17.12.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 333/60

(1)

Commission Decision 2003/322/EC of 12 May 2003 implementing Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the feeding of certain necrophagous birds with certain Category 1 materials (2) lays down conditions for the authorisation of the feeding of certain endangered or protected species of necrophagous birds by certain Member States.

(2)

That Decision lists the Member States authorised to make use of that possibility, the species of necrophagous birds which may be fed with the Category 1 material, and the implementing rules under which the feeding may take place.

(3)

Greece and Italy have submitted requests for the extension of the list of species on their respective territories to which the Category 1 material may be fed. Both countries have submitted satisfactory information concerning the occurrence of those species on their respective territories.

(4)

Feeding of animal carcasses to the listed species should continue to be carried out in accordance with the implementing rules laid down in Decision 2003/322/EC. Those rules have been adopted in recognition of the special feeding patterns of certain endangered or protected species in their natural habitat, in the interest of biodiversity. However, feeding of carcasses under those rules does not constitute an alternative means of disposal under Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002.

(5)

Decision 2003/322/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(6)

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

1.

point (a) is replaced by the following:

2.

point (d) is replaced by the following: