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 countries, and in particular Article 11(2) thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 91/68/EEC of 28 January 1991 on animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade in ovine and caprine animals, and in particular Article 14(2) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
The model of veterinary certificate for intra-Community trade in ovine and caprine animals for breeding is laid down as model III of Annex E to Directive 91/68/EEC.
(2)
The model of veterinary certificate for imports of domestic ovine and caprine animals from third countries is laid down as ‘OVI-X’ in part 2 of Annex I to 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 meat.
(3)
In accordance with part I of Chapter A of Annex VIII and Chapter E of Annex IX to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 laying down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, certain requirements on trade in and imports of ovine and caprine animals for breeding have been changed in order to reflect a more vigorous approach as regards scrapie eradication.
(4)
It is necessary to align the animal health certificate model III in Annex E to Directive 91/68/EEC and the model certificate OVI-X in Annex I to Decision 79/542/EEC with the updated rules.
(5)
Directive 91/68/EEC and Decision 79/542/EEC should therefore be amended accordingly.
(6)
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: