HEALTH & CONSUMER PROTECTION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL

Transcription

1 EUROPEAN COMMISSION HEALTH & CONSUMER PROTECTION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL SANCO D1 D(07) SUMMARY RECORD OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE FOOD CHAIN AND ANIMAL HEALTH HELD IN BRUSSELS ON 6 AND 7 NOVEMBER 2007 (Section Animal Health and Welfare) (Section Controls and Import Conditions) (Section Biological Safety of the Food Chain) (Section Phytopharmaceuticals - Plant protection products legislation) Presidents: Bernard Van Goethem and Howard Batho. All the Member States were present, Cyprus absent for some points, Malta represented by the UK. 1. Foot-and-mouth disease situation in the United Kingdom. The UK representative made a presentation on the issue and briefly informed Member States about the history of the outbreaks. To date, there have been a total of eight infected holdings. All are located in the county of Surrey. All animals in the infected holdings have been culled. The virus identified has been typed as O1 BFS, and most likely originates from the Pirbright site. Of the 8 confirmed cases, 7 were cases reported because of clinical symptoms, while one outbreak was detected by sero-surveillance following the slaughter on suspicion of the animals. It is now 37 days since the last outbreak was confirmed. The surveillance zone has been lifted on 5 November 2007 following the completion of the surveillance. The restriction zone is still in place. 2. Information from Member States on the bluetongue situation. The Spanish representative made a presentation on the issue. He presented a historical overview of outbreaks and informed on a new outbreak confirmed on at the border with France affecting 9 farms (2 of them with bovine and 7 with sheep). Virus was identified as serotype 1. Vector's peak season was from May to August but there is low activity in October. All measures in place are in line with the EU legislation. All the farms around the outbreak (in a 20 km radius) were immobilized and surveillance in the farms around the outbreak was established. Treatments with insecticides and repellents were introduced. Emergency vaccination against serotype 1 in every farm situated in the radius of 20 km around the outbreak will start soon. Vaccination of all animals (sheep and cattle) in a radius of 100 km is planned in the future. 1

2 The French representative made a presentation on the issue. There are cases so far. About 80% of them are in cattle holdings. Outbreaks are located mainly in the northern part of the country. The most recent restricted zone is located in the eastern part of the country, close to the Spanish border. The Belgian representative made a presentation on the issue. There are a total of outbreaks confirmed till 30 October 2007 which include outbreaks in sheep, outbreaks in cattle and 11 outbreaks in goats. Outbreaks are located mainly in the western part of country. The number of outbreaks is much higher than in Also morbidity and mortality in sheep are much higher than in More than sheep already died in Belgium. The Danish representative made a presentation on the issue. The first outbreak in Denmark was confirmed on 13 October 2007 in a sheep herd in Sakskoebing on the island of Lolland. Up to now only one sheep was found with clinical signs and died less than 48 hrs after observation of first clinical signs. Information concerning the current situation on BT in Portugal, Germany, Luxemburg, UK and the Netherlands was distributed during the meeting. Member States discussed the interpretation of the wording "protection against vector attacks" which is part of the Commission Regulation document SANCO/10178/2007-Rev.6, voted during the previous meeting of this Committee held on 2 and 3 October The Commission representative gave the same interpretation as then: "protection against vector attacks" means a "set of measures and elements that protects from vectors attack in the sense of the expression "non è attaccabile" used by the President of the Scientific Commission of the OIE who was present in the Italian delegation, at the meeting on the 2 nd and 3 rd of October. During the meeting the outcome of the working group on an EU harmonised strategy on vaccination against Bluetongue, held on 5 November and the updated table with the restricted regions in the EU in relation to Bluetongue have been distributed. The Swiss representative made a presentation on the issue. Due to the outbreak in South Germany, in Baden-Württemberg near the Swiss border, the whole territory of Switzerland was put under restrictions. The first outbreak in Switzerland occurred in Bettingen, Canton BS on 28 October 2007 with 6 positive out of 58 bovines. The second one was found in Büren, Canton SO on 31 October 2007 (2 positive out of 82 bovines). 3. Information from Italy and Portugal on the low pathogenic avian influenza situation. The Italian representative made a presentation on the 18 LPAI outbreaks that have occurred since May outbreaks were caused by H7N3 and 1 by H5N2 subtype. The last outbreak was confirmed on in a dealer farm (582 birds) located in Rondissone municipality - Piemonte Region. All birds present on the affected holding were depopulated except birds of endangered species, which are subjected to further surveillance and testing. A restricted zone of 1 km radius was set up. Cleansing and disinfection procedures and bird movement restrictions have been introduced. Fairs, markets, shows or other gatherings of birds were prohibited, unless authorised by the competent authority. Viruses isolated since were closely related ( % homology) but did not appear closely related to the previous H7N3 LPAI virus isolated in rural chickens last May in S. Maria di Sala - Veneto Region and were unrelated to the H7N3 viruses which caused the LPAI epidemic in Italy. 2

