(1)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007 (2) lays down rules for the control, monitoring, surveillance and restrictions on movements of animals, in relation to bluetongue, in and from the restricted zones.

(2)

Article 8(1) of that Regulation provides that movements of animals, their semen, ova and embryos, from a holding or semen collection or storage centre located in a restricted zone to another holding or semen collection or storage centre are to be exempted from the exit ban provided for in Directive 2000/75/EC, subject to the requirement that the animals, their semen, ova and embryos comply with certain conditions set out in that Article.

(3)

In addition, as a transitional measure, Article 9a of Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007 provides that, until 31 December 2009, Member States of destination may require that the movement of certain animals which are covered by the exemption provided for in Article 8(1) of that Regulation be subjected to additional conditions, on the basis of a risk assessment taking into account the entomological and epidemiological conditions in which animals are being introduced.

(4)

The overall disease situation in the Community as regards bluetongue has improved considerably in 2009. However the virus is still present in parts of the Community.

(5)

In addition, the effectiveness of the measures laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007 is influenced by a combination of factors. Those factors include the vector species, climate conditions and the type of husbandry of the susceptible ruminants.

(6)

It is therefore appropriate to continue to apply the transitional measure set out in Article 9a of Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007, taking into account that the disease situation is not stable and still evolving. Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(7)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,