Directive 96/23/EC lays down measures to monitor the substances and groups of residues listed in Annex I thereto. Article 29 of that Directive requires that third countries from which Member States are authorised to import animals and animal products covered by that Directive submit a residue monitoring plan providing required guarantees (‘the plan’). The plan should at least apply to the groups of residues and substances listed in that Annex I.

In the light of the recent plans submitted by certain third countries and additional information obtained by the Commission from those third countries, it is necessary to update the list of third countries from which Member States are authorised to import certain animals and animal products, as provided for in Directive 96/23/EC, as currently listed in the Annex to Decision 2011/163/EU (‘the list’).

While the United Arab Emirates have not provided a residue monitoring plan for domestically produced aquaculture, the United Arab Emirates have provided guarantees in respect of aquaculture raw material originating either from Member States or from third countries which are approved to export such raw material to the European Union. An entry for the United Arab Emirates for aquaculture with the appropriate footnote should therefore be added in the list.

Gambia is currently included in the list for aquaculture. However, Gambia has not provided a plan as required by Article 29 of Directive 96/23/EC and has declared that export to the EU is no longer taking place. The entry for that third country concerning aquaculture should therefore be deleted from the list. Gambia has been informed accordingly.

Georgia has submitted a plan for honey to the Commission. That plan provides sufficient guarantees and should be approved. An entry for Georgia for honey should therefore be included in the list.

Kenya is currently included in the list for milk. However, Kenya has not provided a plan as required by Article 29 of Directive 96/23/EC and has declared that residue testing is not currently being carried out and it is not expected to be implemented in 2016 and that export to the EU could no longer take place. The entry for that third country concerning milk should therefore be deleted from the list. Kenya has been informed accordingly.

Lebanon is currently included in the list for honey. However, Lebanon has not provided a plan as required by Article 29 of Directive 96/23/EC. The entry for that third country concerning honey should therefore be deleted from the list. Lebanon has been informed accordingly.

In order to avoid any disruption to trade, a transitional period should be laid down to cover the relevant consignments from Lebanon, which were certified and dispatched to the Union before the date of application of this Decision.

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,