EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY DECISION

No 265/12/COL

of 5 July 2012

to approve the contingency plan for listed exotic diseases in aquatic animals submitted by Norway

2012/C 340/03

THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY,

Having regard to the Act referred to at point 8a of Part 3.1 of Chapter I of Annex I to the EEA Agreement,

Council Directive 2006/88/EC of 24 October 2006 on animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof, and on the prevention and control of certain diseases in aquatic animals (1), as corrected and amended,

Having regard to College Decision No 259/12/COL empowering the competent College Member to adopt this Decision,

Whereas:

In accordance with Article 47(1) of Directive 2006/88/EC, Norway has drawn up a contingency plan for listed exotic diseases in aquatic animals.

On 30 June 2011, as required by Article 47(4) of Directive 2006/88/EC, Norway submitted the contingency plan for the Authority’s approval.

The Authority has, in close cooperation with the European Commission, examined the contingency plan for listed exotic diseases in aquatic animals.

Furthermore, in April 2012, the Authority carried out a mission to Norway on contingency plans.

The Authority’s examination and the investigations carried out during the mission to Norway show that the contingency plan submitted by Norway fulfils the requirements of Article 47 and Annex VII to Directive 2006/88/EC.

The Authority, by its Decision No 259/12/COL, referred the matter to the EFTA Veterinary Committee assisting the EFTA Surveillance Authority. The Committee approved unanimously the proposal put forward by the Authority. Consequently, the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the unanimous opinion of the EFTA Veterinary Committee assisting the EFTA Surveillance Authority and the final text of the measures remains unchanged.

It is therefore appropriate to approve the contingency plan for listed exotic diseases in aquatic animals submitted by Norway,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The contingency plan for listed exotic diseases in aquatic animals submitted by Norway is hereby approved.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on 5 July 2012.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to Norway.

Article 4

This Decision shall be authentic in the English language.

(1)  OJ L 328, 24.11.2006, p. 14 and EEA Supplement No 32, 17.6.2010, p. 1 in Icelandic and No 35, 23.6.2011, p. 44 in Norwegian.