3 The Portuguese representative made a presentation on the LPAI outbreak of H5N2/H5N3 in a game bird holding keeping mallards in free range for release to the wild for hunting purposes. Virus presence was confirmed on 12 September and stamping out began on 15 September Official control and sampling of 6 turkey holdings in the 1 km restriction zone have proven negative. Biosecurity measures after stamping out included disinfection of the shelters by aerosols, lime spreading on the floors of the shelters and, drying of the ponds. A group of separately kept breeding ducks that tested negative was spared from killing and vaccination of these birds is under consideration. A total of animals were killed. 4. Information by the Commission on an interim report on highly pathogenic avian influenza in Saskatchewan, Canada. The Commission briefly informed Member States about the single outbreak of avian influenza H7N3 near the capital city of the province Saskatchewan. No further outbreak or suspicion based on several rounds of surveillance has been reported and it is thought that the outbreak is closed. However, some restrictions on the concerned holding will be maintained. The Commission s safeguard measures will elapse on Information by Estonia on the Newcastle disease situation. The Estonian representative very briefly updated the Member States about the Newcastle disease outbreak that was confirmed at AS Tallegg Kulli farm, Kadaka küla, Rae vald, Harjumaa. A total of laying hens are being culled these days. Restrictions for all movements of poultry and eggs from the farm are in place as from The isolated virus showed 99.7% similarity to the virus found on the first outbreak of 2007 in July. Within the 3 and 10 km zones restrictions are applied and all holdings with birds will be inspected. In the 3 km zone 2 holdings with young breeding poultry will be emergency vaccinated. Vaccination of these 2 farms is envisaged to be carried out at the end of next week. 6. Information by Spain on the detection of Bonamia exitiosa in oysters. The Spanish representative made a presentation on the issue. The detection of B. exitiosa has been a consequence of several studies concerning the impact of B. ostreae in a specific production area of Galicia (Cambados), situated in the Arousa estuary. The outbreak origin is unknown. Probably the disease was present in the Galician region, but the diagnostic techniques were not able to distinguish between B. oestrae and B. exitiosa. There is no oyster movement from the affected area to other production regions. The Commission proposed a working group to discuss the issue. 7. Information by Italy on the swine vesicular disease situation. The Italian representative made a presentation on the issue. 5 new swine vesicular disease (SVD) outbreaks were detected during October 2007 in the province of Brescia and pigs were culled consequently. Since July 2007, 12 outbreaks were detected in that area, 8 primary and 4 secondary cases, and animals were culled. The measures established according to Council Directive 92/119/EEC are applied. Minimum bio security measures for farms, slaughterhouses and vehicles were established. 3

4 Extraordinary measures were introduced for the province of Brescia. Depopulation of the farms located within 2 km of the outbreaks (15 farms, about pigs) will take place. Supplementary testing of farms on SVD is carried out. Restocking in farms where outbreaks occurred will be allowed after a 6 months period and only farms fulfilling established biosecurity guidelines will be authorized to do so. The Commission proposed a bilateral meeting with the Italian authorities to further discuss the issue. 8. Information by Italy on the African swine fever situation. The Italian representative made a presentation and update on the ASF situation in Sardinia. 28 outbreaks in domestic pigs and 2 cases in wild boars occurred in The outbreaks in the high risk area were located in 5 municipalities. One outbreak occurred outside the high risk area in the province of Cagliari. The two cases in wild boar were found in Bultei and Laconi. At the moment, three surveillance zones are still in place but two shall be repealed soon. The risk factors, considered responsible for the persistence of the disease in Sardinia, are illegal movements, frauds and free ranging pigs. The Italian authorities have recently introduced regulations as regards extensive pig breeding. Regular meetings are organised with the order forces and forest guards. The Commission underlined the difficulties in Sardinia as regards the eradication of ASF and emphasized that the Italian veterinary authorities should request and be assured of sufficient support by all relevant other authorities. 9. Information by Hungary, Slovakia and Romania on the classical swine fever situation. The Slovak representative made a presentation on the CSF situation in wild boar. On a new case was confirmed on a shot wild boar in the county of Nové Zámky. Measures have immediately been taken in accordance with Council Directive 2001/89/EC and the Slovakian Eradication Plan for CSF in wild boar population and Contingency Plan for CSF. Increased biosecurity in pig holdings, measures as regards movement of pigs and hunting measures have been ordered in the newly infected zone. Monitoring of all shot and found dead wild boars and measures as regards meat from wild boar were also taken. Awareness of private veterinarians, pig holders and hunters in affected as well as in neighbouring districts was raised. 2 pig holdings are localised in the 3 km zone around the positive case. 96 samples were so far examined with negative results. The Slovak representative proposed to amend the infected area according to this new finding. On the other hand CSF has been eradicated in the Northern part of the present infected zone (district of Trencin) and Slovakia requested also to amend the infected zone accordingly. The Hungarian representative made a presentation on the issue. CSF was confirmed in a wild boar in the Slovak Republic, close to the Slovakian-Hungarian Border. The neighbouring Hungarian Komárom-Esztergom County has a natural border, the River Danube, with Slovakia. Measures in accordance with Directive 2001/89/EC were introduced in this area. According to the opinion of the Hungarian CSF Expert Group, the CSF infected area in Hungary (currently Nógrád County) should be extended. The first outbreak of CSF in the Nógrád County in wild boar was confirmed on 22 January So far 27 outbreaks (29 cases) were found. The last outbreak was confirmed on 27 October

5 The Romanian representative made a presentation on the issue. The total number of outbreaks till is 168, mainly in non-professional holdings. 3 cases occurred in professional holdings. The origin of the disease is probably due to uncontrolled movement of people and vehicles and poor bio security measures. 1 outbreak occurred in free ranging pigs in the Braila County and was confirmed on 9 October The outbreak is located on an island in a Natural Reservation area. The origin of the disease is unknown, but wild boar as a source of the virus is suspected. Restrictions concerning movement of animals and emergency vaccination of pigs with live attenuated conventional vaccine on the island and in a radius of 30 km were ordered. The total number of pigs in the radius of 30 km around the island is in non-professional holdings (all revaccinated with live attenuated vaccine) and in a professional holding ( vaccinated with marker vaccine). A total of free ranging pigs on the island were vaccinated. No clinical signs were detected but the surveillance is on-going. About pigs have been slaughtered in 2007 in 128 slaughterhouses. The Commission representative expressed his concerns on the current situation and urged the Romanian Authorities to prepare and amend the eradication programme for CSF appropriately. 10. Information by Croatia on the classical swine fever situation and information by Slovenia on the measures taken in relation to the situation in Croatia. The Croatian representative made a presentation on the issue. 121 outbreaks in 10 counties have been confirmed in Most of the affected holdings are very small holdings with extremely low bio security. Measures are taken in line with EU legislation. No evidence of CSF was found in wild boar in 86 hunting grounds. The Slovenian representative made a presentation on the measures taken in relation to the CSF outbreaks in Croatia, close to the border with Slovenia. Measures for a surveillance zone in accordance with Council Directive 2001/89/EC were introduced within the 10 km radius from the actual location of the outbreak at the Croatian side. Besides the measures mentioned above, other precautionary measures introduced in Slovenia earlier this year and related to the past Croatian CSF outbreaks are still in place. These measures include specifically enhanced border controls, active surveillance at the border crossings by the Custom authorities related to personal luggage, enhanced police controls at the border, enhanced surveillance of pig holdings along the border with Croatia and in the areas with dense pig population. 11. Russian import conditions for animals and products of animal origin. Norway briefly informed Member States about problems with exports of fishery products from Norway to Russia. The Russian authorities are now restricting import of fish caught in the open sea. 12. Information from Member States on the implementation of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1739/2005 laying down animal health requirements for the movement of circus animals between Member States. The Commission sent out a questionnaire on this issue and thanked the Member States who had already sent the relevant data. The Regulation relating to circus animals had been adopted in 2005 and came into force on 1 st January

6 The Commission had requested the information in order to have a complete picture of the situation in all the Member States and also in order to be able to give guidance to the relevant European circus associations. Sweden, Slovenia and Ireland stated that the passports provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1739/2005 had been printed. 13. Information from Member States on their progress in approving bodies, institutes and centres according to Council Directive 92/65/EEC, Annex C. Member States were requested to provide information on the approved bodies, institutes and centres. Member States who had not sent the information were requested to send data as soon as possible. Some Member States asked about the publication of this information on the SANCO website. Due to the sensitivity of such information, the Commission will discuss this issue with the Member States at a later stage. 14. Information from Member States on enforcement of the rules on personal imports of meat and milk, in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 745/2004, laying down measures with regard to imports of products of animal origin for personal consumption. Document SANCO/10487/2007 was distributed during the meeting on 6 November. Member States were requested to send data on time for next year. They were also informed that the data would be published on DG SANCO's website, unless a Member State objected. No Member State voiced any objection. 15. DG SANCO - Animal Health and Standing Committees Unit-2006 Activity Report. During the meeting the "DG SANCO Animal Health and Standing Committees - Activity Report 2006" was distributed. 16. Information from the Commission on reports received from the Member States on the results of controls made in 2006 in the bovine sector regarding Community provisions for identification and registration in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1082/2003. (Doc. SANCO/10422/2007) According to Article 5 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1082/2003 each Member State shall make an annual report to the Commission before 31 August each year on the controls carried out in the framework of the system for the identification and registration of bovine animals. The Commission presented a summary of the reports received from the Member States by 5 November The Commission representative reminded the Member States that had not yet reported, to send their data without further delay. 17. Information on proposed payments to be reimbursed to certain Member States in the framework of the 2006 eradication programmes. Information about proposed payments towards the 2006 Salmonella eradication programme was sent by and distributed during the meeting. 6

