Commission Decision

of 26 July 2004

amending Annexes I and II to Council Decision 79/542/EEC as regards model certificates relating to the importation of bovine animals for slaughter and bovine, ovine and caprine fresh meat

(notified under document number C(2004) 2838)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2004/620/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 72/462/EEC of 12 December 1972 on health and veterinary inspection problems upon importation of bovine, ovine and caprine animals and swine, fresh meat or meat products from third countries1, and in particular Article 11(2) thereof,

Having regard to Council Directive 2002/99/EC of 16 December 2002 laying down the animal health rules governing the production, processing, distribution and introduction of products of animal origin for human consumption2, and in particular Article 9(4) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

Council Decision 79/542/EEC of 21 December 1976 drawing up a list of third countries or parts of third countries, and laying down animal and public health and veterinary certification conditions, for importation into the Community of certain live animals and their fresh meat3 provides that imports of those animals and meat are to meet the requirements set out in the appropriate model certificates drawn up under that Decision.

(2)

For reasons of clarity and transparency, it is opportune to amend certain references and attestations in some of the model veterinary certificates in Part 2 of Annex I and in Part 2 of Annex II to Decision 79/542/EEC. For the same reasons, in Part 1 of Annex II the names of two Argentine provinces should be deleted and a supplementary guarantee related to Uruguay should be amended.

(3)

Annexes I and II to Decision 79/542/EEC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(4)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: