Commission Decision of 8 August 2008 on the temporary admission and imports into the Community of registered horses from South Africa (notified under document number C(2008) 4211) (Text with EEA relevance) (2008/698/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 90/426/EEC of 26 June 1990 on animal health conditions governing the movement and imports from third countries of equidae⁽¹⁾, and in particular Article 13(2) and Articles 14, 15, 16 and 19(i) thereof,

Whereas:

1. Commission Decision 97/10/EC of 12 December 1996 amending Council Decision 79/542/EEC and Commission Decisions 92/160/EEC, 92/260/EEC and 93/197/EEC in relation to the temporary admission and imports into the Community of registered horses from South Africa⁽²⁾ has been substantially amended several times⁽³⁾. In the interests of clarity and rationality the said Decision should be codified.

2. South Africa is included in Annex I to Commission Decision 2004/211/EC of 6 January 2004 establishing the list of third countries and parts of territory thereof from which Member States authorise imports of live equidae and semen, ova and embryos of the equine species, and amending Decisions 93/195/EEC and 94/63/EC⁽⁴⁾.

3. Following a Commission veterinary inspection mission to South Africa the animal health situation appears to be under the satisfactory control of well structured and organised veterinary services.

4. Dourine is endemic in certain parts of South Africa. However, the Western Cape Province has been free of dourine for more than six months. South Africa has been officially free of glanders, equine encephalomyelitis of all types, equine infectious anaemia and vesicular stomatitis for more than six months.

5. The veterinary authorities of South Africa have undertaken to notify electronically within 24 hours to the Commission and the Member States the confirmation of any infectious or contagious disease in equidae mentioned in Annex A to Directive 90/426/EEC and any change in the vaccination policy, and within an appropriate time, in the import policy in respect of equidae.

6. The veterinary authorities of South Africa have provided certain guarantees in respect of registered horses intended for temporary admission or permanent import into the Community.

7. The animal health conditions should be adopted in accordance with the animal health situation of the third country concerned. Due to necessary requirements in relation to movement control and quarantine within South Africa this Decision relates only to the temporary admission and imports of registered horses.

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: