Prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs)

The Commission supports the common position by the Council, which has been adopted by unanimity by the Council. The Commission notes that the common position accepts a large majority of the amendments adopted by the European Parliament and includes in its amended proposal. One of the amendments not respected fully concerns the scrapie trade provisions on which the Council is divided. The Commission accepted in its first reading to reinforce the scrapie trade rules as requested by the European Parliament. But the Presidency text contains a compromise presenting only a slight reinforcement from the current rules (3 instead of a 2-year statutory scrapie freedom for flocks or origin) together with recognition of national eradication programmes. The absence of of either scientific or international guidance on scrapie prevention renders this compromise an acceptable temporary solution. Future adoption of implementing rules on scrapie on the basis of this Regulation will assure quick implementation of new scientific advice or the draft OIE scrapie Code to be presented for adoption in May 2001. The Commission can accept the Presidency compromise in view of the importance of having the legal base created enabling speedy future action on scrapie. �