THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
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 specific Community rules referred to in Annex A(I) to Directive 90/425/EEC, and in particular point (b) of the first subparagraph of Article 17(2) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
Directive 92/65/EEC provides that dogs, cats and ferrets are to be imported into the Union only from authorised territories or third countries and be accompanied by a health certificate corresponding to a specimen drawn up in accordance with the procedure referred to therein. Part 1 of the Annex to Commission Implementing Decision 2013/519/EU sets out the model animal health certificate.
(2)
In the model animal health certificate reference is made to the required successful test for immune response to anti-rabies vaccination that should be performed on blood samples taken from dogs, cats and ferrets coming from or scheduling to transit through a territory or a third country listed in Annex I to Commission Decision 2004/211/EC or in Part 1 of Annex II to Commission Regulation (EU) No 206/2010.
(3)
Following the repeated forgery of laboratory reports on the results of the rabies antibody titration test, it is appropriate to request certifying officials in territories or third countries that the satisfactory results to that test should not be certified unless the authenticity of the laboratory report has been verified. A specific guidance note to that effect should be included in the model animal health certificate.
(4)
Furthermore, the entry regarding the date of application or reading of the tattoo or transponder of dogs, cats or ferrets in Part I of the model animal health certificate has been misinterpreted by certifying officials in third countries and has therefore caused problems during veterinary checks at border inspection posts. In order to avoid any misunderstanding, that entry should be removed from Part I of the model animal health certificate that describes the animals, and inserted in Part II of that certificate, that concerns the certification of the animals. A specific note for guidance concerning the verification of the marking should also be included in Part II.
(5)
The Annex to Implementing Decision 2013/519/EU should therefore be amended accordingly.
(6)
In order to avoid any disruption of imports into the Union of consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets, the use of certificates issued in accordance with Union rules applicable before the date of application of this Decision should be authorised during a transitional period subject to certain conditions.
(7)
The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: