COMMISSION  DECISION
of 16 July 1990
on health protection measures in respect of imports of fresh meat from Namibia
(90/451/EEC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 72/462/EEC of 12 December 1972 on health and veterinary inspection problems upon importation of bovine animals and swine and fresh meat or meat products from third countries (1), as last amended by Directive 89/662/EEC (2), and in particular Article 15 thereof,
Whereas vaccination against exotic types of foot-and-mouth disease is practised in certain parts of Namibia; whereas these parts are officially designated as control areas;
Whereas these measures have the effect of limiting the risk of introducing this disease when importing fresh meat to the Community; whereas in order further to reduce the risk of foot-and-mouth disease if such imports are authorized, it is appropriate to restrict imports to boned meat of bovine animals and to prohibit imports of offal from certain areas;
Whereas the central veterinary authorities of Namibia have confirmed that rinderpest and exotic foot-and-mouth disease have not occurred in the areas designated for export for at least 12 months and that vaccination against those diseases is not practised in those areas; whereas the Commission and the Member States will be notified within 24 hours, by telex or telegram, of the confirmation of the occurrence of either of the abovementioned diseases, an alteration in the vaccination policy against them or an alteration in the specified control areas for foot-and-mouth disease;
Whereas the animal health requirements of Member States pursuant to Article 16 of Directive 72/462/EEC relating to imports of meat from Namibia have not yet been laid down at Community level; whereas, pending the entry into force of such requirements, the Member States are free to prohibit imports of fresh meat from Namibia;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,
The prohibition provided for in Article 14 (2) (a) of Directive 72/462/EEC shall apply in the case of Namibia for fresh meat of domestic animals of the bovine species (including buffalo), and of sheep and goats to that part of the foot-and-mouth disease control area in Namibia, north of the 'Cordon Fences' which extend from Palgrave Point in the west to Gam in the east.
If a Member State authorizes the import into its own territory of fresh meat from Namibia such authorization shall apply only to the following categories:
1. Boned fresh meat, excluding offals, of domestic animals of the bovine species (including buffalo) originating and slaughtered in Namibia elsewhere than in the areas referred to in Article 1, which satisfies the requirements of the specimen animal health certificate in accordance with Annex A hereto which must accompany the consignment. Such boned fresh meat shall not enter the territory of the importing Member State for at least 21 days from the date of slaughter.
2. Offal of domestic animals of the bovine species (including buffalo) originating and slaughtered in Namibia elsewhere than in the areas referred to in Article 1, which satisfies the requirements of the specimen animal health certificate in accordance with Annex B hereto which must accompany the consignment. Such offal shall not enter the territory of the importing Member State for at least 21 days from the date of slaughter.
3. Fresh meat, boned or not, including offals, of domestic solipeds originating in Namibia and slaughtered therein, which satisfies the requirements of the specimen animal health certificate in accordance with Annex C hereto which must accompany the consignment.
This Decision shall apply from 30 June 1990.
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.