1.The competent authority shall, upon request by an operator, issue an animal health certificate for the movement of aquatic animals, where required by Articles 208 and 209, or by rules adopted pursuant to Articles 211 and Article 214, provided that the following animal health requirements have been complied with, as relevant:
(a)those provided for in Article 191, Article 192(1), Articles 193, 195 and 196, Article 197(1), Articles 198 and 199, Article 200(1) and (2), Article 201, Article 203(1) and Article 204(1) and (2);
(b)those provided for in delegated acts adopted pursuant to Articles 192(2), 197(3), 200(3), 201(3), 202(3), 203(2) and 204(3) and Article 205;
(c)those provided for in implementing acts adopted pursuant to Article 206.
2.Animal health certificates shall:
(a)be verified, stamped and signed by an official veterinarian;
(b)remain valid for the period of time, provided for in the rules adopted pursuant to point (c) of paragraph 4, during which the aquatic animals covered by it must continue to fulfil the animal health guarantees contained in it.
3.Before signing an animal health certificate, the official veterinarian concerned shall verify, by means of documentary, identity and physical checks as provided for by delegated acts adopted pursuant to paragraph 4 where appropriate, that the aquatic animals covered by it fulfil the requirements of this Chapter, taking into account the species and categories of aquatic animals concerned and the animal health requirements.
4.The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 264 laying down rules concerning:
(a)the types of documentary, identity and physical checks and examinations in relation to different species and categories of aquatic animals that must be carried out by the official veterinarian in accordance with paragraph 3 in order to verify compliance with the requirements of this Chapter;
(b)the timeframes for the carrying-out of such documentary, identity and physical checks and examinations, and the issuing of animal health certificates by the official veterinarian prior to the movement of consignments of aquatic animals;
(c)the duration of the validity of animal health certificates.