Community inspections and/or audits at all stages covered by this Directive may be carried out in third countries by experts from the Commission in order to verify conformity with or equivalence to Community animal health rules. The experts from the Commission may be accompanied by experts from the Member States authorised by the Commission to carry out these inspections and/or audits.

The inspections and/or audits in third countries referred to in paragraph 1 shall be carried out on behalf of the Community, and the Commission shall meet the costs incurred.

The procedure for carrying out the inspections and/or audits in third countries referred to in paragraph 1 may be established or modified in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 12(2).

If a serious animal health risk is identified during a Community inspection or audit, the Commission shall immediately take the measures necessary to safeguard animal health, in accordance with Article 22 of Directive 97/78/EC, and inform the Member States thereof.