L 337/94 Official Journal of the European Union 16.12.2008 COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 12 December 2008 implementing Council Directive 2006/88/EC as regards requirements for quarantine of aquaculture animals (notified under document number C(2008) 7905) (Text with EEA relevance) (2008/946EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries and amending Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675[EEC (1), and in particular the second subparagraph of Article 10(3) and the first subparagraph of Article 10(4) thereof, Having regard to Council Directive 2006/88/EC of 24 October 2006 on animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof, and on the prevention and control of certain diseases in aquatic animals (3, and in particular Articles 25 and 61(3) thereof, Whereas: (1) Pursuant to Article 16(1) of Directive 2006/88/EC aqua- culture animals of species susceptible to diseases listed in Part II of Annex IV to that Directive which are to be introduced for farming or restocking into a Member State, zone or compartment declared free of a specific disease must originate from a Member State, zone or compartment also declared free of that disease. Pursuant to Article 44(4) of that Directive, the same is to apply to areas subject to a surveillance or eradication programme with regard to a specific disease. (2)  Pursuant to Article 17(1) of Directive 2006/88/EC vector species to diseases listed in Part II of Annex IV to that () O] L 268, 24.9.1991, p. 56. 0] L 328, 24.11.2006, p. 14. Directive which are to be introduced for farming or restocking purposes into a Member State, zone or compartment declared free of a specific disease must either originate from another Member State, zone or compartment declared free of that disease or be held in quarantine in water free of the pathogen in question, for an appropriate period of time, where, in the light of the scientific data or practical experience provided, this proves to be sufficient to reduce the risk of transmission of the specific disease to a level acceptable for preventing the transmission of the disease concerned. Pursuant to Article 44(4) of Directive 2006/88/EC, the same is to apply to areas subject to a surveillance or eradication programme with regard to a specific disease. (3) A list of possible vector species to the diseases listed in Part II of Annex IV to Directive 2006/88/EC, including the conditions under which those species are to be regarded as vectors for the purpose of Article 17 of that Directive, is set out in Annex I to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1251/2008 of 12 December 2008 implementing  Directive ~ 2006/88/EC  as  regards conditions and certification requirements for the placing on the market and the import into the Community of aquaculture animals and products thereof and laying down a list of vector species (°). (4)  Article 20(1) of Directive 2006/88/EC provides, by way of derogation from Article 16 of that Directive, that the release of wild aquatic animals of species susceptible to diseases listed in Part II of Annex IV to that Directive, caught in a Member State, zone or compartment not declared free of a specific disease, in a Member State, zone or compartment declared free of that disease is subject to the placing of the wild aquatic animals in quarantine under the supervision of the competent authority in suitable facilities, for a period of time sufficient to reduce to an acceptable level the risk of transmission of the disease. Pursuant to Article 44(4) of Directive 2006/88/EC, the same is to apply to areas subject to a surveillance or eradication programme with regard to a specific disease. (®) See page 41 of this Official Journal.