2005/758/EC: Commission Decision of 27 October 2005 concerning certain protection measures in relation to a suspicion of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Croatia and repealing Decision 2005/749/EC (notified under document number C(2005) 4286) (Text with EEA relevance)

• Published date: 12 December 2006
• Subject Matter: Veterinary legislation,Internal market - Principles,Approximation of laws

28.10.2005 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 285/50

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COMMISSION DECISION

of 27 October 2005

concerning certain protection measures in relation to a suspicion of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Croatia and repealing Decision 2005/749/EC

(notified under document number C(2005) 4286)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2005/758/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries and amending Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675/EEC (1), and in particular Article 18(1), (3) and (6) thereof,

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 countries (2), and in particular Article 22(1), (5) and (6) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease in poultry and birds, causing mortality and disturbances which can quickly take epizootic proportions liable to present a serious threat to animal and public health and to reduce sharply the profitability of poultry farming. There is a risk that the disease agent might be introduced via international trade in live poultry and poultry products.

(2) Croatia has notified to the Commission the isolation of an H5 avian influenza virus collected from a clinical case in a wild species. The clinical picture allows the suspicion of highly pathogenic avian influenza pending the determination of the neuraminidase (N) type and of the pathogenicity index.

(3) The Commission therefore adopted Decision 2005/749/EC of 24 October 2005 concerning certain protection measures in relation to a suspicion of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Croatia (3).

(4) In view of the animal health risk of disease introduction into the Community, it is therefore appropriate as an immediate measure to suspend imports of live poultry, ratites, farmed and wild feathered game birds, live birds other than poultry and hatching eggs of these species from Croatia. As Croatia is authorised for imports of game trophies and untreated feathers, imports into the Community of these products should be suspended as well because of the animal health risk involved.

(5) Furthermore the importation into the Community from Croatia should be suspended for fresh meat of wild feathered game and importation of meat preparations and meat products consisting of or containing meat of those species.

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