Inspections and/or audits 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 such inspections and/or audits.

The inspections and/or audits provided for 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 as provided for in paragraph 1 may be established or amended in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 14(2).

If a serious animal health risk is identified during an inspection and/or audit as provided for in paragraph 1, even if it is not directly related to the objectives of the inspection/audit, the Commission shall immediately, take the measures necessary to safeguard animal health, as laid down in Article 18 of Directive 91/496/EEC, including the suspension or withdrawal of the authorisation provided for in Article 3(1).