THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 88/407/EEC of 14 June 1988 laying down the animal health requirements applicable to intra-Community trade in and imports of semen of domestic animals of the bovine species, and in particular Article 11(2) thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 89/556/EEC of 25 September 1989 on animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade in and importation from third countries of embryos of domestic animals of the bovine species, and in particular Article 10(1) thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 90/426/EEC of 26 June 1990 on animal health conditions governing the movement and import from third countries of equidae, and in particular Article 16(2) thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 90/429/EEC of 26 June 1990 laying down the animal health requirements applicable to intra-Community trade in and imports of semen of domestic animals of the porcine species and in particular Article 10(2) thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 91/67/EEC of 28 January 1991 concerning the animal health conditions governing the placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products, and in particular Articles 21(2) thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 92/65/EEC of 13 July 1992, laying down animal health requirements governing trade in and imports into the Community of animals, semen, ova and embryos not subject to animal health requirements laid down in the specific Community rules referred to in Annex A (I) to Directive 90/425/EEC, and in particular Article 17(2)(b) thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 2002/99/EC of 16 December 2002 laying down animal health rules governing the production, processing, distribution and introduction of products of animal origin for human consumption, and particular Articles 9(4) thereof,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 October 2002 laying down health rules concerning animal by-products not intended for human consumption, and in particular Article 29(6) and Article 32 thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 2004/68/EC of 26 April 2004 laying down animal health rules for the importation into and transit through the Community of certain live ungulate animals, amending Directives 90/426/EEC and 92/65/EEC and repealing Directive 72/462/EEC in particular Article 13(1)(e) thereof,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific rules for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption, and in particular Article 14 thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
At present, there are many different models for the veterinary and public and animal health certificates required by Community legislation for the import of live animals, semen, embryos, ova and products of animal origin into the Community, which are laid down in several dozen fragmentary instruments. Despite the differences in their graphic presentation, the certificates’ contents are largely identical as regards the information which has to be provided. It would greatly simplify use of the certificates by the authorities of third countries if the existing models were standardised.
(2)
Standardisation is, moreover, essential for effective computer processing of the certificates in the system set up by Commission Decision 2003/623/EC of 19 August 2003 concerning the development of an integrated computerised veterinary system known as TRACES.
(3)
Standardisation will facilitate and accelerate administrative procedures at borders, enabling the data contained in the certificates to be transferred automatically to the Common Veterinary Entry Documents laid down by Commission Regulation (EC) No 136/2004 of 22 January 2004 laying down procedures for veterinary checks at Community border inspection posts on products imported from third countries and (EC) No 282/2004 of 18 February 2004 introducing a document for the declaration of, and veterinary checks on, animals from third countries entering the Community.
(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: