1999/541/EC: Commission Decision of 26 July 1999 concerning the importation of sheep and goats from Bulgaria and amending Commission Decision 97/232/EC (notified under document number C(1999) 2433) (Text with EEA relevance)

COMMISSION DECISION
of 26 July 1999
concerning the importation of sheep and goats from Bulgaria and amending Commission Decision 97/232/EC
(notified under document number C(1999) 2433)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(1999/541/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 products from third countries(1), as last amended by Directive 97/79/EC(2) and in particular Articles 3, 6 and 7 thereof,
(1) Whereas Council Directive 91/68/EEC(3), as last amended by the Act of Accession for Austria, Finland and Sweden, lays down animal health conditions governing intra-community trade in ovine and caprine animals;
(2) Whereas Commission Decision 93/198/EEC(4), as last amended by Decision 97/231/EC(5), lays down the animal health conditions and veterinary certification for imports of domestic ovine and caprine animals;
(3) Whereas Commission Decision 97/232/EC(6) draws up a list of third countries from which the Member States authorise imports of sheep and goats;
(4) Whereas these lists can be amended at any time to take into account new information or new situations;
(5) Whereas, following a recent Commission veterinary mission, it appears that the Bulgarian veterinary services control satisfactorily the whole country;
(6) Whereas no cases of sheep pox have been recorded in Bulgaria since September 1996;
(7) Whereas the country has been free from foot and mouth disease for the last two years;
(8) Whereas it is possible to authorise the imports of domestic ovine and caprine animals for immediate slaughter without risk of spreading these diseases;
(9) Whereas it is considered necessary to keep the restriction at the import of live ovine and caprine animals for the twenty-kilometre-wide corridor along the border with Turkey;
(10) Whereas Decision 97/232/EC should be amended accordingly;
(11) Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,