COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1251/2008
of 12 December 2008
implementing Council Directive 2006/88/EC as regards conditions and certification requirements for the placing on the market and the import into the Community of aquaculture animals and products thereof and laying down a list of vector species
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 2006/88/EC of 24 October 2006 on animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof, and on the prevention and control of certain diseases in aquatic animals (1), and in particular Article 17(2), Articles 22 and 25 and Article 61(3) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
Directive 2006/88/EC lays down the animal health requirements to be applied for the placing on the market and the import and the transit through the Community of aquaculture animals and products thereof. Directive 2006/88/EC repeals and replaces Council Directive 91/67/EEC concerning the animal health conditions governing the placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products (2) from 1 August 2008.
(2)
According to Directive 2006/88/EC aquaculture animal means any aquatic animal, including ornamental aquatic animals, at all its life stages, including eggs and sperm/gametes, reared in a farm or mollusc farming area, including any aquatic animal from the wild intended for a farm or mollusc farming area. Aquatic animals mean fish, molluscs and crustaceans.
(3)
Commission Decision 1999/567/EC of 27 July 1999 laying down the model of the certificate referred to in Article 16(1) of Directive 91/67/EEC (3) and Commission Decision 2003/390/EC of 23 May 2003 establishing special conditions for placing on the market of aquaculture animals species considered not susceptible to certain diseases and the products thereof (4) lay down certain rules for the placing on the market of aquaculture animals, including certification requirements. Commission Decision 2003/804/EC of 14 November 2003 laying down the animal health conditions and certification requirements for imports of molluscs, their eggs and gametes for further growth, fattening, relaying or human consumption (5), Commission Decision 2003/858/EC of 21 November 2003 laying down the animal health conditions and certification requirements for introduction of live fish, their eggs and gametes intended for farming, and live fish of aquaculture origin and products thereof intended for human consumption (6) and Commission Decision 2006/656/EC of 20 September 2006 laying down the animal health conditions and certification requirements for imports of fish for ornamental purpose (7) lay down conditions for imports of aquaculture animals into the Community. Those Decisions implement Directive 91/67/EEC.
(4)
Directive 2006/88/EC provides that the placing on the market of aquaculture animals is to be subject to animal health certification when the animals are introduced into a Member State, zone or compartment declared disease-free in accordance with that Directive or subject to a surveillance or eradication programme. Accordingly, it is appropriate to lay down certification requirements and harmonised model animal health certificates in this Regulation to replace the certification requirements laid down under Directive 91/67/EEC and the Decisions implementing that Directive.
(5)
Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin (8) lays down specific rules on the hygiene of food of animal origin for food business operators, including packaging and labelling requirements. The animal health certification requirements provided for in the present Regulation for the placing on the market and import of aquaculture animals and products thereof intended for further processing before human consumption should not apply to those animals and products packed and labelled in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, subject to certain conditions.
(6)
Directive 2006/88/EC provides that Member States are to ensure that the placing on the market of ornamental aquatic animals does not jeopardise the health status of aquatic animals with regard to non-exotic diseases listed in Part II of Annex IV thereto.
(7)
Ornamental aquatic animals placed on the market in the Community and intended for facilities without any direct contact with natural waters, namely closed ornamental facilities, do not pose the same risks to other sectors of Community aquaculture or to wild stocks. Accordingly, animal health certification should not be required under this Regulation for such animals.
(8)
In order to provide Member States, where the entire territory, or certain zones or compartments thereof, are declared free of one of more of the non-exotic diseases for which ornamental aquatic animals are susceptible, with information on the movements into their territory of ornamental aquatic animals intended for closed ornamental facilities, it is appropriate that such movements are notified through the Traces system as provided for in Council Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products with a view to the completion of the internal market (9) and introduced by Commission Decision 2004/292/EC of 30 March 2004 on the introduction of the Traces system (10).
(9)
Movements within the Community from closed ornamental facilities to open ornamental facilities or into the wild, may represent a high risk to other sectors of Community aquaculture, and should not be allowed without the authorisation of the competent authorities of the Member States.
(10)
Directive 2006/88/EC provides that Member States are to take certain minimum control measures in the event of confirmation of an exotic or non-exotic disease listed in Part II of Annex IV thereto in aquaculture animals or wild aquatic animals or in the case of emerging diseases. In addition, that Directive provides that Member States are to ensure that the placing on the market of aquaculture animals is subject to animal health certification when the animals are allowed to leave an area subject to those control measures.
(11)
Accordingly, this Regulation should lay down animal health conditions and certification requirements for consignments of aquaculture animals and products thereof leaving Member States, zones or compartments subject to disease control measures.
(12)
Directive 2006/88/EC provides that Member States are to ensure that aquaculture animals and products thereof are introduced into the Community only from third countries or parts thereof that appear on a list drawn up in accordance with that Directive.
(13)
Imports into the Community of aquaculture animals should only be permitted from third countries that have animal health legislation and control system equivalent to those in the Community. Accordingly, this Regulation should establish a list of third countries, territories, zones or compartments, from which Member States are permitted to introduce into the Community aquaculture animals for farming, relaying areas, put and take fisheries and open ornamental facilities. However, the import into the Community of certain ornamental fish, molluscs and crustaceans intended for closed ornamental facilities should be permitted from third countries that are members of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
(14)
Third countries and territories which are allowed to export to the Community aquaculture animals for human consumption based on public health considerations should also be allowed to export to the Community under the animal health provisions of this Regulation. Aquaculture animals and products thereof intended for human consumption should therefore only be imported into the Community from third countries, territories, zones or compartments which are included on a list drawn up in accordance with Article 11(1) of Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific rules for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption (11).
(15)
Such lists are set out in Annexes I and II to Commission Decision 2006/766/EC of 6 November 2006 establishing the lists of third countries and territories from which imports of bivalve molluscs, echinoderms, tunicates, marine gastropods and fishery products are permitted (12) and, for a transitional period until 31 December 2009, by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2076/2005 of 5 December 2005 laying down transitional arrangements for the implementation of Regulations (EC) No 853/2004, (EC) No 854/2004 and (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Regulations (EC) No 853/2004 and (EC) No 854/2004 (13). In the interest of consistency of Community legislation, those lists should be taken into account in this Regulation.
(16)
Directive 2006/88/EC provides that import of aquaculture animals and products thereof are to be accompanied by a document containing an animal health certificate upon their entry into the Community. It is necessary to lay down in this Regulation in detail the animal health conditions for imports of aquaculture animals into the Community, including model animal health certificates, which should replace the import conditions laid down under Directive 91/67/EEC.
(17)
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2074/2005 of 5 December 2005 laying down implementing measures for certain products under Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council and for the organisation of official controls under Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, derogating from Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Regulations (EC) No 853/2004 and (EC) No 854/2004 (14) lays down model health certificates for import of fishery products and of live bivalve molluscs intended for human consumption. In the interests of coherency of Community legislation, this Regulation should provide that those model health certificates accompany import of products covered by this Regulation.
(18)
Ornamental aquatic animals, including fish, molluscs and crustaceans, are to a large extent introduced into the Community from third countries and territories. To protect the animal health status of ornamental facilities within the Community, it is necessary to lay down certain animal health requirements for the import of such animals.
(19)
It is important to ensure that the animal health status of aquaculture animals imported into the Community is not jeopardised during transport to the Community.
(20)
The release of imported aquaculture animals into the wild in the Community poses a particularly high risk to the animal health status of the Community, since the control and eradication of diseases in natural waters are difficult. Accordingly, such release should require a specific authorisation from the competent authority and only be authorised under the condition that appropriate measures are taken to secure the animal health status at the place of release.
(21)
Aquaculture animals intended for transiting through the Community should comply with the same requirements as aquaculture animals intended for import into the Community.
(22)
Specific conditions for transit via the Community of consignments to and from Russia should be provided for owing to the geographical situation of Kaliningrad which affects only Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. In the interests of consistency of Community legislation, Commission Decision 2001/881/EC of 7 December 2001 drawing up a list of border inspection posts agreed for veterinary checks on animals and animal products from third countries and updating the detailed rules concerning the checks to be carried out by the experts of the Commission (15) and Council Directive 97/78/EC of 18 December 1997 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries (16) should be taken into account in this Regulation.
(23)
Council Directive 96/93/EC of 17 December 1996 on the certification of animals and animal products (17) which lays down the rules to be observed in issuing veterinary certificates, should apply to animal health certificates issued under this Regulation.
(24)
Article 17 of Directive 2006/88/EC provides that where scientific data or practical experience substantiates that species other than the susceptible species referred to in Part II of Annex IV to that Directive may be responsible for the transmission of a specific disease by acting as vector species, Member States are to ensure that where those species are introduced for farming or restocking purposes into a Member State, zone or compartment declared free of that specific disease, certain requirements provided for in the Directive are to be complied with. Article 17 of Directive 2006/88/EC also provides for the drawing up of a list of vector species. A list of vector species should therefore be adopted.
(25)
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has delivered three opinions on that issue: Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Animal Health and Welfare on a request from the European Commission on possible vector species and live stages of susceptible species not transmitting disease as regards certain fish diseases (18), Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Animal Health and Welfare on a request from the European Commission on possible vector species and live stages of susceptible species not transmitting disease as regards certain mollusc diseases (19), and Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Animal Health and Welfare on a request from the European Commission on possible vector species and live stages of susceptible species not transmitting disease as regards certain crustacean diseases (20).
(26)
According to those scientific opinions, the likelihood of the transfer and establishment of the diseases listed in Directive 2006/88/EC by the potential vector species or groups of vector species assessed ranked from negligible/extremely low to moderate, under certain conditions. That assessment covered aquatic species which are used in aquaculture and traded for the purpose of farming.
(27)
In drawing up the list of vector species, the EFSA opinions should be taken into account. In deciding which species should be included in that list, an appropriate level of protection of the animal health status of aquaculture animals in the Community should be ensured, while at the same time avoiding the introduction of unnecessary trade restrictions. Consequently, species which pose a moderate risk of disease transmission, according to those opinions, should be included in the list.
(28)
Many of the species identified as possible vectors for certain diseases in the EFSA opinions, should only be regarded as such when they originate from an area where species susceptible to the disease in question are present and are intended for an area where those same susceptible species are also present. Accordingly, aquaculture animals of possible vector species should only be regarded as vector species for the purposes of Article 17 of Directive 2006/88/EC under such conditions.
(29)
In the interest of clarity and coherence of Community legislation, Decisions 1999/567/EC, 2003/390/EC, 2003/804/EC, 2003/858/EC and 2006/656/EC should be repealed and replaced by this Regulation.
(30)
It is appropriate to provide for a transitional period to permit Member States and industry to take the necessary measures to comply with the new requirements laid down in this Regulation.
(31)
Bearing in mind the large trade flow of ornamental aquatic animals of species susceptible to epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) and the need to carry out further studies on the risk of that disease to the ornamental aquatic animal industry, including a re-assessment of the list of susceptible species, an immediate interruption of import of ornamental fish species susceptible to EUS intended only for closed ornamental facilities should be avoided. It is therefore appropriate to introduce a transitional period as regards the requirements related to that disease for those consignments. A transitional period is also necessary in order to give third countries sufficient time to document freedom from that disease.
(32)
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:
CHAPTER I
SUBJECT MATTER, SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS
Article 1
Subject matter and scope
This Regulation lays down:
(a)
a list of vector species;
(b)
animal health conditions for the placing on the market of ornamental aquatic animals either originating from or intended for closed ornamental facilities;
(c)
animal health certification requirements for the placing on the market of:
(i)
aquaculture animals intended for farming, including relaying areas, put and take fisheries and open ornamental facilities, and restocking; and
(ii)
aquaculture animals and products thereof intended for human consumption;
(d)
animal health conditions and certification requirements for imports into the Community, and transit therein, including storage during transit, of:
(i)
aquaculture animals intended for farming, including relaying areas, put and take fisheries and open ornamental facilities;
(ii)
aquaculture animals and products thereof intended for human consumption;
(iii)
ornamental aquatic animals intended for closed ornamental facilities.
Article 2
Definitions
For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:
(a)
‘closed ornamental facilities’ means pet shops, garden centres, garden ponds, commercial aquaria or wholesalers keeping ornamental aquatic animals:
(i)
without any direct contact with natural waters in the Community; or
(ii)
which are equipped with an effluent treatment system reducing the risk of transmitting diseases to the natural waters to an acceptable level;
(b)
‘open ornamental facility’ means ornamental facilities other than closed ornamental facilities;
(c)
‘restocking’ means the release of aquaculture animals into the wild.
CHAPTER II
VECTOR SPECIES
Article 3
List of vector species
Aquaculture animals of species listed in Column 2 of the table in Annex I to this Regulation shall only be regarded as vectors for the purposes of Article 17 of Directive 2006/88/EC where those animals fulfil the conditions set out in Columns 3 and 4 of that table.
CHAPTER III
PLACING ON THE MARKET OF AQUACULTURE ANIMALS
Article 4
Ornamental aquatic animals originating from or intended for ornamental facilities
1. Movements of ornamental aquatic animals shall be subject to notification under the computerised system provided for in Article 20(1) of Directive 90/425/EEC (Traces) where the animals:
(a)
originate from ornamental facilities in one Member State;
(b)
are intended for closed ornamental facilities in another Member State, where the entire territory, or certain zones or compartments thereof:
(i)
are declared free of one or more of the non-exotic diseases listed in Part II of Annex IV to Directive 2006/88/EC in accordance with Articles 49 or 50 thereof; or
(ii)
are subject to a surveillance or eradication programme in accordance with Article 44(1) or (2) of that Directive; and
(c)
are of species susceptible to one or more of the diseases for which the Member State or zone or compartment concerned is declared disease-free, or for which a surveillance or eradication programme applies, as referred to in point (b).
2. Ornamental aquatic animals kept in closed ornamental facilities shall not be released into open ornamental facilities, farms, relaying areas and put- and take fisheries, mollusc farming areas or into the wild, unless authorised by the competent authority.
The competent authority shall only grant such authorisation where the release does not jeopardise the health status of the aquatic animals at the place of release and it shall ensure that appropriate risk mitigating measures are taken.
Article 5
Aquaculture animals intended for farming, relaying areas, put and take fisheries, open ornamental facilities and restocking
Consignments of aquaculture animals intended for farming, relaying areas, put and take fisheries, open ornamental facilities, or restocking shall be accompanied by an animal health certificate completed in accordance with the model set out in Part A of Annex II and the explanatory notes in Annex V, where the animals:
(a)
are introduced into Member States, zones or compartments:
(i)
declared free of one or more of the non-exotic diseases listed in Part II of Annex IV to Directive 2006/88/EC in accordance with Articles 49 or 50 thereof; or
(ii)
subject to a surveillance or eradication programme in accordance with Article 44(1) or (2) of that Directive;
(b)
are of species susceptible to one or more of the diseases, or vector species for one or more of the diseases, for which the Member State, zone or compartment concerned is declared disease-free, or for which a surveillance or eradication programme applies, as referred to in point (a).
Article 6
Aquaculture animals and products thereof intended for further processing before human consumption
1. Consignments of aquaculture animals and products thereof intended for further processing before human consumption, shall be accompanied by an animal health certificate completed in accordance with the model set out in Part B of Annex II and the explanatory notes in Annex V, where they:
(a)
are introduced into Member States, zones or compartments:
(i)
declared free of one or more of the non-exotic diseases in Part II of Annex IV to Directive 2006/88/EC in accordance with Articles 49 or 50 of that Directive; or
(ii)
subject to a surveillance or eradication programme in accordance with Article 44(1) or (2) of that Directive;
(b)
are of species susceptible to one or more of the diseases for which the Member State, zone or compartment concerned is declared disease-free, or for which a surveillance or eradication programme applies, as referred to in point (a).
2. Paragraph 1 shall not apply to:
(a)
fish which have been slaughtered and eviscerated before dispatch;
(b)
molluscs or crustaceans which are intended for human consumption and packed and labelled for that purpose in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, and which are:
(i)
non-viable, which means no longer able to survive as living animals if returned to the environment from which they were obtained; or
(ii)
intended for further processing without temporary storage at the place of processing;
(c)
aquaculture animals or products thereof placed on the market for human consumption without further processing, provided that they are packed in retail-sale packages which comply with the provisions for such packages in Regulation (EC) No 853/2004.
Article 7
Live molluscs and crustaceans intended for purification centres, dispatch centres and similar businesses before human consumption
Consignments of live molluscs and crustaceans intended for purification centres, dispatch centres and similar businesses before human consumption, shall be accompanied by an animal health certificate completed in accordance with the model set out in Part B of Annex II and the explanatory notes in Annex V, where they:
(a)
are introduced into Member States, zones or compartments:
(i)
declared free of one or more of the non-exotic diseases listed in Part II of Annex IV to Directive 2006/88/EC in accordance with Articles 49 or 50; or
(ii)
subject to a surveillance or eradication programme in accordance with Article 44(1) or (2) of that Directive;
(b)
are of species susceptible to one or more of the diseases for which the Member State, zone or compartment concerned is declared disease-free, or for which a surveillance or eradication programme applies, as referred to in point (a).
Article 8
Aquaculture animals and products thereof leaving Member States, zones and compartments subject to disease control measures, including eradication programmes
1. Consignments of aquaculture animals and products thereof leaving Member States, zones or compartments subject to the disease control measures provided for in Sections 3 to 6 of Chapter V of Directive 2006/88/EC, but for which an exemption from those disease control measures has been granted by the competent authority, shall be accompanied by an animal health certificate completed in accordance with the model set out in:
(a)
Part A of Annex II and the explanatory notes in Annex V where the consignments consist of aquaculture animals intended for farming, relaying areas, put and take fisheries, open ornamental facilities or restocking; and
(b)
Part B of Annex II and the explanatory notes in Annex V where the consignments consist of aquaculture animals and products thereof intended for further processing, purification centres, dispatch centres or similar businesses before human consumption.
2. Consignments of aquaculture animals intended for farming, relaying areas, put and take fisheries, open ornamental facilities or restocking shall be accompanied by an animal health certificate completed in accordance with the model set out in Part A of Annex II and the explanatory notes in Annex V, where they:
(a)
are leaving a Member State, zone or compartment with an eradication programme approved in accordance with Article 44(2) of Directive 2006/88/EC;
(b)
are of species susceptible to one or more of the diseases, or vector species for one or more of the diseases, for which the eradication programme applies, as referred to in point (a).
3. Consignments of aquaculture animals and products thereof intended for further processing, purification centres, dispatch centres or similar businesses before human consumption shall be accompanied by an animal health certificate completed in accordance with the model set out in Part B of Annex II and the explanatory notes in Annex V, where they:
(a)
are leaving a Member State, zone or compartment with an eradication programme approved in accordance with Article 44(2) of Directive 2006/88/EC;
(b)
are of species susceptible to one or more of the diseases for which the eradication programme applies, as referred to in point (a).
4. This Article shall not apply to:
(a)
fish which have been slaughtered and eviscerated before dispatch;
(b)
molluscs or crustaceans which are intended for human consumption and packed and labelled for that purpose in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, and which are:
(i)
non-viable, which means no longer able to survive as living animals if returned to the environment from which they were obtained; or
(ii)
intended for further processing without temporary storage at the place of processing;
(c)
aquaculture animals or products thereof placed on the market for human consumption without further processing, provided that they are packed in retail-sale packages which comply with the provisions for such packages in Regulation (EC) No 853/2004.
Article 9
Introduction of aquaculture animals after inspection
Where this Chapter provides that an inspection is required prior to the issue of an animal health certificate, live aquaculture animals of species susceptible to one or more of the diseases, or vector species for one or more of the diseases, referred to in that certificate, shall not be introduced into the farm or mollusc farming area during the period between such inspection and the loading of the consignment.
