The operator, as identified in Box I.7 of the CVED referred to in point (i) of Article 16(1)(b), of a consignment of equidae for slaughter shall ensure that after the checks carried out at the border inspection post of entry into the Union, the animals:

1. (a)

   are either conveyed directly, without delay and without coming into contact with equidae of a different health status, to the slaughterhouse of destination where they shall be slaughtered within 72 hours of arrival at the slaughterhouse; or

2. (b)

   pass through a single approved market or marshalling centre referred to in Article 7(1) of Directive 2009/156/EC as indicated in the health certificate referred to in Article 3(1)(e) of this Regulation, from where they are to be removed after the market under national rules ensuring traceability directly to a slaughterhouse to be slaughtered, as soon as possible, but at the latest within 5 working days of arrival in the Union without coming into contact with equidae of a different health status.