COMMISSION DECISION of 27 April 1994 laying down the animal health requirements and the veterinary certification for the importation from third countries of certain petfoods and certain untanned edible products for pets, containing low-risk animal materials (Text with EEA relevance) (94/309/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 (I) to Directive 89/662/EEC and, as regards pathogens, in Directive 90/425/EEC (1), and in particular Article 10 paragraph 2 (c) thereof,
Whereas Chapter 4 of Annex I to Directive 92/118/EEC lays down requirements for the importation of petfood containing low-risk materials within the meaning of Council Directive 90/667/EEC (2), as amended by Directive 92/118/EEC;
Whereas Commission Decision 94/278/EC (3) has laid down a list of third countries from which Member States shall authorize the importation of petfood and certain untanned edible products for pets;
Whereas the animal health conditions and veterinary certification required for the importation of these products from third countries must be laid down; whereas different animal health conditions shall apply for petfood depending on whether it is petfood in hermetically sealed containers, semi-moist petfood, or dried petfood;
Whereas, in particular, such petfood may contain animal proteins; whereas Member States are allowed to maintain their national import rules in force before 18 December 1992, concerning the requirements applicable for animal proteins as regards BSE and scrapie, pending a decision on the type of heat treatment capable of destroying the agent responsible;
Whereas considering that a new certification regime is being established, a period of time should be provided for its implementation;
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 importation from third countries of petfood which may contain processed animal protein derived from high-risk material not intended for human consumption, in hermetically sealed containers, if it is accompanied by a health certificate as set out in Annex A.
2. Member States shall authorize the importation from third countries of semi-moist petfood, which must not contain processed animal protein derived from high-risk material not intended for human consumption, if it is accompanied by a health certificate as set out in Annex B.
3. Member States shall authorize the importation from third countries of dried petfood, which must not contain processed animal protein derived from high-risk material not intended for human consumption, if it is accompanied by a health certificate as set out in Annex C.
4. Member States shall authorize the importation from third countries of untanned edible products for pets, made out of skins of ungulates, if they are accompanied by a health certificate as set out in Annex D.
5. The health certificates referred to in paragraphs 1 to 4 shall consist of one sheet and shall be completed in at least one official language of the Member State carrying out import checks.
Article 2
This Decision shall apply from 1 July 1994.
Article 3
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 27 April 1994.