1999/283/EC: Commission Decision of 12 April 1999 concerning the animal health conditions and veterinary certification for imports of fresh meat from certain African countries - (notified under document number C(1999) 873) - (Text with EEA relevance)

COMMISSION DECISION
of 12 April 1999
concerning the animal health conditions and veterinary certification for imports of fresh meat from certain African countries
(notified under document number C(1999) 873)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(1999/283/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 72/462/EEC of 12 December 1972 on health and veterinary inspection problems upon importation of bovine, ovine and caprine animals and swine, fresh meat or meat products from third countries(1), as last amended by Directive 97/79/EC(2), and in particular Articles 14, 15 and 16,
(1) Whereas the animal health conditions and veterinary certification for imports of fresh meat from Botswana, Madagascar, Morocco, Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa and Zimbabwe were established by Commission Decisions 92/22/EEC(3), 90/156/EEC(4), 84/295/EEC(5), 92/24/EEC(6), 92/23/EEC(7), 92/21/EEC(8) and 92/25/EEC(9);
(2) Whereas, with a view to the internal market, numerous health measures have been established in the framework of trade inside the Community; whereas the realisation of this objective necessitates, in parallel, an adaptation of the health conditions required for importation of fresh meat from third countries particularly from certain African countries;
(3) Whereas this adaptation must take into account the different epidemiological situations in the African countries concerned, and indeed in the different parts of their territories; whereas, given the existence of identical health situations between the various parts of those different countries, it is necessary to take account of this fact in establishing a new system of health guarantees;
(4) Whereas, as a result, it is appropriate to establish different health certificates in accordance with the conditions required for the importation of fresh meat from those different categories of countries or parts of countries;
(5) Whereas outbreaks of African swine fever are reported from time to time in these countries and therefore imports into the European Community of pigmeat cannot be authorised;
(6) Whereas as an interim step prior to an in depth analysis concerning the possibility to authorise bone-in meat from certain OIE free regions and, in order to clarify and simplify the Community legislation, it is necessary to group together the health conditions required for imports of fresh meat from the African countries concerned and to repeal the decisions in force for those countries;
(7) Whereas stricter health conditions have been established for offal destined for human consumption; whereas, moreover, the health conditions established apply without prejudice to the health conditions established by Council Directive 92/118/EEC(10), as last amended by Directive 97/79/EC, and Commission Decision 89/18/EEC of 22 December 1988 concerning importations from third countries of fresh meat destined for purposes other than human consumption(11);
(8) Whereas having regard to the epidemiological features of foot-and-mouth disease of the ovine and caprines, special guarantees must be required as regards imports of meat of those species;
(9) Whereas, in addition, the responsible veterinary authorities of the concerned countries must confirm that their countries or regions have for at least 12 months been free from rinderpest, and foot-and-mouth disease;
(10) Whereas the responsible authorities of the concerned countries must undertake to notify the Commission and the Member States within 24 hours, by fax, telex or telegram of the confirmation of the occurrence of any of the abovementioned diseases or an alteration in the vaccination policy against them;
(11) Whereas other health conditions must be established for meat not intended for human consumption in accordance with the provisions of Directive 92/118/EEC and Decision 89/18/EEC;
(12) Whereas animal health conditions and veterinary certification must be adapted according to the animal health situation of the third country or part of third country concerned;
(13) Whereas Council Directive 96/93/EC(12) lays down standards of certification which are necessary for valid certification and to prevent fraud. Whereas it is appropriate to ensure that the rules and principles applied by third-country certifying officers provide guarantees which are at least equivalent to those laid down in this Directive;
(14) Whereas Council Directive 93/119/EC(13) requires that the veterinary health certificate accompanying meat to be imported from third countries to the European Community must be supplemented by an attestation certifying that the animals have been slaughtered under conditions which offer guarantees of humane treatment at least equivalent to the relevant provisions in the Directive;
(15) Whereas considering that a new certification regime is hereby established, a period of time should be provided for its implementation;
(16) Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,