Commission Regulation (EC) No 260/2005
of 16 February 2005
amending Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards rapid tests
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 laying down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies1, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 23 thereof,
Whereas:
Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 sets out a list of rapid tests approved for TSE monitoring.
In its opinion of 16 November 2004, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommended the inclusion of seven new BSE rapid post mortem tests in the list of rapid tests approved for monitoring of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).
The rapid tests currently listed in Annex X to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 have been approved for sheep based on data provided by the test manufacturers showing that their tests may also be used for monitoring of TSE in sheep.
The EFSA is currently evaluating rapid post mortem tests intended for small ruminants. A list of approved rapid tests for use in the surveillance programme for small ruminants is to be established on the basis of the opinion to be published. Accordingly, the currently approved rapid tests should be used for detecting TSE in small ruminants, until the publication of that opinion.
Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 should therefore be amended accordingly.
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: