Commission Decision of 6 October 2006 amending Decision 2003/858/EC as regards the list of territories from which importation of certain species of live fish, their eggs and gametes intended for farming in the European Community is authorised (notified under document number C(2006) 4361) (Text with EEA relevance) (2006/680/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 91/67/EEC of 28 January 1991 concerning the animal health conditions governing the placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products⁽¹⁾, and in particular Article 19(1) thereof,

Whereas:

1. Commission Decision 2003/858/EC of 21 November 2003 laying down the animal health conditions and certification requirements for imports of live fish, their eggs and gametes intended for farming, and live fish of aquaculture origin and products thereof intended for human consumption⁽²⁾, establishes a list of third countries or parts thereof from which imports of live fish, their eggs and gametes intended for farming in the Community are authorised.

2. In March 2006, Community veterinary experts undertook an on-the-spot inspection in Albania to verify the compliance with Decision 2003/858/EC.

3. The findings made during that inspection show that Albania cannot provide for the necessary animal health guarantees for export into the Community of live fish, their eggs and gametes intended for farming.

4. Since such import into the Community could seriously jeopardise the aquatic animal health situation in the Community, Albania should be deleted from the list of third countries from which Member States are authorised to import live fish, their eggs and gametes intended for farming in the Community set out in Annex I to Decision 2003/858/EC.

5. Decision 2003/858/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: