L 115/18 Official Journal of the European Union 3.5.2007 COMMISSION DECISION of 23 April 2007 on protective measures with regard to equine infectious anaemia in Romania (notified under document number C(2007) 1652) (Text with EEA relevance) (2007/269/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products with a view to the completion of the internal market (!), and in particular Article 10(4) thereof, Whereas: (1) Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) is a viral disease affecting only animals of the family Equidae. Infection with EIA tends to become inapparent if death does not result from one of the acute clinical attacks. The incubation period is normally one to three weeks, but may be as long as three months. Infected equidae remain infectious for life and can potentially transmit the infection to other equidae. Transmission occurs by the transfer of blood from an infected equine animal most likely via inter- rupted feeding of bloodsucking horseflies, in utero to the foetus or by use of contaminated needles or infusion of blood products containing the virus. () EIA is a compulsorily notifiable disease in accordance with Annex A to Council Directive 90/426/EEC of 26 June 1990 on animal health conditions governing the movement and import from third countries of equidae (%). In addition, Council Directive 82/894/EEC of 21 December 1982 on the notification of animal diseases within the Community (3) provides that outbreaks of EIA are to be notified to the Commission and other Member States through the Animal Disease Notification System (ADNS). (3)  Article 4(5) of Directive 90/426/EEC provides for restrictions concerning the movement of equidae from holdings where the presence of EIA has been confirmed until, following the slaughter of the infected (") OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 29. Directive as last amended by Directive 2002/33[EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (O] L 315, 19.11.2002, p. 14). (3 OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 42. Directive as last amended by Directive 2006/104/EC (O] L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 352). () O] L 378, 31.12.1982, p. 58. Directive as last amended by Commission Decision 2004/216/EC (O] L 67, 5.3.2004, p. 27). ) O] L 358, 3.12.2004, animals, the remaining animals have undergone two Coggins tests with negative results. (4 Unlike in other Member States, EIA is endemic in Romania and immediate slaughter of infectious equidae is not implemented consistently. For this reason, Romania has voluntarily continued after accession to the European Union to implement mutatis mutandis the relevant measures provided for in Commission Decision 2004/825/EC of 29 November 2004 on protection measures with regard to imports of equidae from Romania (¥). (5) In view of the trade in live equidae, their semen, ova and embryos, the disease situation in Romania is liable to present an animal health risk for equidae in the Community. (6) It is therefore appropriate to adopt protective measures laying down a specific regime for the movement of and trade in equidae and equine ova and embryos that come from Romania in order to safeguard the health and welfare of equidae in Member States. (7  Commission Decision 93/623/EEC of 20 October 1993 establishing the identification document (passport) accompanying registered equidae °) and Commission Decision 2000/68/EC of 22 December 1999 amending Decision 93/623/EEC and establishing the identification of equidae for breeding and production (°) require equidae to be accompanied during their movements or transpor- tation by an identification document. (8)  The certification requirements for the movement and transport of equidae are laid down in Article 8 of Directive 90/426/EEC. In order to enhance the trace- ability of registered equidae from areas affected by EIA to other Member States, the attestation in accordance with Annex B to Directive 90/426/EEC should be replaced by animal health certification in accordance with Annex C to that Directive. p. 18. Decision repealed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1792/2006 (O] L 362, 20.12.2006, p. 1). () O] L 298, 3.12.1993, p. 45. Decision as amended by Decision 2000/68/EC (O] L 23, 28.1.2000, p. 72). (¥ O] L 23, 28.1.2000, p. 72.