7 18. 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. Document SANCO/10404/2007 Rev.2 was distributed during the meeting: a draft Commission Regulation concerning protection measures against equine influenza in certain third countries. Member States are to authorise imports of equidae, their semen, ova and embryos in accordance with Commission Decision 2004/211/EC. As the Community is not free of equine influenza and vaccines against equine influenza are available, Council Directive 90/426/EEC of 26 June 1990 on animal health conditions governing the movement and import from third countries of equidae does not list equine influenza as a compulsorily notifiable disease in the Member States. Australia and Japan have recently reported several cases of equine influenza, including cases detected in vaccinated horses in Japan. Both countries reported high morbidity and mortality in equidae and a significant economic impact of that disease on the equine sector. The results of the detailed genetic characterisation of the causative H3N8-like virus strain have not been made available and it cannot be ruled out that at least some of the available vaccines against equine influenza do not convey sufficient immunity against this particular virus, and therefore do not effectively prevent equidae from contracting the disease and spreading the virus. In order to prevent the introduction into the Community of equine influenza caused by the subtype of the virus detected in Australia and Japan, it is appropriate to lay down protection measures in relation to equidae coming into the Community from affected third countries, in addition to the conditions provided for in Decision 2004/211/EC. Those special conditions are based on the recommendations laid down in Chapter of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the OIE on equine influenza, which has recently been updated. Vote: postponed. 18A. Foot-and-mouth disease in Cyprus The Cypriot representative made a presentation on the issue and informed Member States about the foot and mouth disease situation in Cyprus. On 22 October 2007 a farmer brought a 2-year old sheep at the Veterinary District Office of Larnaca for examination because of skin lesions on the lips and lameness. Instructions were immediately given to a Veterinary Officer to proceed to an on-the-spot visit of the farm for further investigation and samplings. A Veterinary Officer visited the farm which is located at the village of Dromolaxia in Larnaca district and collected blood samples from 25 sheep which showed clinical symptoms suspicious for Bluetongue or Contagious Ecthyma. The above blood samples were examined for Bluetongue with negative results. For reasons of differential diagnosis the samples were further tested by ELISA for foot-andmouth disease. A positive reaction was given in the test for foot-and-mouth disease so the flock was immediately put under isolation and a preliminary epidemiological investigation carried out. A temporary control zone of 3km has been established around the suspect flock in Dromolaxia. Movement restrictions for all animals have been imposed to all farms, road blocks have been established and disinfection points for all cars entering and exiting the zone. All produced milk within the 3km zone was destroyed in the farm using citric acid and was then buried. The Veterinary Services initiated immediately the inspection of all holdings within a radius of 1km around the suspect flock. Furthermore, all bovine herds located outside the 1km zone but within the 3km zone were clinically inspected in order to identify any possibile spread of the disease. None of the animals showed any clinical signs suggestive of the disease. All 25 samples 7

8 were immediately dispatched to the Community Reference Laboratory in Pirbright, UK, for further examination. The ELISA test carried out at the CRL confirms the results of the laboratory in Cyprus. Further blood samples from the three new suspected flocks have been immediately dispatched to the CRL. Samples from one of the three new suspect flocks gave positive results for serotype O. The Veterinary Services proceeded in the culling of the animals in the 2 flocks where the laboratory results showed strong evidence for the existence of the disease. In parallel, the Veterinary Services established a protection and a surveillance zone of 3 and 10km respectively around the infected flocks. The provisions of Council Directive 2003/85/EC are applied in the zones. Document SANCO/10515/2007 has been distributed during the meeting: a draft Commission Decision concerning certain protection measures against foot-and-mouth disease in Cyprus. The draft Decision is of the same format as the one applicable for the UK. Cyprus shall implement a temporary ban on movement of livestock of the bovine, porcine, ovine and caprine species and equidae until 12 November, with a derogation possible if the holding has been inspected prior the movement with satisfactory results and the animals are moved directly to the slaughterhouse. The situation shall be reviewed at the meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health scheduled for 3 December 2007, and the measures are to be adapted where necessary. 19. Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Decision concerning certain protection measures against foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom and repealing Decision 2007/554/EC. (Doc. SANCO/10476/2007-Rev. 4) The last outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the UK was confirmed on 30 September To reinforce the control measures applied by the United Kingdom the Commission adopted Decision 2007/554/EC, applicable until 15 December Following the completion of the measures provided for in Directive 2003/85/EC on Community measures for the control of foot-and-mouth disease for the surveillance zone it is now appropriate to proceed with a further regionalisation of the part of the territory of the United Kingdom affected by the disease. The United Kingdom has defined a foot-and-mouth disease risk area of about 150 km around the first outbreak that will be subject to intensified surveillance. In order to allow the intra-community trade of fresh meat of the bovine, porcine, ovine and caprine species under such conditions that ensures that the animals slaughtered are sourced from areas sufficiently distant to the outbreaks, a specific Annex III was introduced to the Decision in which specific conditions have been laid down. That Annex also includes a list of areas from which the animals can be sourced. That list should be adapted to exclude those administrative units that are outside a high risk area of approximately 25 km around the first outbreak. Furthermore, it is necessary to adapt certain conditions for the dispatch of frozen semen and embryos of the bovine, porcine, ovine and caprine species, the dispatch of certain animal byproducts derived from animals slaughtered for the dispatch of meat and to clarify the text in relation to medicinal products. At the same time and in accordance with Article 62 of the Directive it is possible to envisage that the restrictions on certain products of animal origin could be withdrawn after the date of 15 December 2007 as previously foreseen. It is also necessary to continue the prohibition on the dispatch of live susceptible animals and their semen, ova and embryos from areas in the high risk zone specified in Annex I until the 8

9 disease and infection free status can be recovered by the United Kingdom, therefore, Decision 2007/554/EC should be prolonged until 31 December Exchange of views and technical agreement of the Committee on a draft Commission Decision amending Annexes I, V and VII to Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 on animal byproducts not intended for human consumption. (Doc. SANCO/10586/ Rev. 6)(Right of scrutiny of the European Parliament) Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 lays down animal and public health rules for the collection, transport, storage, handling, processing and use or disposal of animal by-products and the placing on the market of such products. Annex I of this Regulation contains a definition of bloodmeal. In order to clarify that definition, it is appropriate to specify that it also covers products derived from the heat-treatment of fractions of blood in accordance with Chapter II of Annex VII to that Regulation, and intended for animal consumption or organic fertilisers. The specific requirements for mammalian processed animal protein are set out in Chapter II of Annex VII to Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002. The treatment requirements laid down in A (1) of that Chapter, for mammalian processed animal protein, should be amended to take account of the new definition of bloodmeal in Annex I to that Regulation. Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 provides that animal by-products are to be processed on a different site from the site of collection, unless located in a completely separate building. It also provides that the processing of animal by-products originating on the same site in processing plants linked to a slaughterhouse by way of a conveyer system may be permitted under certain conditions. In order to facilitate the practical application of the provisions in Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002, to Category 3 processing plants, the competent authorities in the Member States should be permitted to derogate from these provisions and to allow the introduction of Category 3 material originating in other premises approved under Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs of animal origin, under conditions aimed at the control of risks to public and animal health. Technical agreement: unanimous in favour. 21. Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 92/2005 implementing Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 as regards means of disposal or uses of animal by-products. (Doc. SANCO/10106/ Rev.3) (Right of scrutiny of the European Parliament) The purpose of this Regulation is to allow additional uses for materials resulting from the biodiesel production process approved under Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 on animal byproducts, in line with available scientific evidence. Furthermore, the Regulation is intended to adjust the monitoring requirements for the first use of certain treatment processes for animal byproducts in a Member State to what is necessary to ensure sufficient protection of public and animal health. Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 lays down treatment parameters for animal byproducts not intended for human consumption. By way of an implementing measure, Regulation (EC) No 92/2005, supplementary treatments for the use and disposal of animal by-products have been approved, based on scientific evidence. Among these treatments, a process for the production of biodiesel can be used for the transformation of animal fat. Other than the biodiesel itself, which is used as a fuel, the chemical process leads to potassium sulphate and glycerine. In 9

10 line with available scientific evidence, landfilling and transformation into biogas of these additional products, as well as the use of these products for the production of certain technical products and the generation of energy should be allowed. 22. Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Decision establishing a model for the lists of entities approved by Member States in accordance with various provisions of Community veterinary legislation, and the rules applying to the transmission of these lists to the Commission. (Codification of 2001D0106) The purpose of this draft, prepared by the Legal Service in conjunction with Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection, is to undertake a codification of Commission Decision 2001/106/EC of 24 January 2001 establishing a model for the lists of entities approved by Member States in accordance with various provisions of Community veterinary legislation, and the rules applying to the transmission of these lists to the Commission. The proposed Decision will supersede the various acts incorporated in it; their content is fully preserved, and they are brought together with only such formal amendments as are required by the codification exercise itself. Vote: qualified majority in favour, 4 votes absent, Malta represented by the UK. 23. Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Decision amending Decision 2007/25/EC as regards certain protection measures in relation to highly pathogenic avian influenza and movements of pet birds accompanying their owners into the Community. (Doc. SANCO/10397/2007-Rev. 1) On 22 December 2006 the Commission adopted Decision 2007/25/EC laying down certain protection measures in relation to highly pathogenic avian influenza and movements of pet birds accompanying their owners into the Community. This decision currently applies until 31 December Avian influenza outbreaks caused by the highly pathogenic avian influenza strain H5N1 are still detected on a regular basis in third countries. In order to prevent the spread of avian influenza by the movement of pet birds into the EU, the Commission proposed to extend the application of measures established by Decision 2007/25/EC until 31 December Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Decision amending Decisions 2005/731/EC and 2005/734/EC as regards the extension of their period of application. (Doc. SANCO/10430/2007-Rev.1) Decision 2005/731/EC lays down additional requirements for avian influenza surveillance in wild birds in particular as regards notification and investigation of increased disease incidence and mortality. Decision 2005/734/EC lays down biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza caused by Influenza virus A subtype H5N1 from birds living in the wild to poultry and other captive birds and provides for an early detection system in poultry farms situated in areas at particular risk for avian influenza introduction. 10

