Presidential Decree No. 33 establishing measures for the control and eradication of bluetongue disease, in compliance with Council Directive 2000/75/EC.

This Decree lays down control rules and specific measures to combat and eradicate bluetongue, in implementation of Council Directive 2000/75/EC. If circulation of the bluetongue virus is suspected or confirmed, immediate and compulsory notification must be given to the competent authorities. If a holding located in a region not subject to restrictions, within the meaning of this Decree, has one or more animals suspected of being infected with bluetongue, the official methods of investigation shall be immediately implemented so as to confirm or rule out the presence of the disease. If the presence of bluetongue is officially confirmed, the rules and procedures for the destruction and incineration of infected animals and the demarcation of a protection and a surveillance zone, shall apply. The competent national laboratory is located at the Ministry of Agriculture (Centre of Athens Veterinary Institutions - Virus Department). Annex I defines the tasks and competencies that the laboratory is responsible for.