1.For the purposes of Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006, engagement in trade with third countries as referred to in that Article shall mean that applicants have imported at least 50 animals covered by CN code 0102.
Member States may accept as proof of trade with third countries copies of the documents referred to in the second paragraph of Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006, duly certified by the competent authority.
2.A company formed by the merger of companies each having reference imports complying with the minimum quantity referred to in paragraph 1 may use those reference imports as a basis for its application.