11 Both Decisions will expire on 31 December However, outbreaks of that disease have recently occurred in poultry and wild birds in the Community and continue to occur in third countries and it was therefore proposed to prolong the validity of those Decisions until 31 December Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Regulation laying down a list of third countries, territories, zones or compartments from which poultry and poultry products may be imported into and transit through the Community and the veterinary certification requirements. (Doc. SANCO/10011/2007- Rev.7) Commission Decision 2006/696/EC of 28 August 2006 laying down a list of third countries from which poultry, hatching eggs, day-old chicks, meat of poultry, ratites and wild game-birds, eggs and egg products and specified pathogen-free eggs may be imported into and transit through the Community and the applicable veterinary certification conditions sets out a list of third countries from which the commodities concerned may be imported into, and transit through, the Community and lays down the veterinary certification conditions. The import requirements for poultry commodities mentioned above should take into account the most recent scientific knowledge and developments on the epidemiology of avian influenza in the Community and worldwide. The scope of the control measures to be applied in the event of an outbreak should be extended from highly pathogenic avian influenza to deal also with outbreaks of low pathogenic avian influenza. Such control measures would be equivalent with measures applied within the Community and would be in line with the revised requirements for international trade in poultry and poultry products laid down by the standards of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal health (OIE) and the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals of the OIE. The freedom from low pathogenic avian influenza should be certified based on the results for surveillance on avian influenza in poultry flocks. Therefore, influenza surveillance programmes should be submitted by third countries to the Commission for evaluation. In addition, the possibility to import certain poultry commodities from third countries that carry out vaccination against avian influenza should be introduced. In this case the vaccination plan against avian influenza should also be submitted to the Commission for evaluation. For the sake of clarity, the Commission proposed to repeal Commission Decisions 93/342/EEC, 94/438/EC, 2006/696/EC and 2007/843/EC which are replaced by this single legislative act. Technical agreement: in favour, 3 votes absent. 26. Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Decision establishing the list of third countries from which Member States authorise imports of ova and embryos of the porcine species. (Doc. SANCO/10275/2007-Rev. 1). Part III of the Annex to Commission Decision 94/63/EC establishes a list of third countries from which Member States authorise imports of semen, ova and embryos of the ovine and caprine species and ova and embryos of the porcine species. That Decision has been amended several times to take account of new scientific and technical developments. At present, it applies to semen, ova and embryos of the ovine and caprine species and ova and embryos of the porcine species. 11

12 The Commission intends to lay down in a separate act the animal health conditions applicable to imports into the Community of semen, ova and embryos of the ovine and caprine species, including the list of third countries from which Member States are to authorise imports of those commodities. The purpose of this decision is therefore to lay down a list of third countries from which Member States are to authorise imports of ova and embryos of porcine species by referring to the list established by Decision 2002/613/EC of 19 July 2002 laying down the importation conditions of semen of domestic animals of the porcine species, as it was established based on the animal health status of third countries from which Member States are to authorize the imports of live pigs and, as there is no scientific evidence suggesting that with regard to major exotic contagious diseases the risks arising from the health status of the donor porcine female and male could be mitigated by treatment of the embryo. For the sake of clarity of Community legislation, it was proposed to repeal Decision 94/63/EEC. 27. Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Decision on imports of semen, ova and embryos of the ovine and caprine species into the Community as regards lists of third countries and of semen collection centres and embryo collection teams, and certification requirements. (Doc. SANCO/10190/2007-Rev. 3). Directive 92/65/EEC lays down the animal health requirements governing trade in and imports into the Community of animals, semen, ova and embryos not subject to the animal health requirements laid down in the specific Community acts referred to therein. It also provides for the establishment of the: - list of those third countries or parts of third countries, able to provide guarantees equivalent to those provided for in Chapter II therein, from which Member States may import semen, ova and embryos of the ovine and caprine species. - list of semen, ova and embryo collection centres in third countries, for which those third countries are able to give the guarantees referred to in Article 11 of that Directive. - specific animal health requirements or guarantees equivalent to those provided for therein, for imports into the Community of semen, ova and embryos of the ovine and caprine species in order to lay down models of health certificates for those commodities in accordance with that Directive. The purpose of this Decision is therefore to lay down a list of third countries and approved semen collection centres from which Member States are to authorise imports into the Community of semen of the ovine and caprine species, a list of third countries and approved embryo collection teams from which Member States are to authorise imports into the Community of ova and embryos of those species, and the certification requirements relating to such imports in order to gather all these requirements under a single act. Technical agreement: unanimous in favour. 28. Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Decision amending Decision 2006/805/EC as regards animal health control measures relating to classical swine fever in Slovakia. (Doc. SANCO/10458/2007-Rev.2) In relation with the classical swine fever situation in the feral pigs in certain Member States (Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia) the Commission has adopted several Decisions, including Decision 2006/805/EC concerning protection measures relating to classical swine fever in areas of certain Member States. Classical swine fever in feral pigs has spread in 12

