Council Directive 98/45/EC of 24 June 1998 amending Directive 91/67/EEC concerning the animal health conditions governing the placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 98/45/EC of 24 June 1998 amending Directive 91/67/EEC concerning the animal health conditions governing the placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas Directive 91/67/EEC (4) laid down the Community rules governing the placing on the market of aquaculture animals for the purpose, in particular, of avoiding the spread of certain serious diseases;
Whereas the diseases set out in list III of Annex A of the said Directive, including gyrodactylosis, can have serious economic repercussions if they break out in a region which was previously disease free;
Whereas consequently it is necessary to prevent the spread of the said diseases by strengthening the provisions currently applied;
Whereas it is necessary to ensure that the placing on the market of fish from a non-approved zone does not prejudice the health status of non-infected farms situated in a non-approved zone; whereas this can be achieved through certification of consignments intended for intra-Community trade;
Whereas it is necessary to adapt certain provisions as regards the frequency of inspections and sampling and testing requirements for fish diseases to international standards,