Commission Decision 2003/218/EC on protection and surveillance zones in relation to bluetongue, and on rules applicable to movements of animals in and from those zones and repealing Decision 2001/783/EC.

The purpose of this Decision is to establish restricted zones with a view to preventing the spread of bluetongue. Such restricted zones shall encompass protection and surveillance zones as per article 8 of Directive 2000/75/EC. Further rules hereby established lay down restrictions on movements in and from those zones of animals of species susceptible to bluetongue. Precisely, article 2 prohibits the dispatch and transit of live animals of species susceptible to bluetongue and their sperm, ova and embryos from or through the territories referred to in Annex I. However, article 3 lays down some exemptions for trade. The exemptions shall be applicable as long as the conditions laid down in Annex II are fulfilled. In addition, articles 4 and 5 lay down further exemptions for domestic movements and slaughtering respectively.