COMMISSION DECISION of 29 November 1996 laying down the animal health requirements and the certification or official declaration for the import of hides and skins of ungulates from third countries (Text with EEA relevance) (97/168/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 92/118/EEC of 17 December 1992 laying down animal health and public health requirements governing trade in and imports into the Community of products not subject to the said requirements laid down in specific Community rules referred to in Annex A (1) to Directive 89/662/EEC and, as regards pathogens, to Directive 90/425/EEC (1) as last amended by Commission Decision 96/405/EC (2), and in particular Article 10 (2) (c) and Article 10 (3) thereof,
Whereas Annex 1 Chapter 3 of Directive 92/118/EEC, lays down requirements for the import of hides and skins not covered by Council Directives 64/433/EEC or 72/462/EEC, which have not undergone certain tanning processes;
Whereas due to the risks presented by these hides and skins it is justified to allow the import of these products from third countries which have a competent authority other than the veterinary authority, which is capable of producing a reliable health declaration;
Whereas, furthermore, Directive 92/118/EEC allows the import of hides and skins which have not been specially treated, for which special animal health conditions must be laid down;
Whereas it is necessary to lay down the animal health conditions, certification and the conditions of transport required for imports of the different categories of hides and skins;
Whereas considering the adaptation to the new system of certification, it is justified to foresee a period of time for its application;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
1. Member States shall authorize the import of treated hides and skins of ungulates if:
- they are accompanied by an animal health certificate as laid down in Annex A, and
- in the case of salted hides and skins transported by ship, the hides and skins have been salted before importation for the duration stated in this certificate.
2. Member States shall authorize the import of treated hides and skins of ungulates other than from equidae and pigs, which have been kept separate for 21 uninterrupted days or have undergone transport for 21 uninterrupted days, if they are accompanied by an official declaration as laid down in Annex B.
3. Member States shall authorize the import of fresh or chilled hides and skins of ungulates from third countries, if they are accompanied by an animal health certificate as laid down in Annex C.
4. Health certificates mentioned in paragraph 1 and 3 and the declaration mentioned in paragraph 2 shall consist of one sheet and shall be completed in at least one of the official languages of the Member State carrying out the import control.
Article 2
Hides and skins of ungulates must be imported in containers, trucks, trainwagons or bales sealed by the competent authority of the third country of dispatch.
Article 3
This Decision shall apply from 1 January 1997.
Article 4
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 29 November 1996.