COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(92) 167 final 
Brussels, 4 May 1992 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
on computerization of veterinary import procedures (Shift project), 
amending Directives 90/675/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 91/628/EEC and 
Decision 90/424/EEC and repealing Decision 88/192/EEC 
(presented by the Commission) 
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EXPLANATORY MEMORADUM 
The attached proposal deals with computerization of veterinary import 
procedures (Shift project) for live animals and animal products from third 
countries. Its setting is the introduction of data transmission networks in 
order to enable the internal market to function smoothly. 
Since adoption of Council Decision 88/192/CEE of 28 March 1988 on a system for 
health control of imports from third countries at frontier inspection posts 
(Shift project)(1) considerable progress has been made on veterinary 
harmonization. In particular the Council has adopted Council Directive 
90/675/EEC of 10 December 1990 laying down the principles governing the 
organization of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from 
third countries(2), Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down 
the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on animals 
entering the Community from third countries and amending Directives 
89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675/EEC<3) and Council Directive 91/628/EEC of 
19 November 1991 on the protection of animals during transport and amending 
Directives 90/425/EEC and 91/496/EEc(4). 
The proposal adjusts these Directives to the requirements of the proposed new 
arrangements. These cover: 
- the information procedure when a consignment is rejected 
- operation of data bases covering veterinary requirements for importation 
and veterinary inspection of imports 
- experimental computerized certification. 
The system-architecture principles are laid down. 
The Community will make a financial contribution under Council Decision 
90/424/EEC of 26 June 1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field<5). The 
financial implications are set out in the attached statement. 
(1) OJ No L 89, 06.04.1988, p. 32 
(2) OJ No L 373, 31.12.1990, p. 1. 
(3) OJ No L 268, 24.9.1991, p. 56. 
(4) OJ No L 340, 11.12.1991, p. 17. 
(5) OJ No L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 19. 
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proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
Of 
on computerization of veterinary import procedures (Shift project), 
amending Directives 90/675/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 91/628/EEC and 
Decision 90/424/EEC and repealing Decision 88/192/EEC 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic community, and 
in particular Article 43 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission(*), 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament^2), 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee(3), 
Whereas since adoption of Council Decision 88/192/EEC of 28 March 1988 on a 
system for health control of imports from third countries at frontier 
inspection posts (Shift project)(4), considerable progress has been made on 
harmonization in the veterinary field; whereas in particular the Council has 
adopted Council Directive 90/675/EEC of 10 December 1990 laying down the 
principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on products 
entering the community from third countries^5), as amended by Directive 
91/496/EEC, Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down the 
principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on animals entering 
the Community from third countries and amending Directives 89/662/EEC, 
90/425/EEC and 90/675/EEC<6), as amended by Directive 91/628/EEC, and Council 
Directive 91/628/EEC of 19 November 1991 on the protection of animals during 
transport and amending Directives 90/425/EEC and 91/496/EEc(7); 
(1) OJ No C 
(2) OJ NO C 
(3) OJ No C 
(4) OJ No L 89, 06.04.1988, p. 32 
(5) OJ No L 373, 31.12.1990, p. 1. 
(6) OJ No L 268, 24.9.1991, p. 56. 
(7) OJ No L 340, 11.12.1991, p. 17. 
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Whereas this progress makes it possible to lay down fresh provisions on 
computerization of veterinary import precedures and repeal Decision 
88/192/EEC; 
Whereas these fresh provisions must help protect public and animal health 
while permitting attainment of the internal market for animals and animal 
products; 
Whereas these new provisions are all the more necessary in that inspection at 
internal frontiers is to be discontinued; 
Whereas computerization of import procedures must provide an efficient way for 
an official veterinarian rejecting a consignment at a border inspection post 
to pass on relevant information and also data bases detailing import 
requirements and imports of animals and animal products; 
Whereas Directives 90/675/EEC, 91/496/EEC and 91/628/EEC should be amended 
accordingly; 
Whereas Council Decision 90/424/EEC of 26 June 1990 on expenditure in the 
veterinary field<8), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3763/9l(9), 
should be amended to allow the Community to contribute financially to 
implementation of these new measures; 
Whereas the Commission should be charged with adoption of the necessary 
implementing rules; 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
(8) OJ No L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 19. 
(9) OJ No L 356, 24.12.1991, p. 1 
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Article 1 
1. Computerization of veterinary import procedures shall comprise: 
- a procedure for passing on the relevant information when an official 
veterinarian at a border inspection post re-routes a consignment 
- operation of data bases covering the Community's import requirements 
for animals and products 
- operation of data bases covering imports into the Community of 
animals and products 
- certificate issuing arrangements. 
2. The computerization specified in paragraph 1 shall meet present and future 
international standards. 
Article 2 
For the purposes of this Decision the definitions given in Directives 
90/675/EEC, 91/496/EEC and 91/628/EEC shall be applicable as required. 
Article 3 
1. The information procedure referred to in the first indent of Article 1 
shall cover border inspection posts, the central authorities of the Member 
States and the Commission. 
2. The information procedure referred to in the first indent of Article 1 
shall operate as specified in Annex I hereto. 
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Article 4 
1. The data bases referred to in the second indent of Article 1 shall contain 
full details of requirements for importing animals and products into the 
Community, in particular lists of authorized third countries, approved 
establishments, protective measures adopted and authorized specimen 
certificates. 
2. The data bases referred to in the second indent of Article 1 shall be 
organized and operated as specified in Annex II hereto. 
Article 5 
1. The data bases referred to in the third indent of Article 1 shall contain 
full information on each consignment of animals or products brought into 
the community, covering in particular the conditions of transport of the 
animals as specified in chapter III of Directive 91/628/EEC and the 
outcome of the checks carried out under Directives 90/675/EEC and 
91/496/EEC. 
2. The data bases referred to in the third indent of Article 1 shall be 
organized and operated as specified in Annex III hereto. 
Article 6 
1. Computerized certification as referred to in the fourth indent of Article 
1 shall be progressively introduced in cooperation with third countries on 
the basis of experience derived from initial tests. 
2. The tests indicated in paragragh 1 shall be organized as indicated in 
Annex IV hereto. 
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Article 7 
The equipment used at border inspection posts for the purposes of this 
Decision shall be that specified in Article 2(2) of Commission Decision 
91/998/EEC of 19 July 1991 on a computerized network linking veterinary 
authorities (Animo)(^®). 
Article 8 
Decision 88/192/EEC is repealed. 
Article 9 
Directive 90/675/EEC is amended as follows: 
1. The following indent is added to Article 4(1): 
"- that no indication of rejection of the consignment has been given 
through the information procedure specified at the first indent of 
Article 1 of Council Decision / /EEC of on computerization 
of veterinary import procedures (Shift project), amending Directives 
90/675/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 91/628/EEC and Decision 90/424/EEC and 
repealing Decision 88/192/EEC*". 
* OJNOL 
2. The following point (d) is added to Article 8(2): 
"(d) consult the data bases specified at the second indent of 
Article 1 of Decision / /EEC". 
3. The following sentence is added to Article 9(2)(iii): 
"He shall ensure that all updating of the data bases indicated at the 
third indent of Article 1 of Decision / /EEC is carried out." 
(10) OJNOL 221, 9.8.1991, p. 30. 
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4. The first indent in Article 11(4)(b) is replaced by: 
"- using the computerized network linking veterinary authorities 
(Animo), give the official veterinarian at the inspection post of the 
place of destination notice of the passage of the products and of 
their probable date of arrival". 
5. The following sentence is added to Article 11(4)(b): 
"In such cases the competent authority shall be informed through the 
computerized network linking veterinary authorities (Animo)." 
6. In Article 16(1)(a) the first indent is replaced by: 
"- activate the information procedure indicated at the first indent of 
Article 1 of Decision / /EEC". 
7. In Article 16(1)(a) the third indent is deleted. 
8. Article 16(5) is replaced by: 
"5. The provisions of Decision / /EEC shall apply." 
Article 10 
Directive 91/496/EEC is amended as follows: 
1. The following indent is added to Article 4(1): 
"- that no indication of rejection of the consignment has been given 
through the information procedure specified in the first indent of 
Article 1 of Council Decision / /EEC of on 
computerization of veterinary import procedures (Shift project), 
amending Directives 90/675/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 91/628/EEC and Decision 
90/424/EEC and repealing Decision 88/192/EEC*" 
* OJ No L 
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2. In Article 4(2) the following point (e) is added: 
"(e) the check must be made after reference to the data bases specified at 
the second indent of Article 1 of Decision / /EEC". 
3. In Article 6(2) the following sentence is added: 
"The official veterinarian shall ensure that all updating of the data 
bases indicated at the third indent in Article 1 of Decision / /EEC is 
carried out." 
4. In Article 9(4)(d) the words "referred to in the second subparagraph of 
Article 12(4) are replaced by "referred to in Article 20 of Directive 
90/425/EEC". 
5. In Article 12(1)(c) the first indent is replaced by: 
"- activate the information procedure indicated at the first indent of 
Article 1 of Decision / /EEC". 
6. In Article 12(1)(c) the third indent is deleted. 
7. Article 12(4) is replaced by: 
"4. The provisions of Decision / /EEC shall apply." 
8. In the first subparagraph of Article 30(2) the words "in the second 
subparagraph of" are deleted. 
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Article 11 
In Article 11 of Directive 91/628/EEC the following paragraph is added: 
"5. The provisions of Council Decision / /EEC of on computerization 
of veterinary import procedures (Shift project), amending Directives 
90/675/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 91/628/EEC and Decision 90/424/EEC and repealing 
Decision 88/192/EEC shall be applicable*." 
* OJ No L 
Article 12 
The following Article is added to Decision 90/424/EEC: 
"Article 37a 
1. Community financial assistance may be granted for computerization of 
import procedures as specified in Council Decision / /EEC of 
on computerization of veterinary import procedures (Shift project), 
amending Directives 90/675/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 91/628/EEC and Decision 
90/424/EEC and repealing Decision 88/192/EEC*. 
2. Organizational arrangements for financing under paragraph 1 and the level 
of the Community's contribution shall be determined in accordance with the 
procedure laid down in Article 41." 
* OJ No L 
Article 13 
Any rules required for application of this Decision shall be adopted in 
accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 14. 
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Article 14 
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Standing Veterinary Committee set 
up by Council Decision 68/361/EEc(11), hereinafter referred to as "the 
Committee" . 
2. Where reference is made to the procedure set out in this Article the 
following provisions shall apply. 
The representative of the Commission shall submit to the Committee a draft 
of the measures to be taken. The Committee shall deliver its opinion on 
the draft, within a time limit that the chairman may lay down according to 
the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote. 
The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition each Member 
State shall have the right to ask to have its position recorded in the 
minutes. 
The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by 
the committee. It shall inform the Committee of the manner in which its 
opinion has been taken into account. 
Article 15 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States 
Done at Brussels, 
For the Council 
(11) OJ No L 255, 18.10.1968, p. 23 
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ANNEX I 
1. The basic principle of the system is that each relevant authority (border 
inspection post, central authority of the Member state, Commission) will 
have random access to a computerized file of consignments of animals or 
products re-dispatched under Article 12(1)(c) of Directive 91/496/EEC or 
Article 16(1)(a) of Directive 90/675/EEC. 
2. This file will be updated by the competent authorities of the Member 
States. Information must be conveyed with all speed via the public packet-
switching network. 
3. The Commission shall be responsible for the network. The operator shall be 
selected and the overall technical specifications of the network determined 
in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 14. 
4. The following cases of re-despatch are not to be entered in the file: 
- absence of veterinary certificates or document. 
