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COMMISSION DECISION

of 27 July 1983

concerning animal health conditions and veterinary certification for the importation of fresh meat from Mexico

(83/380/EEC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN

COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 72/462/EEC of 12 December 1972 on health and veterinary inspection problems upon importation of bovine animals and swine and fresh meat from third countries (1), as last amended by Directive 83/91/EEC (2), and in particular Article 16 thereof,

Whereas, following a Community veterinary mission, it appears that the animal health situation in Mexico is excellent, stable and completely controlled by well structured and organized veterinary services, particularly as regards diseases transmissible through meat;

Whereas, in addition, the responsible veterinary authorities of Mexico have confirmed that Mexico has for at least 12 months been free from rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease and that no vaccinations have been carried out against those diseases during that time;

Whereas the responsible veterinary authorities of Mexico have undertaken to notify the Commission of the European Communities and the Member States, by telex or telegram, within 24 hours at the latest, of the confirmation of the occurrence of any of the abovementioned diseases or the adoption of vaccination against any of them;

Whereas animal health conditions and veterinary certification must be adopted according to the animal health situation of the non-member country concerned;

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 Mexico of fresh meat of domestic animals of the bovine species and of domestic solipeds conforming to the guarantees laid down in an animal health certificate which accords with the Annex hereto and which must accompany the consignment.

2. Member States shall not authorize the import of categories of fresh meat from Mexico other than those mentioned in paragraph 1.

Article 2

This Decision shall not apply to imports of glands and organs authorized by the country of destination for pharmaceutical manufacturing purposes.

Article 3

This Decision shall apply with effect from 1 October 1983.

Article 4

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 27 July 1983.

For the Commission

Poul DALSAGER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ No L 302, 31. 12. 1972, p. 28.

(2) OJ No L 59, 5. 3. 1983, p. 34.

ANNEX

ANIMAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE

for fresh meat (1) of domestic animals of the bovine species and of domestic solipeds intended for consignment to the European Economic Community

Country of destination:

Reference to public health certificate (2):

Exporting country: Mexico

Ministry:

Department:

References:

(Optional)

I. Identification of meat

Meat of:

(Animal species)

Nature of cuts:

Type of packaging:

Number of cuts or packages:

Net weight:

II. Origin of meat

Address(es) and veterinary approval number(s) (2) of approved slaughterhouse(s):

Address(es) and veterinary approval number(s) (2) of approved cutting plant(s):

III. Destination of meat

The meat will be sent from:

(Place of loading)

to:

(Country and place of destination)

by the following means of transport (3):

Name and address of consignor:

Name and address of consignee:

IV. Attestation of health

I, the undersigned, official veterinarian, certify that the fresh meat described above has been obtained from animals which have remained in the territory of Mexico for at least three months before being slaughtered or since birth in the case of animals less than three months old.

Done at , on

Seal

(Signature of official veterinarian)

(1) Fresh meat means all parts of domestic animals of the bovine species and of domestic solipeds which are fit for human consumption and which have not undergone any preserving process, chilled and frozen meat being considered as fresh meat.

(2) Optional when the country of destination authorizes the importation of fresh meat for uses other than human consumption in application of Article 19 (a) of Directive 72/462/EEC.

(3) For railway wagons or lorries the registration number should be given, for aircraft the flight number and for ships the name.