Introductory text
United Kingdom
Commission Implementing Decision
of 5 August 2013
on measures to prevent the introduction into the Union of the African swine fever virus from certain third countries or parts of the territory of third countries in which the presence of that disease is confirmed and repealing Decision 2011/78/EU
(notified under document C(2013) 4951)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2013/426/EU)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Directive 97/78/EC of 18 December 1997 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countriesf1, and in particular Article 22(6) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
African swine fever is a highly contagious and fatal virus infection of domestic pigs and wild boar, with the potential for rapid spread, notably through products obtained from infected animals and contaminated inanimated objects.
(2)
Since the presence of African swine fever was confirmed in Georgia in 2007, Russia has been reporting numerous outbreaks of that disease in pigs and wild boar throughout the European part of its territory. Following the report of an outbreak of African swine fever in the Leningrad region of Russia, bordering Estonia and Finland, Commission Decision 2011/78/EU of 3 February 2011 on certain measures to prevent the trasmission of the African swine fever virus from Russia to the Unionf2 was adopted, laying down provisions to prevent the introduction of that disease into the Union.
(3)
In accordance with Article 4 of Council Directive 2004/68/EC of 26 April 2004 laying down animal health rules for the importation into and transit through the Community of certain live ungulate animals, amending Directives 90/426/EEC and 92/65/EEC and repealing Directive 72/462/EECf3 and Article 3 of 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 consumptionf4, imports of pigs and pig meat products from third countries or parts of the territory of third countries where the presence of African swine fever is confirmed is not authorised.
(4)
The measures laid down in Decision 2011/78/EU ensure that vehicles which have transported pigs and which enter the Union from infected areas are appropriately cleansed and disinfected. Those measures take into account the risk of spread of the disease considering transmission paths and virus survival in the environment.
(5)
In June 2013, Belarus reported the confirmation of an outbreak of African swine fever in backyard pigs in the region of Grodno, close to the border with Lithuania and Poland. Considering the vicinity of that region with the Union, there is a high risk of introduction of African swine fever into the Union territory. The measures laid down in Decision 2011/78/EU should therefore also apply with regard to vehicles which enter the Union from Belarus.
(6)
In particular, it is appropriate to ensure that all vehicles which have transported live animals and feed and which enter the Union from infected areas are appropriately cleansed and disinfected, and that such cleansing and disinfection is properly documented.
(7)
The transporter should ensure that for each vehicle used for the transport of animals or feed a register containing information on cleansing and disinfection is retained for a minimum period of three years.
(8)
In the interest of clarity and simplification of Union legislation, Decision 2011/78/EU should be repealed and replaced by this Decision.
(9)
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: