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2006/148/EC: Commission Decision of 24 February 2006 on introducing preventive vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 and related provisions for movements in France (notified under document number C(2006) 632)


Published: 2006-02-24

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25.2.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 55/51


COMMISSION DECISION

of 24 February 2006

on introducing preventive vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 and related provisions for movements in France

(notified under document number C(2006) 632)

(Only the French text is authentic)

(2006/148/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 2005/94/EC of 20 December 2005 on Community measures for the control of avian influenza and repealing Directive 92/40/EEC (1), and in particular, Article 57(2) thereof;

Whereas:

(1)

Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease in poultry and birds, causing mortality and disturbances which can quickly take epizootic proportions liable to present a serious threat to animal health and under certain circumstances to human health. There is a risk that the disease agent might be spread to other holdings thus reducing sharply the profitability of poultry farming, to wild birds and from one Member State to other Member States and third countries through the international trade in live birds or their products.

(2)

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus of subtype H5N1 has been isolated from wild birds in certain parts of the Community and in third countries adjacent to the Community or populated by migratory birds during winter. The likelihood of virus introduction with wild birds is increasing during the forthcoming migratory season.

(3)

Early detection systems and biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of transmission of avian influenza to poultry flocks are in place in France.

(4)

In its opinion on ‘Animal health and welfare aspects of avian influenza’ of 20 September 2005 the Animal Health and Welfare Panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends that preventive vaccination can be considered if a high risk of virus introduction is identified in densely populated poultry areas. However, such a practice should not jeopardise the strict biosecurity and other measures that should be in force in such areas aimed at eradicating any introduction of virus.

(5)

On 21 February 2006, France has submitted to the Commission for approval a plan for preventive vaccination in the light of the particular risk of introduction of avian influenza in certain areas of its territory. The Commission has immediately examined this plan in collaboration with France and deems that after certain adaptations it is in conformity with the relevant Community provisions. It appears therefore appropriate to approve this plan.

(6)

According to this plan France intends to vaccinate ducks and geese against highly pathogenic avain influenza H5N1. This should be considered as a ‘pilot project’ since there is limited experience with preventive vaccination in these species.

(7)

Only vaccines authorised in accordance with Directive 2001/82/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to veterinary medicinal products (2) or Regulation No 726/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 laying down Community procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human and veterinary use and establishing a European Medicines Agency (3) should be used.

(8)

Where preventive vaccination is carried out in France monitoring on vaccinated and unvaccinated poultry flocks and movement restrictions for vaccinated birds have to be implemented.

(9)

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

Subject matter, scope and definitions

1.   This Decision lays down certain measures to be applied in France where preventive vaccination is carried out in certain poultry holdings in defined areas at particular risk for introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 including provisions for movements of vaccinated poultry and certain products derived thereof.

2.   For the purpose of this Decision the definitions in Article 2 of Council Directive 2005/94/EC shall apply as appropriate.

Article 2

Approval of the vaccination programme

1.   The plan for preventive vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, submitted by France to the Commission on 21 February 2006, is approved (‘the preventive vaccination plan’).

The preventive vaccination shall be carried out with inactivated heterologous vaccine of avian influenza subtypes H5 authorised by France in ducks and geese in the areas listed in the Annex (‘the preventive vaccination areas’).

2.   Intensive monitoring and surveillance, as set out in the preventive vaccination plan shall be carried out in the preventive vaccination areas.

3.   The preventive vaccination plan shall be implemented efficiently.

4.   The Commission shall publish the preventive vaccination plan.

Article 3

Provisions for movements of live poultry, hatching eggs, day-old chicks, fresh poultry meat, minced meat, meat preparations, mechanically separated meat and meat products

Provisions for movements of live poultry and hatching eggs coming from and/or originating from holdings in which preventive vaccination is carried out and on movement of day-old chicks and fresh poultry meat, minced meat, meat preparations, mechanically separated meat and meat products derived from poultry vaccinated in accordance with the preventive vaccination plan shall meet the requirements laid down in Article 4 to 9 of this Decision.

Article 4

Provisions for movements and dispatch of live poultry, hatching eggs and day-old chicks

1.   The competent authority shall ensure that vaccinated poultry may only be moved from its holding to:

(a)

other holdings where vaccination is carried out; or

(b)

other holdings where only vaccinated poultry are kept; or

(c)

other holdigns where complete separation between vaccinated and non vaccinated poultry can be ensured; or

(d)

a slaughterhouse for immediate slaughter,

within France.

2.   No vaccinated live poultry, hatching eggs and day-old chicks originating from such poultry shall be dispatched from France.

3.   No live poultry, hatching eggs and day-old chicks originating from holdings where vaccination has been carried out or from the holdings referred to in paragraph 1(a), 1(b) or 1(c) shall be dispatched from France.

Article 5

Health certification for intra-Community trade for consignments of live poultry, day-old chicks and hatching eggs

Health certificates for intra-Community trade in live poultry, day-old chicks and hatching eggs from France shall include the words:

‘The consignment consists of live poultry/day-old chicks/hatching eggs originating from holdings where no vaccination against avian influenza has been carried out’.

Article 6

Provisions for dispatch of fresh meat of poultry, minced meat, meat preparations, mechanically separated meat and meat products

1.   The competent authority shall ensure that fresh meat derived from vaccinated poultry in France is only placed on the market provided that the meat comes from poultry which:

(a)

originate from holdings which have been regularly inspected and tested with negative results for highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in accordance with ‘the preventive vaccination plan’, with particular attention paid to sentinel birds;

(b)

originate from flocks which have been clinically inspected by an official veterinarian within 48 hours before loading, with particular attention paid to sentinel birds;

(c)

are kept separated from other flocks which do not comply with Article 4 and with this Article; and

(d)

that the meat has been produced in accordance with Annex II and Sections II and III of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 (4) and controlled in accordance with Sections I, II, III, and Chapters V and VII of Section IV of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 (5);

2.   The competent authority shall ensure that minced meat, meat preparations, mechanically separated meat and meat products containing meat derived from vaccinated ducks and geese flocks is only dispatched from France if the meat complies with paragraph (1) and are produced in accordance with Sections V and VI of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004.

Article 7

Commercial documents for fresh meat of poultry, minced meat, meat preparations, mechanically separated meat and meat products

France shall ensure that fresh meat of poultry, minced meat, meat preparations, mechanically separated meat and meat products complying with the conditions set out in Article 6 is accompanied by commercial documents stating:

‘The consignment complies with the animal health conditions laid down in Commission Decision 2006/148/EC.’

Article 8

Information to Member States

France shall inform in advance the central veterinary authority in the Member State of destination on movements of consignments referred to in Article 7.

Article 9

Washing and disinfection of packaging and means of transport

France shall ensure that the following measures are taken on holdings, located in areas as listed in the Annex, where preventive vaccination is carried out:

(a)

only disposable packaging material, or packaging material which can be effectively washed and disinfected, is used for the collection, storage and transport of hatching eggs and day-old chicks;

(b)

all means of transport used for transporting live poultry, hatching eggs, day-old poultry, fresh poultry meat, minced meat, meat preparations, mechanically separated meat and meat products and poultry feedstuff are cleaned and disinfected immediately before and after each transport with disinfectants and methods of use approved by the competent authority.

Article 10

Penalties

France shall lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of provisions of this Decision and shall take all the measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. France shall notify those provisions to the Commission by 7 March 2006 at the latest and shall notify the Commission of any subsequent amendments thereof.

Article 11

Reports

France shall submit a report containing information on the effectiveness of the preventive vaccination plan to the Commission within one month from the date of application of this Decision and give monthly reports at the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health starting as from 7 March 2006.

Article 12

Review of measures

The measures shall be reviewed in the light of the development of the epidemiological situation and new information becoming available.

Article 13

Addressee

This Decision is addressed to the French Republic.

Done at Brussels, 24 February 2006.

For the Commission

Markos KYPRIANOU

Member of the Commission


(1)  OJ L 10, 14.1.2006, p. 16.

(2)  OJ L 311, 28.11.2001, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 2004/28/EC (OJ L 136, 30.4.2004, p. 58).

(3)  OJ L 136, 30.4.2004, p. 1.

(4)  OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 55. Corrected version in OJ L 226, 25.6.2004, p. 22. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2076/2005 (OJ L 338, 22.12.2005, p. 83).

(5)  OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 206. Corrected version in OJ L 226, 25.6.2004, p. 83. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2076/2005 (OJ L 338, 22.12.2005, p. 83).


ANNEX

AREAS WHERE PREVENTIVE VACCINATION AGAINST AVIAN INFLUENZA IS CARRIED OUT IN CERTAIN DUCK AND GEESE HOLDINGS

List of communes

DÉPARTEMENT DES LANDES

 

AIRE-SUR-L'ADOUR

 

ANGRESSE

 

ARBOUCAVE

 

ARTASSENX

 

ARTHEZ-D'ARMAGNAC

 

AUBAGNAN

 

AUDIGNON

 

BAHUS-SOUBIRAN

 

BASCONS

 

BAS-MAUCO

 

BATS

 

BÉNESSE-MAREMNE

 

BENQUET

 

BETBEZER-D'ARMAGNAC

 

BIARROTTE

 

BIAUDOS

 

BISCARROSSE

 

BORDÈRES-ET-LAMENSANS

 

BOSTENS

 

BOUGUE

 

BOURDALAT

 

BRETAGNE-DE-MARSAN

 

BUANES

 

CAPBRETON

 

CASTANDET

 

CASTELNAU-TURSAN

 

CAZÈRES-SUR-L'ADOUR

 

CLASSUN

 

CLÈDES

 

COUDURES

 

CRÉON-D'ARMAGNAC

 

DUHORT-BACHEN

 

DUMES

 

ESCALANS

 

ESTIGARDE

 

EUGÉNIE-LES-BAINS

 

EYRES-MONCUBE

 

FARGUES

 

FRÈCHE (LE)

 

GABARRET

 

GAILLÈRES

 

GEAUNE

 

GRENADE-SUR-L'ADOUR

 

HAGETMAU

 

HAUT-MAUCO

 

HERRÉ

 

HONTANX

 

HORSARRIEU

 

LABASTIDE-CHALOSSE

 

LABASTIDE-D'ARMAGNAC

 

LABENNE

 

LACAJUNTE

 

LACQUY

 

LACRABE

 

LAGLORIEUSE

 

LAGRANGE

 

LARRIVIÈRE

 

LATRILLE

 

LAURET

 

LOSSE

 

LUSSAGNET

 

MANT

 

MAURIES

 

MAURRIN

 

MAUVEZIN-D'ARMAGNAC

 

MAZEROLLES

 

MIRAMONT-SENSACQ

 

MOMUY

 

MONGET

 

MONSÉGUR

 

MONT-DE-MARSAN

 

MONTÉGUT

 

MONTGAILLARD

 

MONTSOUÉ

 

MORGANX

 

ONDRES

 

ORX

 

PARLEBOSCQ

 

PAYROS-CAZAUTETS

 

PÉCORADE

 

PERQUIE

 

PEYRE

 

PHILONDENX

 

PIMBO

 

PORT-DE-LANNE

 

POUDENX

 

POUYDESSEAUX

 

PUJO-LE-PLAN

 

PUYOL-CAZALET

 

RENUNG

 

RIMBEZ-ET-BAUDIETS

 

SAINT-AGNET

 

SAINT-ANDRÉ-DE-SEIGNANX

 

SAINT-BARTHÉLEMY

 

SAINTE-COLOMBE

 

SAINT-CRICQ-VILLENEUVE

 

SAINT-ÉTIENNE-D'ORTHE

 

SAINTE-FOY

 

SAINT-GEIN

 

SAINT-JEAN-DE-MARSACQ

 

SAINT-JULIEN-D'ARMAGNAC

 

SAINT-JUSTIN

 

SAINT-LAURENT-DE-GOSSE

 

SAINT-LOUBOUER

 

SAINTE-MARIE-DE-GOSSE

 

SAINT-MARTIN-DE-HINX

 

SAINT-MARTIN-DE-SEIGNANX

 

SAINT-MAURICE-SUR-L'ADOUR

 

SAINT-PIERRE-DU-MONT

 

SAINT-SEVER

 

SAINT-VINCENT-DE-TYROSSE

 

SAMADET

 

SANGUINET

 

SARRAZIET

 

SARRON

 

SAUBION

 

SAUBRIGUES

 

SERRES-GASTON

 

SOORTS-HOSSEGOR

 

SORBETS

 

TARNOS

 

URGONS

 

VIELLE-TURSAN

 

VIGNAU (LE)

 

VILLENEUVE-DE-MARSAN

DÉPARTEMENT DE LA LOIRE-ATLANTIQUE

 

ARTHON-EN-RETZ

 

ASSÉRAC

 

AVESSAC

 

BASSE-GOULAINE

 

BAULE-ESCOUBLAC (LA)

 

BATZ-SUR-MER

 

BERNERIE-EN-RETZ (LA)

 

BESNÉ

 

BIGNON (LE)

 

BLAIN

 

BOUAYE

 

BOUÉE

 

BOUGUENAIS

 

BOURGNEUF-EN-RETZ

 

BOUVRON

 

BRAINS

 

CAMPBON

 

CARQUEFOU

 

CHAPELLE-DES-MARAIS (LA)

 

CHAPELLE-GLAIN (LA)

 

CHAPELLE-LAUNAY (LA)

 

CHAPELLE-SUR-ERDRE (LA)

 

CHAUVÉ

 

CHEIX-EN-RETZ

 

CHÉMÉRÉ

 

CHEVROLIÈRE (LA)

 

CONQUÉREUIL

 

CORDEMAIS

 

CORSEPT

 

COUËRON

 

CROISIC (LE)

 

CROSSAC

 

DONGES

 

DREFFÉAC

 

FAY-DE-BRETAGNE

 

FÉGRÉAC

 

FRESNAY-EN-RETZ

 

FROSSAY

 

GÂVRE (LE)

 

GENESTON

 

GRIGONNAIS (LA)

 

GUÉMÉNÉ-PENFAO

 

GUENROUET

 

GUÉRANDE

 

HERBIGNAC

 

INDRE

 

JUIGNÉ-DES-MOUTIERS

 

LIMOUZINIÈRE (LA)

 

LAVAU-SUR-LOIRE

 

MACHECOUL

 

MALVILLE

 

MARNE (LA)

 

MARSAC-SUR-DON

 

MASSÉRAC

 

MESQUER

 

MISSILLAC

 

MONTAGNE (LA)

 

MONTOIR-DE-BRETAGNE

 

MOUTIERS-EN-RETZ (LES)

 

NANTES

 

NOTRE-DAME-DES-LANDES

 

ORVAULT

 

PAIMBOEUF

 

PELLERIN (LE)

 

PIERRIC

 

PIRIAC-SUR-MER

 

PLAINE-SUR-MER (LA)

 

PLESSÉ

 

PONT-CHÂTEAU

 

PONT-SAINT-MARTIN

 

PORNIC

 

PORNICHET

 

PORT-SAINT-PÈRE

 

POULIGUEN (LE)

 

PRÉFAILLES

 

PRINQUIAU

 

QUILLY

 

REZÉ

 

ROUANS

 

SAINT-AIGNAN-GRANDLIEU

 

SAINT-ANDRÉ-DES-EAUX

 

SAINTE-ANNE-SUR-BRIVET

 

SAINT-BRÉVIN-LES-PINS

 

SAINT-COLOMBAN

 

SAINT-ÉTIENNE-DE-MONTLUC

 

SAINT-GILDAS-DES-BOIS

 

SAINT-HERBLAIN

 

SAINT-HILAIRE-DE-CHALÉONS

 

SAINT-JEAN-DE-BOISEAU

 

SAINT-JOACHIM

 

SAINT-JULIEN-DE-VOUVANTES

 

SAINT-LÉGER-LES-VIGNES

 

SAINTE-LUCE-SUR-LOIRE

 

SAINT-LUMINE-DE-COUTAIS

 

SAINT-LYPHARD

 

SAINT-MALO-DE-GUERSAC

 

SAINT-MARS-DE-COUTAIS

 

SAINT-MÊME-LE-TENU

 

SAINT-MICHEL-CHEF-CHEF

 

SAINT-MOLF

 

SAINT-NAZAIRE

 

SAINT-NICOLAS-DE-REDON

 

SAINTE-PAZANNE

 

SAINT-PÈRE-EN-RETZ

 

SAINT-PHILBERT-DE-GRAND-LIEU

 

SAINTE-REINE-DE-BRETAGNE

 

SAINT-SÉBASTIEN-SUR-LOIRE

 

SAINT-VIAUD

 

SAUTRON

 

SAVENAY

 

SÉVERAC

 

SORINIÈRES (LES)

 

TEMPLE-DE-BRETAGNE (LE)

 

TREILLIÈRES

 

TRIGNAC

 

TURBALLE (LA)

 

VAY

 

VERTOU

 

VIGNEUX-DE-BRETAGNE

 

VUE

DÉPARTEMENT DE LA VENDÉE

 

AIGUILLON-SUR-MER (L')

 

AIGUILLON-SUR-VIE (L')

 

ANGLES

 

AUZAY

 

AVRILLÉ

 

BARBÂTRE

 

BARRE-DE-MONTS (LA)

 

BEAUVOIR-SUR-MER

 

BENET

 

BERNARD (LE)

 

BESSAY

 

BOIS-DE-CÉNÉ

 

BOISSIÈRE-DES-LANDES (LA)

 

BOUILLÉ-COURDAULT

 

BOUIN

 

BREM-SUR-MER

 

BRÉTIGNOLLES-SUR-MER

 

BRETONNIÈRE (LA)

 

CHAILLÉ-LES-MARAIS

 

CHAILLÉ-SOUS-LES-ORMEAUX

 

CHAIX

 

CHAIZE-GIRAUD (LA)

 

CHAPELLE-ACHARD (LA)

 

CHAMPAGNÉ-LES-MARAIS

 

CHAMP-SAINT-PÈRE (LE)

 

CHASNAIS

 

CHÂTEAU-D'OLONNE

 

CHÂTEAU-GUIBERT

 

CHÂTEAUNEUF

 

CLAYE (LA)

 

CORPE

 

COUTURE (LA)

 

CURZON

 

DAMVIX

 

DOIX

 

ÉPINE (L')

 

FAUTE-SUR-MER (LA)

 

FENOUILLER (LE)

 

FONTAINES

 

FONTENAY-LE-COMTE

 

GIROUARD (LE)

 

GIVRAND

 

GIVRE (LE)

 

GROSBREUIL

 

GRUES

 

GUÉ-DE-VELLUIRE (LE)

 

GUÉRINIÈRE (LA)

 

ÎLE-D'ELLE (L')

 

ÎLE-D'OLONNE (L')

 

JARD-SUR-MER

 

JONCHÈRE (LA)

 

LAIROUX

 

LANDEVIEILLE

 

LANGON (LE)

 

LIEZ

 

LONGÈVES

 

LONGEVILLE-SUR-MER

 

LUÇON

 

MAGNILS-REIGNIERS (LES)

 

MAILLÉ

 

MAILLEZAIS

 

MAREUIL-SUR-LAY-DISSAIS

 

MAZEAU (LE)

 

MONTREUIL

 

MOREILLES

 

MOTHE-ACHARD (LA)

 

MOUTIERS-LES-MAUXFAITS

 

MOUTIERS-SUR-LE-LAY

 

MOUZEUIL-SAINT-MARTIN

 

NALLIERS

 

NIEUL-LE-DOLENT

 

NIEUL-SUR-L'AUTISE

 

NOIRMOUTIER-EN-L'ÎLE

 

NOTRE-DAME-DE-MONTS

 

OLONNE-SUR-MER

 

ORBRIE (L')

 

OULMES

 

PÉAULT

 

PERRIER (LE)

 

PETOSSE

 

PISSOTTE

 

POIRÉ-SUR-VELLUIRE (LE)

 

POIROUX

 

POUILLÉ

 

PUYRAVAULT

 

ROSNAY

 

SABLES-D'OLONNE (LES)

 

SAINT-AUBIN-LA-PLAINE

 

SAINT-AVAUGOURD-DES-LANDES

 

SAINT-BENOIST-SUR-MER

 

SAINT-CYR-EN-TALMONDAIS

 

SAINT-DENIS-DU-PAYRÉ

 

SAINT-ÉTIENNE-DE-BRILLOUET

 

SAINTE-FOY

 

SAINTE-GEMME-LA-PLAINE

 

SAINT-GERVAIS

 

SAINT-GILLES-CROIX-DE-VIE

 

SAINTE-HERMINE

 

SAINT-HILAIRE-DE-RIEZ

 

SAINT-HILAIRE-DES-LOGES

 

SAINT-HILAIRE-LA-FORÊT

 

SAINT-JEAN-DE-BEUGNÉ

 

SAINT-JEAN-DE-MONTS

 

SAINT-JULIEN-DES-LANDES

 

SAINT-MARTIN-DE-FRAIGNEAU

 

SAINT-MATHURIN

 

SAINT-MICHEL-EN-L'HERM

 

SAINT-MICHEL-LE-CLOUCQ

 

SAINTE-PEXINE

 

SAINT-PIERRE-LE-VIEUX

 

SAINTE-RADEGONDE-DES-NOYERS

 

SAINT-RÉVÉREND

 

SAINT-SIGISMOND

 

SAINT-URBAIN

 

SAINT-VINCENT-SUR-GRAON

 

SAINT-VINCENT-SUR-JARD

 

SALLERTAINE

 

SÉRIGNÉ

 

TABLIER (LE)

 

TAILLÉE (LA)

 

TALMONT-SAINT-HILAIRE

 

TRANCHE-SUR-MER (LA)

 

TRIAIZE

 

VAIRÉ

 

VELLUIRE

 

VIX

 

VOUILLÉ-LES-MARAIS

 

XANTON-CHASSENON