Commission Decision
of 8 May 2003
amending Decision 2003/289/EC concerning protection measures in relation to avian influenza in Belgium
(notified under document number C(2003) 1555)
(Only the French and Dutch texts are authentic)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2003/317/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products with a view to the completion of the internal market(1), as last amended by Directive 2002/33/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(2), and, in particular, Article 10 thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 89/662/EEC of 11 December 1989 concerning veterinary checks in intra-Community trade with a view to the completion of the internal market(3), as last amended by Directive 92/118/EEC(4), in particular Article 9 thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 2002/99/EC of 16 December 2002 laying down the animal health rules governing the production, processing, distribution and introduction of products of animal origin for human consumption(5), and in particular Article 4(1) and (3) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) On 16 April 2003 the veterinary authorities of Belgium have informed the Commission about a strong suspicion of avian influenza in the province of Limburg, which was subsequently officially confirmed.
(2) The Belgian authorities have immediately, before the official confirmation of the disease, implemented the measures foreseen in Council Directive 92/40/EEC(6) introducing Community measures for the control of avian influenza.
(3) For the sake of clarity and transparency the Commission after consultation with the Belgian authorities, has taken Decision 2003/275/EC(7) of 16 April 2003 concerning protection measures in relation to strong suspicion of avian influenza in Belgium, which has been subsequently replaced by Decision 2003/289/EC(8), thereby reinforcing the measures taken by Belgium.
(4) The measures laid down in Decision 2003/289/EC should be prolonged and adapted in the light of the evolution of the disease.
(5) The other Member States have already adjusted the measures they apply to trade, and they are sufficiently informed by the Commission, and in particular in the context of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health on the appropriate period for their implementation.
(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,
Decision 2003/289/EC is amended as follows:
1. In Article 1(3)(b) the words "or shed" are inserted after the word "holding".
2. In Article 8 the time and date "until 24.00 on 12 May 2003" are replaced by "until 24.00 on 16 May 2003."
3. The following Article 8a is added:
"Article 8a
Belgium shall amend the measures which it applies to trade so as to bring them into compliance with this Decision and shall give immediate appropriate publicity to the measures adopted. It shall immediately inform the Commission thereof."
4. The text in the Annex is replaced by the text in the Annex to this Decision.
This Decision is addressed to the Kingdom of Belgium.