Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 196/2013 of 7 March 2013 amending Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 206/2010 as regards the new entry for Japan in the list of third countries or parts thereof from which imports into the European Union of certain fresh meat are authorised Text with EEA relevance
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 196/2013of 7 March 2013amending Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 206/2010 as regards the new entry for Japan in the list of third countries or parts thereof from which imports into the European Union of certain fresh meat are authorised(Text with EEA relevance)THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,Having regard to Council Directive 2002/99/EC of 16 December 2002 laying down the animal health rules governing the production, processing, distribution and introduction of products of animal origin for human consumptionOJ L 18, 23.1.2003, p. 11., and in particular the introductory phrase of Article 8, the first subparagraph of point (1) of Article 8 and point (4) of Article 8 thereof,Whereas:(1)Commission Regulation (EU) No 206/2010 of 12 March 2010 laying down lists of third countries, territories or parts thereof authorised for the introduction into the European Union of certain animals and fresh meat and the veterinary certification requirementsOJ L 73, 20.3.2010, p. 1. establishes sanitary conditions for the import of live animals and fresh meat thereof. According to Regulation (EU) No 206/2010 fresh meat intended for human consumption can only be imported if it comes from a territory of a third country or a part thereof listed in Part 1 of Annex II to that Regulation and meets the relevant requirements.(2)Japan requested to be listed for the import of fresh bovine meat into the Union and the Commission audit on bovine meat in Japan in 2008 confirmed that the requirements were met. The listing was, however, postponed when foot-and-mouth disease occurred in Japan in 2010.(3)Since then Japan eradicated the foot-and-mouth disease on its territory and was recognised as "free without vaccination" for this disease by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).(4)Japan thus provides sufficient animal health guarantees and has asked again to be included in the list of third countries authorised for the import of fresh bovine meat into the Union.(5)Japan should thus be allowed to import fresh bovine meat into the Union.(6)Part 1 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 206/2010 should therefore be amended accordingly.(7)The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: