Document ID: 32003D0466

Commission Decision
of 13 June 2003
establishing criteria for zoning and official surveillance following suspicion or confirmation of the presence of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA)
(notified under document number C(2003) 1831)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2003/466/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 91/67/EEC of 28 January 1991 concerning the animal health conditions governing the placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products(1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 806/2003(2), and in particular Article 15 thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 93/53/EC of 24 June 1993 introducing minimum Community measures for the control of certain fish diseases(3), as last amended by Commission Decision 2001/288/EC(4), and in particular Article 5(2) and Article 6 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Directive 93/53/EEC establishes that sampling and laboratory testing for the presence of list I and list II diseases (which are referred to in Annex A to Directive 91/67/EEC) shall be carried out using the methods established in accordance with Article 15 of Directive 91/67/EEC.
(2) The sampling plans and diagnostic methods for the detection and confirmation of the list II fish diseases, viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) and infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN) are laid down by Commission Decision 2001/183/EC(5).
(3) According to Article 5(2) and Article 6 of Directive 93/53/EEC, all farms situated in the same water catchment area or coastal area in which a farm suspected or confirmed infected with infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) virus is situated, shall be placed under official surveillance. The criteria for zoning and official surveillance should be established.
(4) In order to define the sampling plans and diagnostic methods for the detection and confirmation of ISA, and to establish the criteria for zoning and official surveillance following suspicion or confirmation of ISA, fish health and laboratory experts have been consulted. Furthermore, the guidelines for the diagnosis of ISA laid down in the current edition of the Diagnostic manual for aquatic animal diseases of the International Office for Epizooties (OIE) must be taken into account.
(5) A sufficient period of time should be provided for the implementation of these new requirements.
(6) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The sampling plans and diagnostic methods for the detection and confirmation of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA), as well as the criteria for zoning and official surveillance following suspicion or confirmation of ISA, are laid down in the Annex to this Decision.
Article 2
This Decision shall apply from 23 October 2003.
Article 3
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 13 June 2003.

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