2004/571/EC: Commission Decision of 23 July 2004 on the purchase by the Community of classical swine fever vaccines and the establishment of Community stocks of those vaccines (notified under document number C(2004) 2056)(Text with EEA relevance)

29.7.2004 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 253/20
COMMISSION DECISION
of 23 July 2004
on the purchase by the Community of classical swine fever vaccines and the establishment of Community stocks of those vaccines
(notified under document number C(2004) 2056)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2004/571/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Decision 90/424/EEC of 26 June 1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field (1), and in particular Article 6(2) and Article 8(2) thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 2001/89/EC of 23 October 2001 on Community measures for the control of classical swine fever (2), and in particular Article 18(2) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Classical swine fever is a threat for domestic and feral pigs (wild boar) in the Community.
(2) Outbreaks of classical swine fever in domestic pig holdings can lead to very serious consequences and economic losses in the Community, in particular if they occur in areas with a high density of pigs.
(3) The rules for applying emergency vaccination of domestic and feral pigs and the definition of marker vaccine are laid down in Directive 2001/89/EC.
(4) The Community already has in stock 1 000 000 doses of live attenuated vaccine against classical swine fever.
(5) Pursuant to Commission Decision 2002/106/EC of 1 February 2002 approving a Diagnostic Manual establishing diagnostic procedures, sampling methods and criteria for evaluation of the laboratory tests for the confirmation of classical swine fever (3), a suitable discriminatory test has recently been established to distinguish vaccinated pigs from pigs naturally infected with classical swine fever virus. Use of the marker vaccines already authorised for marketing in the Community can, therefore, be envisaged in the event of emergency vaccination of domestic pigs.
(6) Recent experience regarding the control of classical swine fever in feral pigs in the Community suggests that vaccination of such pigs by means of a vaccine administered via oral baits can be effective.
(7) For the purpose of reinforcing the Community capability to respond to classical swine fever, it is necessary to purchase an adequate number of doses of marker vaccine and of vaccine to be administered via oral baits and to make arrangements for keeping them in stock and having them rapidly available in case of an emergency.
(8) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,