2003/111/EC: Commission Decision of 18 February 2003 amending Decision 97/232/EC drawing up lists of third countries from which the Member States authorise imports of sheep and goats (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2003) 508)

Commission Decision
of 18 February 2003
amending Decision 97/232/EC drawing up lists of third countries from which the Member States authorise imports of sheep and goats
(notified under document number C(2003) 508)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2003/111/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 and meat products from third countries(1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1452/2001(2), and in particular Article 3(1) and Article 8 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Council Directive 91/68/EEC(3), as last amended by Commission Decision 2001/10/EC(4), lays down the animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade in ovine and caprine animals.
(2) Commission Decision 97/232/EC(5), as last amended by Decision 2002/3/EC(6), draws up lists of third countries from which Member States authorise imports of sheep and goats.
(3) In Hungary Brucellosis melitensis has been a notifiable disease for at least five years, no case has been officially confirmed for at least five years and vaccination has been banned for at least three years; therefore this country complies with the requirements laid down in Annex A, Chapter 1(II)(1)(b), to Directive 91/68/EEC.
(4) Furthermore Hungary undertakes to comply with Annex A, Chapter 1(II)(2), to Directive 91/68/EEC and therefore sheep and goats introduced onto holdings in Hungary must comply with the conditions laid down in Annex A, Chapter 1(I)(D), to Directive 91/68/EEC.
(5) Hungary therefore satisfies the conditions to be recognised as officially free of Brucellosis melitensis and Decision 97/232/EC must be amended accordingly.
(6) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,