(1)

Directive 2003/85/EC sets out minimum control measures to be applied in the event of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and certain preventive measures aimed at increasing the awareness and preparedness of the competent authorities and the farming community concerning that disease.

(2)

The preventive measures set out in Directive 2003/85/EC include the provision that Member States are to ensure that the handling of the live foot-and-mouth disease virus for the manufacturing of either inactivated antigens for the production of vaccines or vaccines and related research is carried out only in approved laboratories listed in Part B of Annex XI to that Directive.

(3)

The competent authorities of Germany have officially informed the Commission of some changes relating to manufacturers of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines in this Member State. Germany has renewed the necessary security guarantees for the laboratory situated on its territory.

(4)

For security reasons it is important to keep the list of laboratories authorised to handle live foot-and-mouth disease virus for vaccine production in Directive 2003/85/EC updated.

(5)

Accordingly, it is necessary to replace the list of laboratories authorised to handle live foot-and-mouth disease virus for vaccine production in Part B of Annex XI to Directive 2003/85/EC by the list set out in the Annex to this Decision.

(6)

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