Document ID: 31999D0241

COMMISSION DECISION
of 31 March 1999
on certain protection measures with regard to equidae coming from Australia
(notified under document number C(1999) 786)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(1999/241/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries and amending Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675/EEC(1), as last amended by Directive 96/43/EC(2), and in particular Article 18(1) thereof,
(1) Whereas a fatal case of Hendra disease (Equine morbillivirus) has been declared in a horse in Queensland, Australia; whereas the infection may be transmitted to human and fatality in human has been reported;
(2) Whereas the presence of this disease in certain parts of Australia is liable to constitute a serious danger for Community equidae;
(3) Whereas it is necessary to adopt rapidly protection measures at Community level with regard to imports of equidae from Australia;
(4) Whereas pending further information from the Australian authorities, notably the geographical distribution of the disease, supplementary conditions should be applied for the temporary admission of registered horses, the re-entry after temporary export of registered horses, and the importation of equidae from Australia,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
1. A supplementary certificate signed by the Australian central competent veterinary authorities shall be required for the temporary admission of registered horses, the re-admission after temporary export of registered horses, and the import of equidae, coming from Australia.
2. The certificate provided for in paragraph 1 must contain the following guarantees:
- the equidae have not been resident in the State of Queensland (Australia) during the last 30 days,
- the equidae have not been in contact with other equidae which have been resident in the State of Queensland (Australia) during the last 30 days,
- the equidae have not been in direct contact with equidae which have been resident on infected holdings during the last 60 days.
Article 2
Member States shall amend the measures they apply with regard to Australia to bring them into line with this Decision.
They shall inform the Commission thereof.
Article 3
This Decision shall apply until 31 May 1999.
Article 4
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 31 March 1999.

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