13 certain areas of Slovakia and on the other hand has improved in other areas of Slovakia. The areas, in which the measures adopted by Decision 2006/805/EC are to be implemented, need therefore to be amended for Slovakia. The measures need also to be extended in an area in Hungary, bordering Slovakia. 29. Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Decision concerning the financial contribution by the Community, for the year 2007, towards studies, impact assessments and evaluations covering the areas of food safety, animal health and welfare and zootechnics. (Doc. SANCO/10208/2007) Under Decision 90/424/EEC of 26 June 1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field, the Community is to undertake or assist the Member States or international organisations in undertaking the technical and scientific measures necessary for the development of Community veterinary legislation and for the development of veterinary education or training. Studies, impact assessments and evaluations covering the areas of food safety, animal health and welfare and zootechnics are to form part of the further development of Community veterinary legislation and the development of veterinary education or training and will also support the actions identified in the Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals It is therefore appropriate for the Community to fund for the year 2007, two further actions in the field of animal welfare up to the maximum amount of Vote: qualified majority in favour, 3 votes absent. 30. Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Decision approving annual and multi-annual national programmes and the financial contribution from the Community for the eradication, control and monitoring of certain animal diseases and zoonoses, presented by the Member States for 2008 and following years. (Doc. SANCO/10381/2007-Rev.1) Council Decision 90/424/EEC on expenditure in the veterinary field provides for financial aid from the Community for the eradication and monitoring of certain diseases and for checks aimed at the prevention of zoonoses. For this purpose programmes submitted by the Member States must be approved individually by the Community in accordance with Articles 24 (5) and 26 of the mentioned Decision. For the year 2008 the Member States have submitted a number of animal disease and zoonoses eradication, control and monitoring programmes, including the programmes related to Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) and Avian Influenza (AI). Certain Member States have also submitted to the Commission multi-annual programmes for the eradication and monitoring of animal diseases, for which they wish to receive a financial contribution from the Community. The highest priority has been given to animal diseases with an impact on public health (TSEs, AI, Brucellosis, Rabies, Salmonellosis, and Tuberculosis). Council Decision 90/424/EEC was amended in December 2006 in line with these priorities. Following the evaluation, 61 animal disease eradication and monitoring programmes, 39 programmes for the control of zoonoses, 27 TSEs monitoring programmes, 20 BSE eradication programmes, 24 Scrapie eradication programmes and 26 Avian Influenza survey programmes qualified for a financial contribution in accordance with Article 24 (5) of Council Decisions 90/424/EEC. The programmes will be financed by providing 50% of the costs incurred in the Member State concerned for the eligible measures foreseen in this draft Decision or 100% for certain tests as 13

14 regards TSEs up to a maximum limit. A maximum amount for certain measures of the individual programmes is also laid down in this draft Decision. 31. Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Decision approving amendments to the national programme for the control of salmonella in breeding flocks of Gallus gallus submitted by Finland. (Doc. SANCO/2239/2007) The purpose of Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 November 2003 on the control of salmonella and other specified food-borne zoonotic agents is to ensure that proper and effective measures are taken to detect and control salmonella. In order to achieve the target, Member States had to establish national programmes for the control of salmonella in breeding flocks of Gallus gallus and submit them to the Commission. Finland has submitted a national programme for the control of salmonella in breeding flocks of Gallus gallus. This programme was found to comply with relevant Community veterinary legislation and in particular with Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003. The national salmonella control programme in breeding flocks of Gallus gallus submitted by Finland listed in Annex I of Commission Decision 2006/759 EC was approved by Commission Decision 2006/759 EC of 8 November Finland has submitted technical amendments to its national programme for the control of salmonella in breeding flocks of Gallus gallus with the request to Commission to reapprove it if it is found in compliance with relevant EC legislation. 32. Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Decision approving the national programme for the control of salmonella in breeding flocks of Gallus gallus submitted by Romania. (Doc. SANCO/1042/2007) Romania has also submitted its programme for the control of salmonella in breeding flocks of Gallus gallus. After examination of the programme submitted by Romania it was found to comply with relevant Community veterinary legislation. The Commission therefore proposed to approve the programme. 33. Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Decision approving the national programme for the control of salmonella in breeding flocks of Gallus gallus submitted by Bulgaria. (Doc. SANCO/3074/2007) Bulgaria has also submitted its programme for the control of salmonella in breeding flocks of Gallus gallus. After examination of the programme submitted by Bulgaria it was found to comply with relevant Community veterinary legislation. The Commission therefore proposed to approve the programme. 14

