14.2.2014

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 44/45

(1)

Directive 2006/88/EC lays down, inter alia, certain animal health rules applicable to aquaculture animals and products thereof, including specific provisions concerning the exotic and non-exotic diseases and species susceptible thereto, listed in Part II of Annex IV to that Directive.

(2)

Section B of Part I of Annex IV to Directive 2006/88/EC sets out the criteria to be fulfilled in order for a disease to be listed as a non-exotic disease in Part II of that Annex. Infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) is currently included in that list.

(3)

In May 2013 the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) amended Chapter 10.5. of the Aquatic Animal Health Code (OIE Aquatic Code) as regards ISA. According to the revised OIE Aquatic Code (16th Edition 2013), ISA is defined as an infection with genotype HPR-deleted or genotype HPR0 (non-deleted highly polymorphic region) of the genus Isavirus (ISAV) of the family Orthomyxoviridae. Furthermore, both genotypes are now notifiable in accordance with Article 1.3.1. and 10.5.1 of the OIE Aquatic Code. Before that revision no distinction was made between the two genotypes of ISAV.

(4)

Only infections with genotype HPR-deleted of the genus ISAV fulfil the criteria set out in Section B of Part I of Annex IV to Directive 2006/88/EC. Consequently, only infections with genotype HPR-deleted of the genus ISAV should be listed in Part II of Annex IV to Directive 2006/88/EC. For the purpose of Directive 2006/88/EC, infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) should therefore be defined as an infection with genotype HPR-deleted of the genus ISAV.

(5)

Part II of Annex IV to Directive 2006/88/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(6)

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