CHAPTER IV
CONDITIONS FOR IMPORTS
Article 10
Aquaculture animals intended for farming, relaying areas, put and take fisheries and open ornamental facilities
1. Aquaculture animals intended for farming, relaying areas, put and take fisheries and open ornamental facilities shall only be imported into the Community from third countries, territories, zones or compartments listed in Annex III.
2. Consignments of the aquaculture animals referred to in paragraph 1 shall:
(a)
be accompanied by an animal health certificate completed in accordance with the model set out in Part A of Annex IV and the explanatory notes in Annex V;
(b)
comply with the animal health requirements set out in the model certificate and explanatory notes, as referred to in point (a).
Article 11
Ornamental aquatic animals intended for closed ornamental facilities
1. Ornamental fish of species susceptible to one or more of the diseases listed in Part II of Annex IV to Directive 2006/88/EC and intended for closed ornamental facilities shall only be imported into the Community from third countries, territories, zones or compartments listed in Annex III to this Regulation.
2. Ornamental fish which are not of susceptible species to any of the diseases listed in Part II of Annex IV to Directive 2006/88/EC, and ornamental molluscs and ornamental crustaceans, intended for closed ornamental facilities, shall only be imported into the Community from third countries or territories that are members of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
3. Consignments of the animals referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall:
(a)
be accompanied by an animal health certificate completed in accordance with the model set out in Part B of Annex IV and the explanatory notes in Annex V; and
(b)
comply with the animal health requirements set out in the model certificate and explanatory notes, as referred to in point (a).
Article 12
Aquaculture animals and products thereof intended for human consumption
1. Aquaculture animals and products thereof intended for human consumption shall only be imported into the Community from third countries, territories, zones or compartments which are included on a list drawn up in accordance with Article 11(1) of Regulation (EC) No 854/2004.
2. Consignments of the animals and products referred to in paragraph 1 shall:
(a)
be accompanied by a joint public and animal health certificate completed in accordance with the relevant models set out in Appendixes IV and V of Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 2074/2005; and
(b)
comply with the animal health requirements and notes set out in the model certificates and attestations, as referred to in point (a).
3. This Article shall not apply where the aquaculture animals are intended for relaying areas or re-immersion into Community waters, in which case Article 10 shall apply.
Article 13
Electronic certification
Electronic certification and other agreed systems harmonised at Community level may be used for the certificates and attestations provided for in this Chapter.
Article 14
Transport of aquaculture animals
1. Aquaculture animals for import into the Community shall not be transported under conditions that may alter their health status. In particular they shall not be transported in the same water or micro-container as aquatic animals which are of a lower health status or which are not intended for import into the Community.
2. During transportation to the Community, the aquaculture animals shall not be unloaded from their micro-container and the water in which they are transported shall not be changed in the territory of a third country which is not approved for import of such animals into the Community or which has a lower health status than the place of destination.
3. Where consignments of aquaculture animals are transported by sea to the Community border, an addendum for transport of live aquaculture animals by sea, completed in accordance with the model set out in Part D of Annex IV, shall be attached to the relevant animal health certificate.
Article 15
Requirements for the release of aquaculture animals and products thereof and for transport water
1. Aquaculture animals and products thereof imported into the Community and intended for human consumption shall be handled appropriately to avoid contamination of natural waters in the Community.
2. Aquaculture animals imported into the Community shall not be released into the wild within the Community, unless authorised by the competent authority of the place of destination.
The competent authority may only grant authorisations where the release does not jeopardise the health status of the aquatic animals at the place of release and it shall ensure that appropriate risk-mitigating measures are taken.
3. Transport water from imported consignments of aquaculture animals and products thereof shall be handled appropriately to avoid contamination of natural waters in the Community.
CHAPTER V
CONDITIONS FOR TRANSIT
Article 16
Transit and storage
Consignments of live aquaculture animals, fish eggs and un-eviscerated fish which are introduced into the Community, but intended for a third country, either by transit immediately through the Community, or after storage in the Community, shall comply with the requirements laid down in Chapter IV. The certificate, which accompanies the consignments, shall bear the words ‘for transit through the EC’. The consignments shall also be accompanied by a certificate required by the third country of destination.
