31999D0623

COMMISSION DECISION

of 10 September 1999

amending Decision 1999/293/EC concerning certain protective measures against bluetongue in parts of Greece

(notified under document number C(1999) 2902)

(Only the Greek text is authentic)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(1999/623/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products with a view to the completion of the internal market(1), as last amended by Directive 92/118/EEC(2), and in particular Article 10(4) thereof,

(1) Whereas the Commission adopted Decision 1999/293/EC(3) concerning certain protective measures against bluetongue following outbreaks of that disease on certain islands in south-eastern Greece;

(2) Whereas a serological examination carried out in August 1999 in the prefectures of Evros and Rodopi has revealed that the bluetongue virus is circulating in that region of Greece;

(3) Whereas, in the absence of natural barriers, the disease vectors may actively spread or be transported on the wind for long distances;

(4) Whereas the movement of animals of susceptible species should be restricted so that virus-carrying animals cannot spread the disease;

(5) Whereas Decision 1999/293/EC should therefore be amended to include the prefectures of Evros, Rodopi and Xanthi;

(6) Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

In the first and second paragraphs of Article 1 of Decision 1999/293/EC the phrase "the Prefectures of Dodekanisa and Samos" is replaced by "the Prefectures of Dodekanisa, Samos, Evros, Rodopi and Xanthi".

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to the Hellenic Republic.

Done at Brussels, 10 September 1999.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 29.

(2) OJ L 62, 15.3.1993, p. 49.

(3) OJ L 114, 1.5.1999, p. 55.