2001/303/EC: Commission Decision of 11 April 2001 laying down the conditions for the control and eradication of foot-and-mouth disease in endangered species in application of Article 13 of Directive 85/511/EEC (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2001) 1107)

Commission Decision
of 11 April 2001
laying down the conditions for the control and eradication of foot-and-mouth disease in endangered species in application of Article 13 of Directive 85/511/EEC
(notified under document number C(2001) 1107)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2001/303/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products with a view to the completion of the internal market(1), as last amended by Directive 92/118/EEC(2), and in particular Article 10 thereof,
Having regard to Directive 85/511/EEC of 18 November 1985 introducing Community measures for the control of foot-and-mouth disease(3), as last amended by the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden, and in particular Article 13 (3) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) In Article 13 (3) of Council Directive 85/511/EEC provisions are made for emergency vaccination.
(2) The principles provided for in this Article require to balance the decision on resorting to vaccination against basic Community interests which must not be endangered.
(3) Following the reports of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands and Ireland, the Commission adopted Decisions 2001/172/EC(4), 2001/208/EC(5), 2001/223/EC(6) and 2001/234/EC(7) concerning certain protection measures with regard to foot-and-mouth disease in the respective Member State.
(4) Commission Decision 2001/246/EC(8) of 27 March 2001 laying down the conditions for the control and eradication of foot-and-mouth disease in the Netherlands in application of Article 13 of Directive 85/511/EEC has also been adopted enabling the Netherlands to apply as a precautionary measure the pre-emptive vaccination before killing of susceptible animals in holdings situated in close proximity to infected or suspect holdings, taking into account the epidemiological situation and the high density of susceptible animals in certain parts of the territory.
(5) The killing of endangered species susceptible to foot and mouth disease will be an undesirable loss of genetic material and may even result in the eradication of a species therefore such a valuable part of our global heritage should be protected as far as possible.
(6) Zoological gardens or other well defined approved or registered premises with endangered species at risk must implement good husbandry practice, including all necessary precautions to avoid the possible introduction of foot and mouth virus in their premises.
(7) In accordance with Article 13(3) of Directive 85/511/EEC, where the competent authorities of a Member State believe that the disease may compromise endangered species, or other animals such as extremely rare breeds or animals used for irreplaceable and important research work which may also be included on a case by case basis, it is appropriate to provide that the technical modalities for their emergency vaccination shall be specified under a programme that the Member state may present to the Commission as an additional instrument to protect such animals of susceptible species.
(8) Detailed measures for the use of vaccination, identification, and subsequent control of these animals, must be included in the programme to be submitted.
(9) In its report of 10 March 1999 the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare made recommendations on the strategy for emergency vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease, which must be taken into account(9).
(10) Recourse to any kind of vaccination, even though limited to special categories of animals not primarily concerned by trade, may contribute to jeopardise the foot-and-mouth disease status in terms of international trade not only for the Member State or part of its territory where vaccination is carried out.
(11) The Commission prior to taking a Decision on emergency vaccination must ensure that the measures to be taken include at least those provided for in Article 13 (3) first to sixth indent of Directive 85/511/EEC.
(12) It will be necessary to review the present requirements, and the risks for trade in vaccinated zoo animals in the Scientific Committee and with the "Office International des Epizooties".
(13) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,