Commission Decision
of 12 September 2000
on marking and use of pigmeat in application of Article 9 of Council Directive 80/217/EEC concerning the United Kingdom
(notified under document number C(2000) 2687)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2000/543/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 80/217/EEC of 22 January 1980 introducing Community measures for the control of classical swine fever(1), as last amended by the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden, and in particular Article 9(6)(g) thereof;
Whereas:
(1) In August 2000 outbreaks of classical swine fever in the United Kingdom were declared by the Veterinary Authorities of the United Kingdom.
(2) In accordance with Article 9(1) of Directive 80/217/EEC protection and surveillance zones were immediately established around outbreak sites in Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex.
(3) The results of the epidemiological enquiries suggest that classical swine fever spread between holdings of a certain production cluster.
(4) The provisions for the use of a health mark on fresh meat are given in Council Directive 64/433/EEC on health conditions for the production and marketing of fresh meat(2) as last amended by Directive 95/23/EC(3).
(5) The United Kingdom has submitted a request for the adoption of a specific solution concerning marking and use of pigmeat coming from pigs kept on holdings situated in one surveillance zone established in Norfolk and slaughtered, subject to a specific authorisation issued by the competent authority.
(6) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,
Without prejudice for the provisions of Council Directive 80/217/EEC, in particular, Article 9(6), the United Kingdom is authorised to apply the mark described in Article 3(1)(A)(e) of Council Directive 64/433/EEC to pigmeat obtained from pigs originating from holdings situated in the surveillance zone established in Norfolk following the outbreak confirmed on 9 August 2000 in the district of Old Buckenham in accordance with the provisions of Article 9, paragraph 1 of Council Directive 80/217/EEC on condition that the pigs in question:
(a) originate from a surveillance zone:
- where no outbreaks of classical swine fever have been detected in the previous 21 days and where at least 21 days have elapsed after the completion of the preliminary cleaning and disinfection of the infected holdings,
- established around a protection zone where serological tests for classical swine fever have been carried out in all pig holdings after the detection of classical swine fever, with negative results;
(b) originate from a holding:
- which has been subject to protection measures established in accordance with the provisions of Article 9(6)(f) and (g) of Council Directive 80/217/EEC,
- to which, following the epidemiological inquiry, no contact has been established with an infected holding,
- which has been subject to regular inspections by a veterinarian after the establishment of the zone. The inspection has included all pigs kept on the holding;
(c) have been included in a programme for monitoring body temperature and clinical examination. The programme has been carried out as given in Annex I(3);
(d) have been slaughtered within 12 hours of arrival at the slaughterhouse.
The United Kingdom shall ensure that a certificate as given in Annex II is issued in respect of meat referred to in Article 1.
Pig meat which complies with the conditions of Article 1 and enters into intra-Community trade must be accompanied by the certificate referred to in Article 2.
The United Kingdom shall ensure that abattoirs designated to receive the pigs referred to in Article 1 do not, on the same day, accept pigs for slaughter other than the pigs in question.
The United Kingdom shall provide Member States and the Commission with:
(a) the name and location of slaughterhouses designated to receive pigs for slaughter referred to in Article 1,
(b) a report which contains information on:
- the number of pigs slaughtered at the designated slaughterhouses,
- the identification system and movement controls applied to slaughter pigs, as required in accordance with Article 9(6)(f)(i) of Council Directive 80/217/EEC,
- instructions issued concerning the application of the programme for monitoring body temperature referred to in Annex I.
This Decision is applicable until 30 September 2000.
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.