Commission Decision

of 10 October 2002

amending for the second time Decision 2002/161/EC as regards the emergency vaccination of feral pigs against classical swine fever in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rheinland-Pfalz

(notified under document number C(2002) 3694)

(Only the German text is authentic)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2002/791/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 2001/89/EC of 23 October 2001 on Community measures for the control of classical swine fever(1), and in particular Articles 16(1), 20(1), 25(3) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) In April 2002 classical swine fever was confirmed in the feral pig population in North Rhine-Westphalia at the border with Rhineland-Pfalz in Germany.

(2) In accordance with Articles 16 and 20 of Directive 2001/89/EC, the German authorities have submitted plans for the eradication of classical swine fever and for the emergency vaccination of feral pigs in certain areas of North Rhine-Westphalia.

(3) The submitted plans have been approved by the Commission by means of Decision 2002/161/EC(2), amended by Decision 2002/531/EC(3).

(4) Due to the evolution of the disease in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany has requested to apply the emergency vaccination plan also in certain areas which have recently been concerned by the disease.

(5) It is therefore appropriate to amend the Annex to Decision 2002/161/EC to include in this Annex the new areas of North Rhine-Westphalia where vaccination will be applied and those areas within which the evolution of the disease will probably be influenced by the vaccination. It is also appropriate to introduce minor corrections to the description of the vaccination area of Rheinland-Pfalz.

(6) 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:

Article 1

The Annex to Decision 2002/161/EC is replaced by the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to the Federal Republic of Germany.

Done at Brussels, 10 October 2002.

For the Commission

David Byrne

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 316, 1.12.2001, p. 5.

(2) OJ L 53, 23.2.2002, p. 43.

(3) OJ L 172, 2.7.2002, p. 63.

ANNEX

Rheinland-Pfalz

Kreise Ahrweiler, Bernkastel-Wittlich, Bitburg-Pruem, Cochem-Zell, Daun, and Trier.

Kreis Trier-Saarburg: all areas east of the Saar river;

Koblenz and Kreis Mayen-Koblenz: all areas west of the Rhine river;

Kreis Birkenfeld: the Verbandsgemeinden Baumholder, Birkenfeld, Herrstein, Rhaunen;

Kreis Rhein-Hunsrueck: the Verbandsfreie Gemeinde Boppard and the Verbandsgemeinden Emmelshausen, Kastellaun, Kirchberg, Rheinboellen, Simmern and St. Goar-Oberwesel.

Saarland

Kreise Merzig-Wadern: Mettlach, Merzig, Beckingen, Losheim, Weiskirchen,Wadern;

Kreis Saarlouis: Dillingen, Bous, Ensdorf, Schwalbach, Saarwellingen, Nalbach, Lebach, Schmelz, Saarlouis;

Kreis Sankt Wendel: Nonnweiler, Nohfelden, Tholey.

North Rhine-Westphalia

Kreis Euskirchen: the Gemeinden of Schleiden, Dahlem, Blankenheim, Bad Muenstereifel and Euskirchen; the Gemeinde Hellenthal; the Gemeinde Kall; Mechernich; the Gemeinde Nettersheim;

Kreis Rhein-Sieg: Rheinbach, the Gemeinde Swisttal, Meckenheim;

Aachen;

Kreis Aachen: Monschau, Stollberg, Simmerath and Roetgen;

Kreis Dueren: Heimbach, Nideggen, Huertgenwald and Langerwehe.