THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community(1), and in particular points 16.2, 16.3 and 16.4 of Section I of Part A of Annex IV thereof,
Whereas:
(1) In order to permit the introduction of fruits of Citrus L., Fortunella Swingle, Poncirus Raf., and their hybrids from third countries into the Community or their movement within the Community under Directive 2000/29/EC, Commission Decision 98/83/EC of 8 January 1998 recognising certain third countries and certain areas of third countries as being free of Xanthomonas campestris (all strains pathogenic to Citrus), Cercospora angolensis Carv. et Mendes and Guignardia citricarpa Kiely (all strains pathogenic to Citrus)(2) recognised certain third countries and certain areas of third countries as being free from those harmful organisms.
(2) Since its adoption, Decision 98/83/EC has been amended several times. In the interest of clarity and rationality Decision 98/83/EC should, therefore, be repealed and replaced.
(3) New Zealand has submitted official information showing that its territory is free from Xanthomonas campestris and Guignardia citricarpa. New Zealand should therefore be recognised as being free from those harmful organisms.
(4) South Africa has submitted official information showing that the magisterial districts of Hartswater and Warrenton in Northern Cape are free from Guignardia citricarpa. These districts of South Africa should therefore be recognised as being free from this harmful organism.
(5) Australia has submitted information indicating that Queensland is no longer free from Xanthomonas campestris. Queensland should therefore no longer be recognised as being free from that harmful organism.
(6) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plant Health,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Editorial Information
X1 Substituted by Corrigendum to Commission Decision of 5 July 2006 recognising certain third countries and certain areas of third countries as being free from Xanthomonas campestris (all strains pathogenic to Citrus), Cercospora angolensis Carv. et Mendes and Guignardia citricarpa Kiely (all strains pathogenic to Citrus) (Official Journal of the European Union L 187 of 8 July 2006).
OJ L 169, 10.7.2000, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 2006/35/EC (OJ L 88, 25.3.2006, p. 9).
OJ L 15, 21.1.1998, p. 41. Decision as last amended by Decision 2003/129/EC (OJ L 51, 26.2.2003, p. 21).