The European Parliament adopted by 651 votes to 4, with 48 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 92/66/EEC introducing Community measures for the control of Newcastle disease.
The technical revision of Directive 92/66/EEC shall make it possible to use implementing acts to designate a new reference laboratory for Newcastle disease. Those implementing powers would be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on comitology.
For the sake of clarity, the proposed amending Directive sets out the competences and tasks of the European Union Reference Laboratory for Newcastle Disease and the criteria for contingency plans. These plans shall allow access to facilities, equipment, personnel and all other appropriate materials necessary for the rapid and efficient eradication of the outbreak of Newcastle disease. They shall give a precise indication of the vaccine requirements which each Member State deems necessary for emergency vaccination.
The Commission shall approve the contingency plans and any updates thereto, if necessary amended, in accordance with the examination procedure.
The European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure amends the Commission proposal to make it clear that the Directive should enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.