However, where those consignments are intended for human consumption, they shall be accompanied by an animal health certificate completed in accordance with the model set out in Part C of Annex IV and the explanatory notes in Annex V.
Article 17
Derogation for transit through Latvia, Lithuania and Poland
1. By way of derogation from Article 16, transit by road or by rail shall be authorised between the border inspection posts in Latvia, Lithuania and Poland listed in the Annex to Commission Decision 2001/881/EC, of consignments coming from and bound for Russia, directly or via another third country, where the following conditions are met:
(a)
the consignment is sealed with a serially numbered seal by the official veterinarian at the border inspection post of entry;
(b)
the documents accompanying the consignment, as provided for in Article 7 of Directive 97/78/EC, are stamped with the words ‘Only for transit to Russia via the EC’ on each page by the official inspector at the border inspection post of entry;
(c)
the procedural requirements provided for in Article 11 of Directive 97/78/EC are complied with; and
(d)
the consignment is certified as acceptable for transit on the common veterinary entry document issued by the official inspector at the border inspection post of entry.
2. The consignments referred to in paragraph 1 may not be unloaded or put into storage, as referred to in Article 12(4) or in Article 13 of Directive 97/78/EC, within the Community.
3. Regular audits shall be conducted by the competent authority to ensure that the number of consignments, as referred to in paragraph 1, and the corresponding quantities of products leaving the Community match the number and quantities entering the Community.
CHAPTER VI
GENERAL, TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 18
Certification requirements laid down in other Community legislation
The animal health certificates required in accordance with Chapters III, IV and V of this Regulation shall, where appropriate, incorporate any animal health certificate requirements pursuant to:
(a)
measures to prevent the introduction of or control of diseases not listed in Part II of Annex IV to Directive 2006/88/EC, approved in accordance with Article 43(2) thereof; or
(b)
Article 5 of Commission Decision 2004/453/EC (21).
Article 19
Repeal
Decisions 1999/567/EC, 2003/390/EC, 2003/804/EC, 2003/858/EC and 2006/656/EC are repealed with effect from 1 January 2009.
References to the repealed Decisions shall be construed as references to this Regulation.
Article 20
Transitional provisions
1. For a transitional period until 30 June 2009, ornamental aquatic animals referred to in Article 4(1) may be placed on the market without notification under the computerised system provided for in Article 20(1) of Directive 90/425/EEC (Traces) provided that they reach their place of final destination before that date.
2. For a transitional period until 30 June 2009, consignments of aquaculture animals and products thereof accompanied by a movement document or animal health certificate in accordance with Annex E to Directive 91/67/EEC or Decisions 1999/567/EC and 2003/390/EC may be placed on the market provided that they reach their place of final destination before that date.
3. For a transitional period until 30 June 2009, the following consignments of aquaculture animals and products thereof may be imported into or transited through the Community:
(a)
consignments accompanied by an animal health certificate in accordance with Decisions 2003/804/EC, 2003/858/EC and 2006/656/EC;
(b)
consignments covered by Chapter IV of this Regulation, but which are not covered by Decisions 2003/804/EC, 2003/858/EC and 2006/656/EC.
Article 14(3) shall not apply to the consignments referred to in points (a) and (b) during that period.
4. For a transitional period until 31 December 2009, Member States may authorise the import of aquaculture animals and products thereof intended for human consumption from third countries, territories, zones or compartments which are listed in Annexes I and II to Regulation (EC) No 2076/2005.
5. For a transitional period until 31 December 2010, Member States may authorise the import of ornamental aquatic animals of species susceptible to epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) intended solely for closed ornamental facilities from third countries or territories that are Members of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
During that transitional period, the requirements concerning EUS set out in Part II.2 of the animal health certificate set out in Part B of Annex IV, shall not apply to ornamental aquatic animals intended solely for closed ornamental facilities.
Article 21
Entry into force
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
It shall apply from 1 January 2009.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 12 December 2008.