Introductory text

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^f1, and in particular Article 10(4) thereof,

Whereas:

In response to outbreaks of classical swine fever in certain Member States, Commission Decision 2003/526/EC of 18 July 2003 concerning protection measures relating to classical swine fever in certain Member States^f2 was adopted. That Decision established certain additional disease control measures concerning that disease.

The classical swine fever situation in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, has significantly improved. Therefore, the measures adopted by Decision 2003/526/EC in relation with North Rhine-Westphalia should no longer apply.

In Slovakia, a case of classical swine fever has recently been detected in feral pigs in the district of Veľký Krtíš, which previously was not concerned by the disease. Therefore, Decision 2003/526/EC should be amended to take account of the epidemiology situation in that Member State.

In the light of the overall disease situation in France, Germany and Luxembourg by classical swine fever, it is appropriate to extend the validity of Decision 2003/526/EC.

Decision 2003/526/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

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: