EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 02/10/COL of 5 January 2010 concerning the status of Norway with regard to infectious haematopoietic necrosis and viral haemorrhagic septicaemia and repealing the EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 302/08/COL of 21 May 2008

THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY,

HAVING REGARD to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, in particular Article 109 and Protocol 1 thereof,

HAVING REGARD to the Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice, in particular Article 5(2)(d) and Protocol 1 thereof,

HAVING REGARD to the Act referred to at point 4.1.5a of Chapter I of Annex I to the EEA Agreement,

Council Directive 2006/88/EC of 24 October 2006 on animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof, and on the prevention and control of certain diseases in aquatic animals⁽¹⁾,

as adapted by way of Protocol 1 to the EEA Agreement, in particular Article 50 of that Act,

Whereas:

1. By letter dated 3 May 1994 Norway submitted the appropriate justifications for granting, as far as infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN) and viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) are concerned, the status of approved zone to its territory, as well as the national rules ensuring compliance with the conditions to be respected for maintenance of the approved status.

2. By Decision of the Authority No 71/94/COL Norway was recognised as approved continental and coastal zone for fish with regard to IHN and VHS. Following notification of an outbreak of VHS in Møre og Romsdal County in Norway, on 26 November 2007, Decision No 71/94/COL, as last amended by the EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 244/02/COL, was repealed by Decision No 302/08/COL, which established that the parts of Norway referred to in the Annex to that Decision were recognised as approved continental zone and as approved coastal zone for fish with regard to IHN and VHS.

3. On 11 July 2008, an outbreak of VHS was confirmed in the coastal areas of Storfjorden in Norway. The competent authority in Norway has informed the Authority of the measures taken to eliminate the disease and to prevent its spread.

4. The Authority has assessed the information submitted to it by the competent authority in Norway and it appears, at this stage, that the measures taken are appropriate. Moreover, the Authority has discussed the matter with the European Commission and no changes have occurred in Norway with regards to IHN.

5. It is the opinion of the Authority that Norway, with the exception of the areas referred to in the Annex, should still be recognised as approved continental zone and approved coastal zone for fish with regard to IHN and VHS.

6. The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the EFTA Veterinary Committee assisting the EFTA Surveillance Authority,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: