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SANCO – E.2 (03)D/520944

SUMMARY RECORDOF THE

STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE FOOD CHAIN AND ANIMAL HEALTH(Section Animal health and welfare)

HELD IN BRUSSELS ON 02-03 MARCH 2004

President: Mr. Bernard Van GoethemAll the Member States were present.

1. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE EVOLUTION OF ANIMAL DISEASES IN THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING:

Classical swine fever in the wild boar

The French delegation (Dr. P. Vannier, AFSSA) presented a report on the serological and virological surveillance carried out from October 2003 until February 2004 in the 2 focuses of classical swine fever in the wild boar situated in the north-east of France (Thionville and Vosges).

The results showed some samples positive in the Vosges region (Bas-Rhin), both in the infected and the observation zone, indication that the disease is slowly spreading to the observation zone.

Furthermore, the report provided information on a retrospective analysis of the Vosges-focus (1992-2001) and the first year of the Thionville-focus (2002), highlighting the importance of a serological follow-up versus a virological follow-up.

The Commission informed that Committee that a letter has been sent to the French authorities requesting to submit a specific campaign plan for the eradication of the disease in the Vosges region, considering the evolution of the situation. The programme was received but a scientific opinion on the possibility of using vaccination was still pending. France indicated that AFSSA will be issuing the relevant opinion soon.

The Commission also drew attention to the differences in Member States as regards sampling strategies and the use of laboratory tests (ELISA versus PCR). The Commission’s representative made clear that both are in line with Community legislation, but stressed the need to discuss advantages and disadvantages of both strategies at the next meeting of Community Reference Laboratories to be held in Grange, Ireland.

Germany

The German delegation provided information on the planning of the vaccination of the wild boar population and future measures in the affected areas in Germany.

Germany tabled a request to withdraw the measures in Saarland, considering that that the last case of classical swine fever dated back to June 2002 and the latest vaccination had been carried out during the second quarter of 2003.

Dr. Matthias Kramer presented a “Descriptive epidemiology of the oral immunization against classical swine fever in the German wild boar population”, leading to the following conclusions:

– oral immunization of wild boar is an appropriate method to control CSF, especially in areas with increasing wild boar populations;

– CSF vaccination of affected wild boar should be carried out soon after the first cases, continuously with 2-3 campaigns per year and in areas with sizes of about 2000-5000 km² and as a middle-term measure (at least 2 years after the last confirmed case);

– the efficacy of oral vaccination against CSF can be increased by all measures to reduce the wild boar population (hunting, feed bans, etc.)

– the choice of the control procedure of CSF in wild boar depends strongly on local conditions. Both methods, vaccination of wild boar or control measures without vaccination in certain areas are possible tools for a successful eradication;

– in areas with a high probability of the occurrence of CSF among wild boar, a permanent monitoring and surveillance programme should be launched and maintained.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg presented a summary of the classical swine fever situation in the wild boar providing information as regards the virological and serological evolution covering the period January 2002-February 2003. As regards serological surveillance, the report made the distinction between the period before and after vaccination, indication a clear increase of the seroprevalence.

Slovakia

The Slovak representative gave an overview of the classical swine fever situation in domestic pigs. Seven outbreaks have been recorded between November 2003 and January 2004. Since 7 January 2004, no new outbreaks have been detected.

In the wild boar, 5 cases of CSF have been found in 2004.

The Slovak delegation also provided information on the eradication plan for classical swine fever in the wild boar in 2004.

See also points 12 and 13.

Swine vesicular disease

Portugal

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The Portuguese delegation informed the Committee about an outbreak of swine vesicular disease which occurred in Leiria and had been confirmed on 23/12/2003. A second outbreak was confirmed on 12/01/2004 in Bidoeira de Cima, located in the zone of the first outbreak. Measures were taken in accordance with Community legislation and all the farms situated in the protection and surveillance zones had been put under intensive surveillance.

The protection zone has been reduced due to the results of serological controls.

The origin of the disease still remains unknown. In all the 27 farms with positive serology, the virus isolation was negative.

Bluetongue

France

The French delegation gave an overview of the bluetongue situation in Corsica covering the period 2000-2003.

serotypes Nr. of herds affected

2000 2 49

2001 2 335

2002 --- 90 suspicions, none confirmed

2003 4 16

Three successive vaccination campaigns had been carried out with BT serotype 2 vaccines in 2000, 2001 and 2002. In October 2003, a bivalent vaccine protecting against serotype 2 and 4 was used.

France also indicated that, considering the presence of BT serotype 16 in Sardinia, vaccination against that serotype was being envisaged.

Serological surveillance in the 9 southern coast departments of continental France in being carried out.

Italy

The Italian delegation presented a report on the bluetongue situation in Sardinia. Since 15/04/2003, a total of 3701 outbreaks of different serotypes (1-2-4-9-16) have been recorded, the last one of which had been notified on 05/01/2004. There has been one outbreak in Sicily. Italy also presented the results of the 2003-vaccination campaign, and the geographical distribution of BTV serotypes.

The Commission also pointed out that the preventive use of vaccines to protect against BTV with serotypes not yet present should be discussed.

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2. INFORMATION ON THE DATA BASE FOR CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER IN THE WILD BOAR

Considering the evolution of the classical swine fever situation in the wild boar since 2002 in Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg, and based on Decision 2003/257/EC, a web based database for the surveillance of CSF in the wild boar population was established. The aim of the database was to create the possibility for all participating countries (including the Netherlands) to evaluate the epidemiological situation in the affected regions based on a spirit of co-operation.

Epidemiological data of each shot or dead found wild boar are turned into a single record in the central CSF database. The record set is divided into three parts:

(1) identification and information concerning the single wild boar;

(2) laboratory results;

(3) official judgement with an option to confirm the results by authorities.

The central region database consists of one record for each region and period. A region can be a CSF infected area, surveillance area, monitoring area, vaccination area or a defined epidemiological unit. This record set is also divided into three parts:

(1) identification of the region and period;

(2) estimated number of wild boar and wild boar shot in this region

(3) spatial description of the region for use in a geographical information system (GIS)

The presentation of the above database was made by Dr. M. Kramer (Federal Research Centre for Virus Diseases of Animals, Wusterhausen, Germany)

3. INFORMATION FROM MEMBER STATES ON ERADICATION PROGRAMMES:

Italy: buffalo brucellosis in Campania

The Commission referred back to point 6 of the SCFCAH of 02-03 February 2004.

The Italian delegation announced that following the last SCFCAH, regional authorities in Italy have adopted three decisions in order to abrogate Law 30 of 31/12/2003, pointing out that this law has never been applied.

Italy also presented the eradication programme for buffalo brucellosis (including preliminary prevalence figures) and the set-up of an electronic identification system.

The Commission deemed that the situation was still worrying and suggested to carry out the appropriate animal health measures and stressed the need to have confirmation on the programme implemented during 2004 in order to be able to evaluate the compliance with Community legislation.

Portugal: bovine brucellosis in Algarve

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Postponed.

Portugal: EBL in Azores

Postponed.

4. INFORMATION ON THE AVIAN INFLUENZA SITUATION IN ASIA AND U.S.A. (MP)

The Commission distributed and presented following information in relation to avian influenza:

Report of a Community animal health expert on a mission in Vietnam on avian influenza (SANCO/10136/2004)

Information received on the avian influenza situation in Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand (SANCO/10149/2004)

AI-emergency conference Bangkok, 26-28 February 2004 (SANCO/10151/2004)

Highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N2 in the United States of America (SANCO/10158/2004)

5. INFORMATION ON ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE IN RELATION TO IMPORTS OF EQUIDAE FOR SLAUGHTER FROM ROMANIA (AEF)

Postponed.

6. INFORMATION ON THE ANTIGEN BANK FOR FMD IN BRESCIA (AEF)

The Commission explained that, according to EC legislation on veterinary medicaments, the new FMD-Directive had to include provisions requiring a marketing authorisation in at least one Member State for FMD vaccines administered to food-producing animals under the condition of an emergency vaccination to live.

Part of the marketing authorisation is the “GMP-envelop”, i.e. the uninterrupted control of the license holder over the application of the principles of Good Manufacturing Practice. Article 6 of Council Decision 91/666/EEC establishing the Community antigen bank requires the antigens to be stored under conditions “in accordance with the generally accepted standards for good manufacturing practice”.

Based on Article 8 of Council Decision 91/666/EEC the Commission plans a visit to the premises at the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna in Brescia on 24 February 2004, one of the banks designated under Decision 91/666/EEC, in order to verify whether or not the bank operates in accordance with Decision 91/666/EEC.

Depending on the outcome of the inspection, it is the intention to transfer the antigens as soon as possible to the premises of Merial S.A.S., which are also

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designated by Decision 91/666/EEC, thus allowing the manufacturer of the antigen, and of any vaccines possibly reconstituted from these antigens, to include all antigens of their production under their GMP-envelop as required by the marketing authorisation.

The Commission also informed the Member States about a request from Australia and New Zealand for temporary assistance from the Community in case of emergency vaccination would be introduced to control a possible FMD outbreak. See also point 19.

7. INFORMATION FROM THE MEMBER STATES ON THE STATE OF PLAY IN RELATION TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISION 2003/803/EC ESTABLISHING A MODEL PASSPORT FOR THE INTRA-COMMUNITY MOVEMENTS OF DOGS, CATS AND FERRETS

Postponed.

8. EVOLUTION OF THE SITUATION OF THE WELFARE OF HORSES IN QUARANTINE STATIONS IN ROMANIA. AN EXAMPLE OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE COMPETENT AUTHORITIES AND THE ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANISATIONS (DS)

Postponed.

9. INFORMATION ON THE OUTCOME OF THE OIE GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON ANIMAL WELFARE 23-25 FEBRUARY 2004 (RH)

Postponed.

10. DOCUMENTS FOR INFORMATION / DOCUMENTS POUR INFORMATION

Report of a mission carried out in the Slovak Republic from 19 to 30 January 2004 in order to review the action taken by the competent authorities with regard to the up-grading of certain classes of food processing establishments and associated live animal controls (DG(SANCO)/7165/2004-MR)

Report of a mission carried out in the Czech Republic from 19 to 30 January 2004 in order to review the action taken by the competent authorities with regard to the up-grading of certain classes of food processing establishments and associated live animal controls (DG(SANCO)/7164/2004-MR)

11. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION ON THE EVOLUTION OF ANIMAL DISEASES IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN THIRD COUNTRIES.

The Commission introduced the following proposal for an opinion:

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Draft Commission Decision on certain protection measures with regard to registered horses coming from South Africa (Doc. SANCO/10139/2004)

The purpose of the draft Decision presented was to adopt protection measures at EU level to suspend the temporary admission, transit and imports of horses from South Africa, due to an outbreak of African horse sickness in the surveillance zone for African horse sickness and approximately 40 km from the zone that is defined at EU level as being free of this disease. The South African authorities have already suspended exports and implemented control measures, including vaccination of horses at risk. The measures will be reviewed in the light of further information supplied by the competent authorities and the effect of the measures taken to control the disease.

Unanimous vote in favour.

12. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION AMENDING DECISION 2003/526/EC CONCERNING PROTECTION MEASURES RELATING TO CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER IN BELGIUM, FRANCE, GERMANY, AND LUXEMBOURG (SANCO/10122/2004-REV.2) (AL)

The Member States considered a draft Decision:

– lifting the measures as regards classical swine fever in Belgium, due to the largely improved disease situation;

– extend the measures where the measures apply in the region of Bas-Rhin, France, due to the further spread of the disease;

– extend the validity of the Decision until 31 October 2004 for France, Germany and Luxembourg


13. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION AMENDING DECISION 2003/526/EC CONCERNING PROTECTION MEASURES RELATING TO CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER IN CERTAIN MEMBER STATES TO INCLUDE SLOVAKIA AMONGST THE MEMBER STATES TO WHICH CERTAIN DISEASE CONTROL MEASURES APPLY (SANCO/10125/2004-REV.2) (AL)

In the light of the current situation as regards classical swine fever in the wild boar in Slovakia, the Member States were presented a draft Decision aiming to include this New Member State amongst the member States to which certain disease control measures apply with regards to this disease.


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14. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION APPROVING CERTAIN CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR THE CONTROL OF CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER (SANCO/10048/2004 – REV.2A) (MP) (SEE POINT 28 OF THE SCFCAH OF 02-03/02/2004)

The purpose of the proposal is to approve the contingency plans for the control of classical swine fever submitted by the Member States and the Acceding States.

The vote was postponed.

The Commission made clear that the Member States and Acceding states which have not presented their contingency plans would be excluded from co-financing by the Community

15. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION APPROVING CERTAIN CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR THE CONTROL OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE (SANCO/10049/2004 – REV.2) (MP) (SEE POINT 29 OF THE SCFCAH OF 02-03/02/2004)

The purpose of the proposal is to approve the contingency plans for the control of foot-and-mouth disease submitted by the Member States and the Acceding States.


The Commission made clear that the Member States and Acceding states which have not presented their contingency plans would be excluded from co-financing by the Community.

16. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION APPROVING CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR THE CONTROL OF AVIAN INFLUENZA AND NEWCASTLE DISEASE (DOC. SANCO/10010/2004 – REV.2) (MP) (SEE POINT 30 OF THE SCFCAH OF 02-03/02/2004)

The purpose of the proposal is to approve the contingency plans for the control of avian influenza and Newcastle disease submitted by the Member States and the Acceding States.


The Commission made clear that the Member States and Acceding states which have not presented their contingency plans would be excluded from co-financing by the Community.

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17. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION AMENDING COMMISSION DECISIONS 93/52/EEC, 2001/618/EC AND 2003/467/EC TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE STATUS OF ACCEDING STATES WITH REGARD TO BRUCELLOSIS (B. MELITENSIS), AUJESZKY'S DISEASE, ENZOOTIC BOVINE LEUKOSIS, BOVINE BRUCELLOSIS AND TUBERCULOSIS AND FRANCE AS REGARDS AUJESZKY'S DISEASE (DOC. SANCO/10002/2004) (JPV) (SEE POINT 36 OF THE SCFCAH OF 02-03/02/2004)

The Member States were presented a proposal as a first step in the process of recognition of the status of certain New Member States for certain animal diseases.


18. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION LAYING DOWN STANDARD REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SUBMISSION OF PROGRAMMES OF ERADICATION AND CONTROL OF ANIMAL DISEASES CO-FINANCED BY THE COMMUNITY (DOC. SANCO/10014/2004-REV.1) (JPV)

The Commission explained that Commission Decision 2002/677/EC lays down standard reporting requirements for programmes of eradication and control of animal diseases co-financed by the Community. The purpose of the draft Decision presented was to lay down similar standard requirements for the submission of such eradication and control programmes, intending to improve the approval and assessment of the implementation process.


Spain made the following declaration:

“The Spanish delegation indicates their conformity with the standardisation of the eradication, control and surveillance programmes for animal diseases co-financed by the Community, but provided that it does not mean an administrative obstacle or an excessive load for the competent authorities”

“La delegación española manifiesta su conformidad con la estandarización de los programas sanitarios de erradicación vigilancia y control de enfermedades animales co-financiados por la Comunidad, pero siempre que no supongan un obstáculo administrativo ni una carga excesiva para las autoridades competentes”

19. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION LAYING DOWN THE CONDITIONS FOR THE TEMPORARY ACCESS OF AUSTRALIA TO THE COMMUNITY RESERVES OF ANTIGENS FOR THE FORMULATION OF VACCINES AGAINST FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE (DOC SANCO/10102/2004-REV.3) (AEF)

See also point 6.

Pending the completion of their own arrangements for reserves of foot-and-mouth disease virus antigens, Australia and New Zealand have requested temporary

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assistance from the Community in case emergency vaccination would be introduced to control a possible foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

The purpose of the draft Decision was to grant Australia and New Zealand temporary access to the Community antigen reserves subject to certain conditions.


20. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION RECOGNISING THE SYSTEM OF SURVEILLANCE NETWORKS FOR BOVINE HOLDINGS IMPLEMENTED IN MEMBER STATES OR REGIONS OF MEMBER STATES UNDER DIRECTIVE 64/432/EEC (DOC. SANCO/10108/2004 – REV.2) (HK)

The Member States considered a draft Decision aiming to approve the systems of surveillance networks for bovine holdings implemented in Belgium and France in accordance with Directive 64/432/EEC..


21. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION ON IMPLEMENTING MEASURES AND TRANSITIONAL IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS TO REGULATION (EC) NO 998/ 2003 (DOC. SANCO/10119/2004-REV.3) (JF)

The purpose of the draft Decision presented was to facilitate transition to the arrangements of Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 establishing veterinary conditions applying to non-commercial movements of pet dogs, cats and ferrets, by:

– considering certificates issued before the date of application of the above Regulation as valid until their expiry date if they comply with the conditions established by that Regulation;

– maintaining during this transitional period the national conditions applicable to the acceptance of rabies certification for the United Kingdom, Ireland and Sweden.

– recognising as valid antibody titrations performed on the ground of national provisions which were applicable before the adoption of Decision 2001/296/EC;

– recognising as valid the model passport established by Decision 2003/803/EC for non-commercial movements of animals of those species from third countries listed in Section 2 of Part B of Annex II of the above Regulation as an alternative to the certificates in force for movements from third countries.


The Commission issued the following statement:

“This Decision permits veterinarians in Member States to continue to issue certificates previously agreed with the UK demonstrating that an animal, accompanied by rabies certification meeting the criteria outlined in Article 1 of the

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Decision, meets the requirements of Article 16 of Regulation 998/2003, and permits the UK to recognise these certificates.”

22. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION ESTABLISHING A PROVISIONAL LIST OF THIRD COUNTRIES FOR THE MOVEMENT OF PET ANIMALS PURSUANT TO REGULATION (EC) NO 998/ 2003 (DOC. SANCO/10079/2004-REV.5) (JF)

The Member States considered a draft Decision aiming to establish a provisional list of third countries from with movements of pet animals into the Community are allowed, under certain conditions. The list includes third countries which are free of rabies and countries in respect of which the risk of rabies entering the Community as a result of movements from their territories has been found to be no higher than the risk associated with movements between Member States.


23. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION CONCERNING THE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION BY THE COMMUNITY TOWARDS THE OIE CONFERENCE ON RABIES IN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA (DOC. SANCO/10030/2004-REV.1) (JF)

The purpose of the proposal was to grant a financial contribution of the Community towards publication and dissemination of technical and scientific materials related to the OIE conference on rabies in Europe and Central Asia in December 2004.


24. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION AMENDING COUNCIL DECISION 79/542/EEC AND LAYING DOWN THE ANIMAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND VETERINARY CERTIFICATION FOR CERTAIN PRODUCTS TRANSITING OR BEING TEMPORARILY STORED IN THE COMMUNITY (DOC. SANCO/10724/2003 REV.7) (HLB) (SEE POINT 34 OF THE SCFCAH OF 02-03/02/2004)

The purpose of the draft Decision is to ensure that all consignments transiting via the Community follow the EC animal health rules and to lay down specific derogations under special control rules for consignments moving between Russia due to the geographical situation of Kaliningrad and taking into account climatic problems impeding the use of some ports at certain times of the year. It was proposed to amend the Annexes to Council Decision 79/542/EEC accordingly.


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25. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION AMENDING COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2002/99/EC (DOC. SANCO/10825/2003-REV.1) (HLB) (SEE POINT 35 OF THE SCFCAH OF 02-03/02/2004)

Postponed.

26. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION CONCERNING SPECIFIC ANIMAL HEALTH CONDITIONS FOR IMPORTATION OF CERTAIN ANIMALS FROM SAINT PIERRE AND MIQUELON AND AMENDING DECISION 79/542/EEC (DOC. SANCO/10070/2002-REV.8) (PB) (SEE POINT 14 OF THE SCFCAH OF 02-03/02/2004)

The purpose of the proposal was to allow imports of certain live animals from third countries via Saint Pierre and Miquelon and to establish special animal health conditions for such imports.


27. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION LAYING DOWN THE CODIFIED FORM AND THE CODES FOR THE NOTIFICATION OF ANIMAL DISEASES PURSUANT TO COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 82/894/EEC (SANCO/10043/2003) (AB) (SEE POINT 33 OF THE SCFCAH OF 02-03/02/2004)

The aim of the draft Decision is to

formally add the Acceding States to Annex IV and Annex V of Commission Decision 2000/807/EC laying down the codified form and the codes for the notification of animal diseases pursuant to Directive 82/894/EEC.

adjust the codes for some of the regions in Greece to bring them into line with the codification of their national bovine database.

include maps for the different countries to the Decision, to clarify the information.

add to the list of diseases in Annex V to Decision 2000/807/EC certain equine diseases and diseases of bees which have recently been added to Annex I of Council Directive 82/894/EEC.

It was proposed to consolidate and update Decision 2000/807/EC and to lay down a new Decision accordingly.


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28. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION REGULATION LAYING DOWN MEASURES WITH REGARD TO IMPORTS OF PRODUCTS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN FOR PERSONAL CONSUMPTION (DOC. SANCO/10814/2004-REV.9) (HN) (SEE POINT 15 OF THE SCFCAH OF 13-14/01/2004) (SEE POINT 15 OF THE SCFCAH OF 02-03/02/2004)

The Commission explained that taking into account the epidemiological situation in the world with regard to major infectious diseases in animals which are transmissible through products derived from such animals, including foot and mouth disease, the introduction of such products into the Community for non-commercial purposes from third countries not free of these diseases continues to represent an unacceptable animal health risk. The purpose of the draft Regulation presented is to lay down permanent rules regarding the personal import of meat, milk and meat and milk products to replace the existing safeguard measures. The proposal also specifies the types and quantities and products of animal origin that may enjoy an exemption from the veterinary controls laid down for non-commercial imports without posing a significant animal health risk. It is also appropriate to ensure that the Member States continue to organise appropriate controls at the relevant points of entry into the Community on the basis of the principles established by Directive 97/78/EC. Member States should put in place appropriate and targeted resources to prevent the entry of illegal consignments of meat, milk and meat and milk products in personal baggage at EU entry points.

Member States should supply appropriate information to the Commission on mechanism they have employed to enforce the rules set out in this Regulation at the EU entry points that fall under their responsibility.


Upon request of the Italian delegation, the Commission acknowledged that the competent authorities or authorities responsible for the official controls do not necessarily represent the veterinary authorities.

Germany made the following statement:

“Germany is worried that the transmission of information on the checks carried out, as envisaged in the Commission Regulation, in accordance with Article 5 in conjunction with Annex IV will hamper the work of the authorities at the entry points and is not suitable for achieving the objectives of the rule of law.”

Ireland made the following statement:

“Ireland would have preferred that in relation to Annex IV of the document ,under Enforcement, paragraph e would have been deleted as Ireland is of the opinion that the disclosure of this information is not in the best interests of the control authorities, in particular customs.”

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France made the following statement:

« Compte tenu des difficultés de mise en application de la décision 2002/995/CE en ce qui concerne les aspects financiers liés à la destruction des produits, et de la volonté des autorités françaises de favoriser l’abandon volontaire des denrées d’origine animale par les voyageurs des transports internationaux, les autorités françaises auraient souhaité que le projet règlement communautaire prévoit explicitement l’imputation des coûts de destruction des produits aux gestionnaires des moyens de transports internationaux ou aux gestionnaires des ports et des aéroports »

29. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION APPROVING TERRITORIES OR ZONES FREE OF CERTAIN DISEASES, APPROVING ERADICATION PROGRAMMES IN AQUACULTURE ANIMALS, AND ESTABLISHING THE ADDITIONAL GUARANTEES FOR INTRODUCTION OF AQUACULTURE ANIMALS INTO THESE TERRITORIES OR ZONES (DOC. SANCO/10022/2004-REV.2) (YT) (SEE POINT 38 OF THE SCFCAH OF 02-03/02/2004)

The purpose of the draft Decision is threefold:

to approve certain Member States or parts of their territory free of certain fish diseases

to approve for certain Member States programmes for the eradication of certain fish diseases

to establish additional guarantees for introduction of aquaculture animal into these zones and territories


30. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION AMENDING ANNEXES I AND II TO DECISION 2003/858/EC LAYING DOWN THE ANIMAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTS OF LIVE FISH, THEIR EGGS AND GAMETES INTENDED FOR FARMING, AND LIVE FISH OF AQUACULTURE ORIGIN AND PRODUCTS THEREOF INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION (DOC. SANCO/10061/2004-REV.2) (YT) (SEE POINT 39 OF THE SCFCAH OF 02-03/02/2004)

Subsequent to the draft Decision presented under point 29 establishing additional guarantees, the present proposal aims to lay down the import conditions for live fish, their eggs and gametes intended for farming, and live fish of aquaculture origin and products thereof intended for human consumption. The purpose is that the same additional guarantees should apply for aquaculture products coming from third countries.


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31. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION AMENDING ANNEX I TO DECISION 2003/804/EC LAYING DOWN THE ANIMAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTS OF MOLLUSCS, THEIR EGGS AND GAMETES FOR FURTHER GROWTH, FATTENING, RELAYING OR HUMAN CONSUMPTION (DOC. SANCO/10101/2004-REV.2) (YT)

The Member States considered a draft Decision aiming to include Canada, Morocco, New Zealand, Tunisia, Turkey, USA and Croatia in Annex I to Decision 2003/804/EC for an interim period of time in order not to interrupt ongoing trade from third countries in live bivalve molluscs for human consumption pending foreseen inspections.

Vote: 77 votes in favour, 10 votes against.

32. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION AMENDING ANNEXES I AND II TO DECISION 2002/308/EC ESTABLISHING LISTS OF APPROVED ZONES AND APPROVED FARMS WITH REGARD TO ONE OR MORE OF THE FISH DISEASES VIRAL HAEMORRHAGIC SEPTICAEMIA (VHS) AND INFECTIOUS HAEMATOPOIETIC NECROSIS (IHN) (DOC. SANCO/10080/2004-REV.1) (YT)

The purpose of the draft Decision was

– to approve certain zones in France and Germany with regard to VHS and IHN

– to approve certain fish farms in non-approved zones in Austria and Italy with regard to VHS and IHN

– to repeal the approved status for one zone and one farm with regard to VHS in Italy, following an outbreak of the disease in pike


Applications for approval in the United Kingdom, Spain and Germany are under consideration.

33. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION APPROVING PROGRAMMES FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING THE STATUS OF APPROVED ZONES AND OF APPROVED FARMS IN NON-APPROVED ZONES WITH REGARD TO VIRAL HAEMORRHAGIC SEPTICAEMIA (VHS) AND INFECTIOUS HAEMATOPOIETIC NECROSIS (IHN) IN FISH, AND AMENDING ANNEXES I AND II TO DECISION 2003/634/EC (DOC. SANCO/10099/2004-REV.1) (YT)

The Member States were presented a proposal aiming to approve the programmes designed to enable the subsequent approval of the status of approved zone and approved fish farm situated in a non-approved zone with regard to VHS and IHN for one zone and one farm in Italy in Italy.


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34. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION REGULATION CONCERNING THE ADOPTION OF A HARMONISED INSPECTION CERTIFICATE AND REPORT MODEL CONNECTED WITH THE INTRA-COMMUNITY TRADE OF ANIMALS AND OF PRODUCTS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN (DOC. SANCO/10129/2004-REV.4) (DC)

The Commission explained that the harmonisation of the presentation of the sanitary certificates required in the intra-Community exchanges of animals and their products is compulsory for the implementation of the TRACES system (Decision 2003/623/EC), to allow the control and analysis of all the information introduced into the system. The Draft Regulation presented intends to introduce an harmonised template for the collection of the results of inspections carried out in accordance with Council Directives 89/662/EEC, 91/628/EEC and 90/425/EEC, necessary for an automatised analysis of the collected data and a standardised presentation of the result.


35. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION CONCERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TRACES SYSTEM (DOC. SANCO/10128/2004) (DC)

The Member States were presented a draft Decision fixing the date of implementation of the TRACES system at 01 April 2004. However, Member States which want to do so can join TRACES only on 1 December 2004, according to their level of preparedness to move from ANIMO to TRACES. The Member States concerned will then have to bilaterally extend their contract with the ANIMO host centre.


36. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION CONCERNING THE RECOVERY OF THE DATA OF THE ANIMO SYSTEM (DOC. SANCO/10127/2004) (DC)

The point was withdrawn from the agenda.

37. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION THE TRANSITION BETWEEN THE END OF THE OPERATION OF THE ANIMO SYSTEM AND THE APPLICATION OF THE TRACES SYSTEM (DOC. SANCO/10126/2004) (DC)


37A. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND POSSIBLE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION CONCERNING PROTECTION MEASURES IN RELATION TO HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND REPEALING DECISION 2004/187/EC (DOC. SANCO/10150/2004-REV.1) (MP)

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The Member States considered a draft Decision aiming to reconfirm the measures adopted by the Commission on 24 February (Decision 2004/187/EC) after an outbreak of avian influenza in Texas (USA). The import into the European Union of live poultry, ratites, farmed and wild feathered game birds and hatching eggs, fresh meat and products thereof from all of the United States of America remains suspended until 23 March 2004. The suspension also includes the importation of pet birds.


38. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION AMENDING ANNEX 4 TO COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 90/539/EEC AND DECISION 2001/106/EC FOR THE PURPOSE OF LISTING OF LIVE POULTRY ESTABLISHMENTS (DOC. SANCO/10074/2004) (MP) (SEE POINT 31 OF THE SCFCAH OF 02-03/02/2004)


39. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION APPROVING THE PLAN FOR THE APPROVAL OF ESTABLISHMENTS FOR THE PURPOSES OF INTRA-COMMUNITY TRADE IN POULTRY AND HATCHING EGGS (DOC. SANCO/10009/2004) (MP) (SEE POINT 32 OF THE SCFCAH OF 02-03/02/2004)

The Commission distributed and presented the proposal for study and observation. The draft Decision intends to approve the plans from Acceding Countries and the updated plans from Member States describing the national measures which have to be implemented to ensure compliance with the rules set out in Annex II of the Council Directive 90/539/EEC for the approval of establishments trading in poultry and hatching eggs.

40. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION AMENDING COMMISSION DECISION 2000/585/EC IN REGARD TO THE IMPORTATION OF MEAT FROM WILD AND FARMED FEATHERED GAME FROM AUSTRALIA (SANCO/10114/2004) (HN)


41. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON A DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION AMENDING COMMISSION DECISION 97/221/EC IN REGARD TO THE IMPORTATION OF MEAT EXTRACTS AND MEAT POWDER (DOC. SANCO/…../2004) (HN)


42. MISCELLANEOUS

(1) The following point was added to the agenda for an opinion:

Draft Commission Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 282/2004 introducing a document for the declaration of, and veterinary checks on,

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animals from third countries entering the Community (Doc. SANCO/10159/2004-Rev.1)

The proposal intended to rectify Article 8 of the above Regulation.


(2) Germany requested for a common position to be drawn up as regards import rules for camels used during travel for peace purposes.

(3) France asked the Commission to address a problem as regards the application of Directive 64/432/EEC with regard to international animal fairs and agricultural exhibitions. The Commission announced that a Decision was being prepared and was intended to be presented after enlargement.

(4) Denmark presented results with regard to the avian influenza wild birds.

(5) Italy informed the Committee that ornamental birds imported from Pakistan under Decision 2000/666/EC have been found positive for Newcastle disease in a quarantine station. The Commission said that positive findings in a quarantine station are not to be considered as an outbreak.

(6) The Commission explained the new voting rules as of 1 May 2004.

(7) The Commission also provided information on the Joint management Committee EU/Canada which was held on 17-18 February 2004, and in particular on Article 5 of the Veterinary Agreement (recognition of the EC animal health status by Canada). The Canadian authorities have also requested for the participation of Canadian experts in the 14-15 April 2004 SCFCAH to see how a Regulatory Committee works. The Member States agreed.

N.B. The proposals on which the Committee expressed an opinion are subject to a defined procedure in relation to the formal adoption by the Commission.

Mission reports are available on the Internet at the following address: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/inspections/vi/reports/index_en.html

Alejandro CHECCHI LANGDirector

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http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/inspections/vi/reports/index_en.html

sanco – e€¦ · web viewsanco – e.2 (03)d/520944 summary record. of the . standing...

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