Introductory text
United Kingdom
Commission Decision
of 22 March 2010
amending Annex I to Decision 2009/177/EC as regards surveillance programmes for Ireland and Hungary and the disease-free status of Ireland for certain aquatic animal diseases
(notified under document C(2010) 1625)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2010/171/EU)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Directive 2006/88/EC of 24 October 2006 on animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof, and on the prevention and control of certain diseases in aquatic animalsf1, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 44(1) and Article 49(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
Commission Decision 2009/177/EC of 31 October 2008 implementing Council Directive 2006/88/EC as regards surveillance and eradication programmes and disease-free status of Member States, zones and compartmentsf2 sets out a list of Member States, zones and compartments subject to approved surveillance programmes, with regard to one or more of the non-exotic diseases listed in Part II of Annex IV to Directive 2006/88/EC (non-exotic diseases). Decision 2009/177/EC also sets out a list of Member States, zones and compartments declared disease-free with regard to one or more of those diseases.
(2)
Part A of Annex I to Decision 2009/177/EC sets out the list of Member States, zones and compartments subject to approved surveillance programmes and Part C of that Annex sets out the list of Member States, zones and compartments declared disease-free with regard to one or more non-exotic diseases.
(3)
Ireland and Hungary have submitted to the Commission applications for the approval of multiannual surveillance programmes as regards Koi herpes virus (KHV) disease. Those programmes comply with the requirements for approval laid down in Directive 2006/88/EC and Decision 2009/177/EC. Accordingly, they should be approved and included in the list in Part A of Annex I to Decision 2009/177/EC.
(4)
The whole territory of Ireland, except Cape Clear Island, is currently listed in Part C of Annex I to Decision 2009/177/EC as declared disease-free for viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS). Ireland has notified to the Commission a declaration of freedom from that disease for Cape Clear Island. That declaration was added to the agenda of the meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal health on 12 January 2010. The declaration complies with the requirements for a declaration of freedom of disease laid down in Directive 2006/88/EC and Decision 2009/177/EC. Accordingly, the whole territory of Ireland should be declared free of VHS. Part C of Annex I to Decision 2009/177/EC should be amended accordingly.
(5)
Decision 2009/177/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.
(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: