78/642/EEC: Council Decision of 25 July 1978 on health protection measures in respect of the Republic of Botswana

COUNCIL DECISION  of 25 July 1978  on health protection measures in respect of the Republic of Botswana  (78/642/EEC)
THE COUNCIL 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 15 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas outbreaks of exotic foot-and-mouth disease have occurred in certain northern areas of the Republic of Botswana ; whereas, however, other parts of the country have been free of the disease for a number of years;
Whereas strict measures, in particular the prohibition of movements of livestock from contaminated regions to disease-free areas, are applied in the country ; whereas the contaminated regions are clearly demarcated and separated from the disease-free areas ; whereas measures are applied throughout the country to monitor the movements of livestock and to detect any outbreak of the disease;
Whereas contaminated regions and adjacent areas must not be allowed to export fresh meat to Member States ; whereas, having regard to the present location of the disease, to the measures adopted by the authorities of the Republic of Botswana against the disease and to the information obtained by Community veterinary experts sent to inquire into the organization of veterinary services and animal health controls, the country may be authorized to export to the Community fresh meat obtained from animals originating in regions which have been free of foot-and-mouth disease for a number of years;
Whereas the animal health requirements of Member States pursuant to Article 16 of Directive 72/462/EEC relating to imports of meat from Botswana have not yet been laid down at Community level and enter into force only two years after their adoption ; whereas, pending the entry into force of such requirements, the Member States are free to prohibit imports of fresh meat from Botswana;
Whereas, since the Standing Veterinary Committee has not given its assent, the Commission is unable to adopt the provisions which it had envisaged on this matter under the procedure provided for in Article 29 of Directive 72/462/EEC,