81/526/EEC: Commission Decision of 19 June 1981 concerning animal health conditions and veterinary certification for imports of fresh meat from Switzerland

COMMISSION DECISION of 19 June 1981 concerning animal health conditions and veterinary certification for imports of fresh meat from Switzerland (81/526/EEC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 72/462/EEC of 12 December 1972 on health and veterinary inspection problems upon importation of bovine animals and swine and fresh meat from third countries (1), as last amended by Directive 77/98/EEC (2), and in particular Article 16 thereof,
Whereas it is necessary to lay down animal health conditions for imports of fresh meat from Switzerland;
Whereas following a Community veterinary mission it appears that the animal health situation in Switzerland compares favourably with that in most of the Community countries, particularly as regards diseases transmissible through meat;
Whereas, in addition, the responsible veterinary authorities of Switzerland have confirmed that Switzerland has for at least 12 months been free from rinderpest, exotic foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever, classical swine fever, contagious porcine paralysis (Teschen disease) and swine vesicular disease and that no vaccinations have been carried out against those diseases during that time and that no swine vaccinated against classical swine fever are present in Switzerland;
Whereas the responsible veterinary authorities of Switzerland have undertaken to notify the Commission of the European Communities and the Member States, by telex or telegram, within 24 hours, of confirmation of the occurrence of any of the abovementioned diseases or the adoption of vaccination against them;
Whereas the responsible authorities of Switzerland have confirmed that they will ensure that fresh meat of foreign origin will not be stored with meat of Swiss origin intended for export to the Community;
Whereas certain Member States, because of their particular animal health situations concerning foot-and-mouth disease, benefit from special provisions in intra-Community trade and should therefore also be authorized to apply special provisions in respect of imports from third countries ; whereas these measures must be at least as strict as those which the same Member States apply in intra-Community trade;
Whereas it will be necessary to examine this Decision with a view to its adaptation to Community rules concerning the control and eradication of foot-and-mouth disease within the Community;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,