Brussels, 14/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 14 may, the European Commission decided to take Belgium, Austria and Portugal before the European Court of Justice as they have not done what is necessary to comply with Directive 2006/88/EC. The directive lays down: - animal health requirements for the marketing, importation and transit of aquaculture animals and derived products; - minimum prevention and control measures to increase the level of preparedness of the relevant authorities, those in charge of aquaculture farms and other operators in the sector with regard to diseases in aquaculture animals; - and minimum measures to be implemented if there is a suspected or confirmed outbreak of certain diseases in aquatic animals.
EU member states had until 1 May 2008 to adopt and publish legislative, regulatory and administrative provisions to comply with the directive. In February this year, the Commission had sent reasoned opinions to each of the countries that had still not notified it of such measures. (L.C./transl.jl)