1999/241/EC: Commission Decision of 31 March 1999 on certain protection measures with regard to equidae coming from Australia (notified under document number C(1999) 786) (Text with EEA relevance)

COMMISSION DECISION
of 31 March 1999
on certain protection measures with regard to equidae coming from Australia
(notified under document number C(1999) 786)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(1999/241/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries and amending Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675/EEC(1), as last amended by Directive 96/43/EC(2), and in particular Article 18(1) thereof,
(1) Whereas a fatal case of Hendra disease (Equine morbillivirus) has been declared in a horse in Queensland, Australia; whereas the infection may be transmitted to human and fatality in human has been reported;
(2) Whereas the presence of this disease in certain parts of Australia is liable to constitute a serious danger for Community equidae;
(3) Whereas it is necessary to adopt rapidly protection measures at Community level with regard to imports of equidae from Australia;
(4) Whereas pending further information from the Australian authorities, notably the geographical distribution of the disease, supplementary conditions should be applied for the temporary admission of registered horses, the re-entry after temporary export of registered horses, and the importation of equidae from Australia,