92/188/EEC: Commission Decision of 10 March 1992 concerning certain protection measures relating to the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS)

COMMISSION DECISION  of 10 March 1992  concerning certain protection measures relating to the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS)  (92/188/EEC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products with a view to the completion of the internal market (1), as last  amended by Directive 91/628/EEC (2), and in particular Article 10 (4) thereof,
Whereas several disease outbreaks caused by a virus that has not yet been classified have occurred in pigs in certain parts of the Community;
Whereas the disease, which has been named the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) results in unusual numbers of abortions or premature farrowing in sows and deaths and weakness in young piglets which cannot otherwise be attributed to a  known pig disease for which laboratory diagnostic tests are easily available;
Whereas the disease has the potential for rapid spread within areas with a high density of pigs;
Whereas the disease may constitute a hazard to pig production;
Whereas, as a result of outbreaks of the disease in question, the Commission adopted Decision 91/237/EEC of 25 April 1991 concerning further protection measures relating to a new pig disease (3), as last amended by Decision 92/104/EEC (4);
Whereas certain areas heavily infected in early 1991 have been without recorded outbreaks for several months;
Whereas it appears necessary to take account of the evolution of the disease and to adopt appropriate measures; whereas in this respect it is necessary to repeal Decision 91/237/EEC;
Whereas the authorities of the Member States have engaged themselves to implement national measures that are necessary to guarantee the efficient implementation of this Decision when pigs are sent to other Member States;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,