regard to imports of certain animals and their products from Bulgaria (4);
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 (5), as last amended by Decision 96/643/EC, allows under certain conditions, the importation of live animals, fresh meat and certain meat products from and through certain countries;
Whereas Commission Decision 95/340/EC (6), as last amended by Decision 96/325/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 lays 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 at Annex A (I) to Directive 89/662/EEC and, as regards pathogens, Directive 90/425/EEC (8), as last amended by Commission Decision 96/340/EC (9), lays down the conditions for the importation of animals casings, hides and skins, bones and bone products, horn and horn products, hooves and hoof products, game trophies and unprocessed wool and hair; whereas these products may be imported only if treated in such a way as to destroy the virus; whereas, however, certain other products may still be imported; whereas this material constitutes a risk;
Whereas following a Community mission to Bulgaria it has been established that disease control measures have been effectively implemented and prevent the spread of the disease;
Whereas it is possible to apply the principle of regionalization;
Whereas with the aim of clarity, Decision 96/643/EC can be repealed;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,