1999/839/EC: Commission Decision of 6 December 1999 on certain protection measures with regard to equidae coming from the United States of America and repealing Decision 1999/707/EC (notified under document number C(1999) 4066) (Text with EEA relevance)

COMMISSION DECISION
of 6 December 1999
on certain protection measures with regard to equidae coming from the United States of America and repealing Decision 1999/707/EC
(notified under document number C(1999) 4066)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(1999/839/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries and amending Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675/EEC(1), as last amended by Directive 96/43/EC(2), and in particular Article 18(7) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) In the United States of America cases of West Nile fever, a non-contagious vector-transmitted viral disease, have been reported in humans and horses in the State of New York. The virus or virus genome was confirmed in birds and/or vector insects in New York City and certain counties of the States New York, Connecticut and New Jersey;
(2) The presence of this disease is liable to constitute a danger for humans and Community equidae;
(3) By Decision 1999/707/EC(3) the Commission adopted protection measures at Community level with regard to importation of equidae from the United States of America;
(4) According to the epidemiological information from the American authorities, supplementary conditions should be applied on a regional basis for the temporary admission of registered horses, the re-entry after temporary export of registered horses, permanent imports and transit of equidae from the United States of America;
(5) For procedural reasons and in order to adapt the measures to the current epidemiological situation, it is necessary to repeal Decision 1999/707/EC on certain protection measures with regard to equidae coming from the United States of America;
(6) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,