The provisions of this paragraph may be amended in accordance with the 
procedure laid down in Article 14. 
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ANNEX II 
1. The Commission shall establish a data base of the Community requirements 
for importation of live animals and products and shall make it available to 
each Member State and each border inspection post. 
2. Each Member State shall establish a data base of national requirements (not 
covered by paragraph 1) for importation of live animals and products into 
its territory. Each will make this available to the other Member states, 
the Commission and all Community border inspection posts. 
3. Each Member State shall determine how its border inspection posts are to 
have access to the data bases indicated in paragraphs 1 and 2. 
4. The Commission shall be responsible for updating the data base indicated in 
paragraph 1. The Member states shall be individually responsible for 
updating the data bases indicated in paragraph 2. 
5. The technical requirements for harmonization of the data bases and for 
their updating shall be determined in accordance with the procedure laid 
down in Article 14. 
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ANNEX III 
1. Each Member State shall set up a data base covering the animals and 
products brought into its territory. 
2. Each Member state shall transmit to the Commission, at a frequency or 
frequencies to be determined in accordance with the procedure laid down in 
Article 14, information extracted from the data bases indicated in 
paragraph 1. 
3. The technical requirements for harmonization of the data bases and for 
transmission of information to the Commission shall be determined in 
accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 14. 
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ANNEX IV 
Computerized certification will be introduced gradually as the technical 
facilities available to third-country authorities permit. 
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT 
I covering: 
1'roposal fo»- a Council Decision on computerization of veterinary import procedures 
(Shift project), amending Directives 90/67S/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 91/628/EEC and Decision 
90/424/EEc and repealing Decision a8/192/EEC 
Budget heading; Item: Description: 
1992: B2-5101 Other measures 
1993: B5-/22 Exchanges of veterinary and plant health 
informati c-.i 
2. Legal basis: Article 43 of Treaty 
Classification: Non-compulsory expenditure 
4. Aim of measure and description: 
Computerization of veterinary import procedures (Shift project) for live animals and 
animal products from third countries 
5. Calculation procedure: 
5.1. Nature of expenditure: Setting up a computerized system 
5.2. Comunity contribution: Purchase of necessary equipment; support and development work 
From 50% to 100%, variable in line with options selected 
5.3. Calculation: (in million ECU) 
1992 Development and setting up (including equipment) 
- of a computerized consignment rejection file 
system architecture 0.1 
software development 0.3 
computer hardware and system software 0.8 
installation (centrally and in Member States) 0.4 
- of central databases covering Comunity import requirements 
development of software and entry of data 0.3 
- of national databases covering national import requirements 
aid to Member States 1.2 
harmonization of technical requirements 0.4 
1.6 
- of databases covering imports 
harmonization of technical requirements 0.4 
Outside assistance (upkeep and entry of data, software 
development, operational assistance, etc.) 0.2 
4.1 
199 3 Aid to Member States, including hardware and interfaces 3.0 
Hardware and software 0.3 
Equipment maintenance 0.2 
Training and updating courses 0.2 
Outside assistance (maintenance and development work, data 
entry, operational assistance, etc.) 0.5 
4.2 
Outside assistance (0.5+0.5) 1.0 
Training and updating courses (0.2+0.2) 0.4 
System development depending on needs 
and technical requirements pm 1994 and 1995: 
6. Implications for operating appropriations 
6.1. Timetable for appropriations (in million ECU) 
6.2 Financing during y«-.»r in course: 
7. Remarks: C.Apps P.Apps 
1992 4.1 2.5 
1993 4.2 4.1 
1994 0.7 (+ pm) 2.4 
199 5 0.7 (+ pm) 0.7 
9.7 9.7 
4.1 m ECU 
(1) Presentation is based on working hypotheses and is subject to change in line with 
technical and political choices made in course of realization 
(2) In 1992 part of the cost of development work will be covered by CADDIA (0.6 m ECU) 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM (92) 167 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 03 
Catalogue number: CB-CO-92-183-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-43610-7 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
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