Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1044/2013

of 25 October 2013

amending Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 206/2010 as regards the model veterinary certificate for consignments of queen bees and queen bumble bees

(Text with EEA relevance)

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/EEC1, and in particular Article 17(2)(b) and Article 19(b) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

Directive 92/65/EEC lays down the animal health requirements governing trade in and imports into the Union of animals, semen, ova and embryos not subject to the animal health requirements laid down in the specific acts of the Union referred to in Annex F thereto.

(2)

Varroosis in bees is listed in Annex B to Directive 92/65/EEC. It is caused by ectoparasitic mites of the genus Varroa and has been reported worldwide.

(3)
Commission Regulation (EU) No 206/20102 lays down the veterinary certification requirements for the introduction of consignments of certain live animals into the Union. Part 2 of Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 206/2010 sets out the veterinary certificate QUE to be used for consignments of queen bees and queen bumble bees (Apis mellifera and Bombus spp.).
(4)
Certain territories of Member States have been recognised as free from varroosis by Commission Implementing Decision 2013/503/EU3. The additional guarantees required in trade laid down in that Decision for the protection of the varroosis-free status of those territories provide that Member States are to prohibit the introduction of consignments of queen bees and their attendants into the Union, where their final destination is a varroosis-free territory.
(5)

The veterinary certificate QUE set out in Part 2 to Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 206/2010 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(6)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: