Commission Regulation (EC) No 913/97 of 22 May 1997 adopting exceptional support measures for the pigmeat market in Spain

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 913/97 of 22 May 1997 adopting exceptional support measures for the pigmeat market in Spain
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2759/75 of 29 October 1975 on the common organization of the market in pigmeat (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 3290/94 (2), and in particular Article 20 and the second paragraph of Article 22 thereof,
Whereas, because of the outbreak of classical swine fever in certain production regions in Spain, protection and surveillance zones have been established by the Spanish authorities pursuant to Article 9 of Council Directive 80/217/EEC of 22 January 1980 introducing Community measures for the control of classical swine fever (3), as last amended by Directive 93/384/EEC (4); whereas, consequently, in those zones trade in live pigs, fresh pigmeat and pigmeat products which have not been subjected to heat treatment is temporarily prohibited;
Whereas restrictions on the free movement of goods resulting from the application of veterinary measures are likely to bring about a serious disturbance of the pigmeat market in Spain; whereas exceptional market support measures, to apply for no longer than is strictly necessary, must accordingly be adopted with respect solely to live animals from the directly affected areas;
Whereas, with the aim of preventing a further spread of the disease, the pigs produced in the said zones should be separated from normal trade in products intended for human consumption and processed into products intended for uses other than human consumption, in accordance with Article 3 of Council Directive 90/667/EEC (5), as amended by Directive 92/118/EEC (6);
Whereas it is appropriate to grant aid for the delivery to the competent authorities of pigs for fattening and piglets coming from the affected zones;
Whereas in view of the extent of the disease and, in particular, of its duration, and consequently of the magnitude of the efforts needed to support the market, it is appropriate for the costs to be shared by the Community and the Member State concerned;
Whereas provision should be made for the Spanish authorities to adopt all necessary control and surveillance measures and to inform the Commission accordingly;
Whereas the restrictions on the free movement of live pigs have been operative for several weeks in the zones in question, resulting in a substantial increase in the weight of the animals and consequently an intolerable situation as regards the welfare of the animals; whereas application of this Regulation from 6 May 1997 is therefore justified;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Pigmeat,