Article 3

1.

The competent authority of the Member State of the point of entry into the Union shall visually check livestock vehicles coming from Algeria, Libya, Morocco or Tunisia in order to determine whether they have been satisfactorily cleansed and disinfected.

2.

The competent authority responsible for the issuing of the animal health certificate for imports into Algeria, Libya, Morocco or Tunisia of live animals to be loaded shall visually check livestock vessels in order to determine whether they have been satisfactorily cleansed and disinfected prior to loading the animals.

3.

Where the checks referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 show that cleansing and disinfection have been satisfactorily carried out or where the competent authorities have in addition to the measures provided for in paragraph 1 ordered, organised and carried out additional disinfection of previously cleansed livestock vehicles or vessels, the competent authority shall attest that fact by issuing a certificate in accordance with the model set out in Annex II.

4.

Where the checks referred to in paragraph 1 and 2 show that cleansing and disinfection of the livestock vehicle or vessel have not been satisfactorily carried out, the competent authority shall take one of the following measures:

(a)

subject the livestock vehicle or vessel to proper cleansing and disinfection at a place designated by the competent authority, as close as possible to the point of entry into the Member State concerned and issue the certificate referred to in paragraph 3;

(b)

where there is no suitable facility for the cleansing and disinfection in the vicinity of the point of entry or where there is a risk that residual animal products may escape from the uncleansed livestock vehicle or vessel:

  1. (i)

    refuse the entry into the Union of the livestock vehicle or vessel; or

  2. (ii)

    perform a preliminary on-the-spot disinfection of the livestock vehicle or vessel not satisfactorily cleansed and disinfected pending the application of the measures provided for in point (a).

5.

The original of the certificate referred to in paragraph 3 shall be kept by the operator or driver of the livestock vehicle for a period of three years. A copy of that certificate shall be kept by the competent authority for a period of three years.