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
Date: 1992-05-04
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: animal product, database, import, live animal, third country, veterinary inspection

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) 

/-

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. 

-1l^ o 

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. 

- 2-

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 

-3-

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. 

- 4-

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. 

-5-

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)(^®). 

Decision  88/192/EEC is repealed. 

Article 8 

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*". 

*  O J N OL 

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)  O J N OL  221, 9.8.1991,  p. 30. 

-6-

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." 

Directive  91/496/EEC is amended  as follows: 

Article  10 

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 

-7-

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. 

- 8-

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. 

-9-

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 

-  10 -

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. 

- 11 -

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. 

-  12 -

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. 

- 13 -

ANNEX IV 

Computerized  certification  will  be  introduced  gradually  as  the  technical 

facilities available to third-country authorities permit. 

-ih-

F I N A N C I AL 

S T A T E M E NT 

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; 
1992: 
1993: 

Item: 
B2-5101 
B5-/22 

Description: 
Other measures 
Exchanges of veterinary and plant health 
informati c-.i 

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 
software development 
computer  hardware and  system  software 
installation  (centrally and  in Member  States) 

- of central databases  covering  Comunity  import  requirements 

development  of  software and entry of data 

- of national databases  covering  national  import  requirements 

aid  to Member  States 
harmonization  of technical  requirements 

- of databases covering  imports 

harmonization  of  technical  requirements 

Outside assistance  (upkeep and  entry of data,  software 
development,  operational  assistance, etc.) 

199 3 

Aid to Member  States, including  hardware and  interfaces 
Hardware and  software 
Equipment  maintenance 
Training  and updating  courses 
Outside assistance  (maintenance and development  work, data 
entry, operational  assistance, etc.) 

1994 and 1995: 

Outside assistance 
Training  and updating  courses 
System development  depending  on  needs 
and  technical  requirements 

( 0 . 5 + 0 . 5) 
( 0 . 2 + 0 . 2) 

0.1 
0.3 
0.8 
0.4 

0.3 

1.2 
0.4 
1.6 

0.4 

0.2 
4.1 

3.0 
0.3 
0.2 
0.2 

0.5 
4.2 

1.0 
0.4 

pm 

6. 

Implications  for operating  appropriations 

6.1. Timetable  for appropriations  (in million  ECU) 

1992 
1993 
1994 
199 5 

C.Apps 
4.1 
4.2 
0.7  (+ pm) 
0.7  (+ pm) 
9.7 

P.Apps 
2.5 
4.1 
2.4 
0.7 
9.7 

6.2  Financing  during  y«-.»r in course: 

4.1 m ECU 

7.  Remarks: 

(1)  Presentation  is based on working  hypotheses  and  is subject  to change  in line with 

(2) 

technical  and political  choices made  in course of  realization 
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 

i --2985 Luxembourg