15 34. Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Decision approving certain national programmes for the control of salmonella in flocks of laying hens of Gallus gallus. (Doc. SANCO/2388/2007 Rev.1) Certain Member States have submitted programmes for the control of salmonella in flocks of laying hens of Gallus gallus. After evaluation of those programmes they were found to comply with relevant Community veterinary legislation. The Commission therefore proposed to approve the programme. The Commission announced that the French national salmonella control programme had been amended to exclude any direct or indirect reference to the "chartre sanitaire". 35. Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Decision establishing the Community s financial contribution to the expenditure incurred in the context of the emergency measures taken to combat avian influenza in the United Kingdom in (Doc. SANCO/3142/2007 Rev.2) Outbreaks of avian influenza occurred in the United Kingdom in The emergence of that disease presented a serious risk to the Community's livestock population. In order to prevent the spread of the disease and to help eradicate it as quickly as possible, the Community should contribute financially towards the eligible expenditure incurred by the Member State under the emergency measures taken to combat the disease, as provided for in Decision 90/424/EEC. Commission Decision 2007/272/EC of 25 April 2007 concerning a financial contribution from the Community in the context of emergency measures taken to combat avian influenza in the United Kingdom in 2006 granted a financial contribution at the rate of 50% of the expenditure eligible for Community funding for the implementation of the measures taken to combat this outbreak. Pursuant to that Decision, the Community financial contribution is to be paid on the basis of the request submitted by the United Kingdom on 18 May 2007 and supporting documents set out in Article 7 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 349/2005 of 28 February 2005 laying down rules on the Community financing of emergency measures and of the campaign to combat certain animal diseases under Council Decision 90/424/EEC. In view of those considerations, the total amount of the Community s financial contribution to the eligible expenditure incurred associated with the eradication of avian influenza in the United Kingdom in 2006 was fixed. 36. Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Decision establishing the Community s financial contribution to the expenditure incurred in the context of the emergency measures taken to combat Newcastle disease in the United Kingdom in (Doc. SANCO/3294/2007 Rev.1) Withdrawn from the agenda. 37. Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Committee on a draft Commission Decision establishing the Community s financial contribution to the expenditure incurred in the context of the emergency measures taken to combat avian influenza in Denmark in (Doc. SANCO/3183/2007 Rev.2) 15

16 Outbreaks of avian influenza occurred in Denmark in The emergence of that disease presented a serious risk to the Community's livestock population. In order to prevent the spread of the disease and to help eradicate it as quickly as possible, the Community should contribute financially towards the eligible expenditure incurred by the Member State under the emergency measures taken to combat the disease, as provided for in Decision 90/424/EEC. Commission Decision 2007/310/EC of 27 April 2007 concerning a financial contribution from the Community in the context of emergency measures taken to combat avian influenza in Denmark in 2006 granted a financial contribution at the rate of 50% of the expenditure eligible for Community funding for the implementation of the measures taken to combat this outbreak. Pursuant to that Decision, the Community financial contribution is to be paid on the basis of the request submitted by Denmark on 24 June 2007 and supporting documents set out in Article 7 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 349/2005 of 28 February 2005 laying down rules on the Community financing of emergency measures and of the campaign to combat certain animal diseases under Council Decision 90/424/EEC. In view of those considerations, the total amount of the Community s financial contribution to the eligible expenditure incurred associated with the eradication of avian influenza in Denmark in 2006 was fixed. 38. Exchange of views and possible opinion of the Commission on a draft Commission Decision amending Decisions 2006/687/EC, 2006/875/EC and 2006/876/EC as regards the reallocation of the Community s financial contribution to certain Member States for their programmes for the eradication and monitoring of animal diseases and for checks aimed at the prevention of zoonoses for (Doc. SANCO/3375/2007-Rev.4) Pursuant to Articles 24 (5) of Council Decision 90/424/EEC on expenditure in the veterinary field, the Commission should adopt each year a list of programmes for the eradication and monitoring of animal diseases qualifying for a financial contribution from the Community for the following year, as well as the proposed rate and amount of the contribution for each programme. For the eradication and monitoring of animal diseases and the prevention of zoonoses for 2007, the Commission adopted Decision 2006/687/EC of 12 October 2006 on programmes for the eradication and monitoring of animal diseases, of certain TSEs, and for the prevention of zoonoses, which qualify for a Community financial contribution in 2007 that sets out the proposed rate and maximum amount of the Community s financial contribution for each programme submitted by the Member States and Decision 2006/875/EC and 2006/876/EC of 30 November 2006 approving programmes for the eradication and monitoring of animal diseases, of certain TSEs, and for the prevention of zoonoses presented by the Member States for the year These programmes involve financing different eligible measures up to a maximum per each programme. Based on the information on the expenditure foreseen for each programme by 31 December 2007 provided by the Member States, certain programmes will not use the full funding allocated to them and others will spend in excess of the allocated amount. This draft Decision proposes to amend Decisions 2006/687/EC, 2006/875/EC and 2005/876/EC to redistribute the surplus from the under-spending Member States in a proportionate manner and is based on the priorities for the programmes in The Slovak representative requested an increase on the amount set on the document and the Commission agreed. 16