(1)

Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 lays down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in bovine, ovine and caprine animals. It applies to the production and placing on the market of live animals and products of animal origin and in certain specific cases to exports thereof.

(2)

Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 provides that the placing on the market or, if need be, the export of bovine, ovine or caprine animals and their semen, embryos and ova are subject to the conditions laid down in Annex VIII thereto. Point 3.1(a) of Section A of Chapter A of that Annex provides that a Member State which has a national control programme for classical scrapie (‘national programme’) covering all of its territory may submit its national programme to the Commission for approval. Point 3.1(b) of that Section provides that the Commission may approve that national programme if it complies with the criteria laid down in point 3.1(a) of that Section. Point 3.2 of that Section lists the Member States whose national programmes have been approved.

(3)

On 13 September 2016, Slovenia submitted to the Commission a request for approval of its national programme. On 8 January 2017, following requests for further information, Slovenia submitted an amended national programme, providing clarification and further information on certain aspects thereof. That amended national programme should be approved, as it complies with the criteria laid down in point 3.1(a) of Section A of Chapter A of Annex VIII to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001.

(4)

Point 3.2 of Section A of Chapter A of Annex VIII to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 should therefore be amended in order to add Slovenia to the list of Member States with approved national programmes.

(5)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,