Directive 2006/88/EC lays down minimum control measures to be applied in the event of suspicion of, or an outbreak of certain diseases in aquatic animals. In addition, Part II of Annex IV to that Directive lists certain exotic and non-exotic diseases.

Article 10(1) of Directive 2006/88/EC provides that Member States are to ensure that a risk-based animal health surveillance scheme is applied in all farms and mollusc farming areas, as appropriate for the type of production. Such schemes are to take account of guidelines to be drawn up in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 10(4) of that Directive.

Pursuant to Directive 2006/88/EC, the aim of the animal health surveillance schemes is to detect any increased mortality in all farms and mollusc farming areas, as appropriate for the type of production, as well as to detect the diseases listed in Part II of Annex IV to that Directive, in farms and mollusc farming areas where species susceptible to those diseases are present. In addition, pursuant to Part B of Annex III to Directive 2006/88/EC, inspections carried out as part of such schemes also aim at advising the aquaculture production business operators on aquatic animal health issues, and where needed, at undertaking the necessary veterinary measures.

Due to the diversity of the aquaculture industry in the Community, the risk-based animal health surveillance schemes need to be adapted to the structure of that industry and to the animal health situation in each Member State. The guidelines to be taken into account by the Member States for the purpose of such schemes should therefore be limited to giving general guidance.

It is therefore appropriate to lay down the guidelines to be taken into account for the purpose of the risk-based animal health surveillance schemes in this Decision.

The measures laid down in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,