Commission Regulation (EC) No 370/98 of 17 February 1998 adopting exceptional support measures for the market in pigmeat in Germany

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 370/98 of 17 February 1998 adopting exceptional support measures for the market in pigmeat in Germany
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2759/75 of 29 October 1975 on the common organisation of the market in pigmeat (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 3290/94 (2), and in particular Article 20 and the second paragraph of Article 22 thereof,
Whereas, because of the outbreak of classical swine fever in certain production regions in Germany, and in particular in the Land of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the Commission imposed veterinary and trading restrictions in certain areas of the Land by Decision 98/104/EC of 28 January 1998 concerning certain protection measures relating to classical swine fever in Germany (3); whereas, as a result, in those areas the marketing of live pigs and in particular piglets which are in surplus is temporarily banned;
Whereas restrictions on the free movement of goods resulting from the application of veterinary measures are likey to bring about a serious disturbance of the pigmeat market in Germany; whereas exceptional market support measures, to apply for no longer than is strictly necessary, must accordingly be adopted with respect solely to live animals from the affected areas;
Whereas, with the aim of preventing a further spread of the disease, the pigs produced in the said zones should be separated from normal trade in products intended for human consumption and processed into products intended for uses other than human consumption, in accordance with the provisions laid down in Article 3 of Council Directive 90/667/EEC (4), as amended by Directive 92/118/EEC (5);
Whereas it is appropriate to grant aid for the delivery to the competent authorities of piglets coming from the affected zones and to introduce arrangements for fixing the aid on the basis of the weekly market rates for piglets in the new LĂ¤nder;
Whereas in view of the extent of the disease and, in particular, of its duration, and consequently of the magnitude of the efforts needed to support the market, it would be appropriate for expenditure to be shared by the Community and the Member State concerned;
Whereas provision should be made for the German authorities to adopt all necessary control and surveillance measures and to inform the Commission accordingly;
Whereas the rapid application of the exceptional market support measures is one of the best means of combating the spread of classical swine fever; whereas this justifies the application of the measures provided for in this Regulation from 31 January 1998;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Pigmeat,