Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 92/119/EEC of 17 December 1992 introducing general Community measures for the control of certain animal diseases and specific measures relating to swine vesicular disease^f1, and in particular the second indent of Article 15 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

In accordance with Article 15 of Directive 92/119/EEC, specific measures to control and eradicate bluetongue should be introduced.

The epidemiological characteristics of bluetongue are comparable to those of African horse sickness.

The Council has adopted Directive 92/35/EEC laying down control rules and measures to combat African horse sickness^f2.

To combat bluetongue, therefore, the overall measures laid down by Directive 92/35/EEC to combat African horse sickness should be used as a model, making appropriate adjustments due to the characteristics of the rearing of species susceptible to bluetongue.

Rules should be laid down on the movement of susceptible species and their semen, ova and embryos from areas subject to restrictions arising from an outbreak of the disease.

Article 3 of Council Decision 90/424/EEC of 26 June 1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field^f3, applies in the event of an outbreak of bluetongue.

A procedure for close cooperation between the Member States and the Commission must be introduced,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: