89/8/EEC: Commission Decision of 14 December 1988 amending Decision 79/542/EEC as regards imports of fresh meat of wild cloven-hoofed animals from Botswana, South Africa/Namibia and Swaziland

COMMISSION  DECISION
of 14 December 1988
amending Decision 79/542/EEC as regards imports of fresh meat of wild cloven-hoofed animals from Botswana, South Africa/Namibia and Swaziland
(89/8/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 amended by Directive 88/289/EEC (2), and in particular Articles 1 (1) and 3 thereof,
Whereas Council Decision 79/542/EEC, (3), as last amended by Commission Decision 86/425/EEC (4), lists the third countries from which Member States authorize imports of bovine animals, swine and fresh meat;
Whereas the present list should be amended by the Commission in the light of the situation obtaining with regard to animal health in the various countries or parts thereof and in particular in the light of the criteria set out in Article 3 (2) of Directive 72/462/EEC;
Whereas Member States are authorized to import fresh meat of wild cloven-hoofed animals from, inter alia, certain African countries;
Whereas, however, the presence of exotic foot-and-mouth disease or the practice of vaccination against that disease in those countries may constitute a danger to Community livestock;
Whereas, the animal health requirements of Member States pursuant to Article 16 of Directive 72/462/EEC relating to imports of fresh meat of wild cloven-hoofed animals from Botswana, South-Africa/Namibia and Swaziland have not yet been laid down at Community level; whereas, pending the entry into force of such requirements, Member States may continue to apply their national animal health rules to such imports;
Whereas, in order to avoid that danger while respecting the traditional pattern of trade between the Community and those countries, imports of fresh bone-in meat and offal of wild cloven-hoofed animals from those countries should be prohibited;
Whereas, so as not to prejudice the contracts relating to this hunting season it is preferable to defer the application of this Decision until 1 January 1989;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,