COMMISSION DECISION

of 15 September 1999

amending Decision 1999/507/EC on certain protection measures with regard to certain fruit bats, dogs and cats coming from Malaysia (Peninsula) and Australia

(notified under document number C(1999) 2975)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(1999/643/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries and amending Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675/EEC(1), as last amended by Directive 96/43/EC(2), and in particular Article 18(7) thereof,

(1) Whereas by Decision 1999/507/EC(3) the Commission has adopted protection measures with regard to certain fruit bats, dogs and cats coming from Malaysia (Peninsula) and Australia with regard to Nipah respective Hendra disease; whereas the test requirements for cats imported from Australia must be modified so as to allow the use of a validated diagnostic test for the detection of antibody against the Hendra disease virus;

(2) Whereas this Decision is in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The second indent of paragraph 2 of Article 3 of Decision 1999/507/EC is amended as follows:

1. The words "IgM and IgG capture ELISA test" are replaced by the words "serum neutralisation test".

2. The words "10 days" are replaced by the words "14 days".

Article 2

Member States shall amend the measures they apply with regard to Australia to bring them into line with this Decision.

They shall inform the Commission thereof.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 15 September 1999.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 268, 24.9.1991, p. 56.

(2) OJ L 162, 1.7.1996, p. 1.

(3) OJ L 194, 27.7.1999, p. 66.