1.The animal health requirements for the entry into the Union of species and categories of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin from third countries or territories shall:
(a)be as stringent as the animal health requirements laid down in this Regulation and in the rules adopted pursuant thereto applicable to movements of the species and categories of animals, germinal products or products of animal origin in question within the Union; or
(b)offer equivalent guarantees to the animal health requirements applicable to the species and categories of animals, germinal products or products of animal origin provided for in Part IV (Articles 84 to 228) of this Regulation.
2.The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 264 concerning the animal health requirements for:
(a)the entry into the Union of species and categories of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin from third countries or territories;
(b)the movement within the Union and handling of those animals, germinal products and products of animal origin after their entry into the Union, where this is necessary in order to mitigate the risk involved.
3.Pending the adoption of delegated acts laying down animal health requirements as regards a particular species and category of animal, germinal product or product of animal origin provided for in paragraph 1 of this Article, Members State may, following an evaluation of the risks involved, apply national rules, provided that those rules comply with the requirements laid down in that paragraph and provided that they take into account the matters referred to in Articles 235 and 236.