Amended proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the animal-health requirements applicable to non-commercial movement of pet animals (presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 250 (2) of the EC-Treaty)
Date: 2001-06-21
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: animal health, domestic animal, health control, public health, rabies, third country, transport of animals

25.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 270 E/109

Amended proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the animal-
health requirements applicable to non-commercial movement of pet animals (1)

(2001/C 270 E/16)

(Text with EEA relevance)

COM(2001) 349 final (cid:151) 2000/0221(COD)

(Submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty on 21 June 2001)

(1) OJ C 29 E, 30.1.2001, p. 239.

INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,

Unchanged

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular Articles 37 and 152(4)(b) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of
Committee,

the Economic and Social

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions,

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article
251 of the Treaty,

Whereas:

(1) Harmonisation of animal-health requirements applicable
to non-commercial movement of pet animals between
Member States and from third countries is necessary
and only measures adopted at Community level can
achieve that objective.

(2) This Regulation concerns movement of

live animals
covered by Annex I to the Treaty. Some of its provisions,
in particular concerning rabies, have as
their direct
objective the protection of public health, while others
concern solely animal health. Article 37 and Article
the Treaty are therefore the appropriate
152(4)(b) of
legal bases.

(3) Over the past ten years the rabies situation has improved
spectacularly throughout
the Community following the
implementation of programmes for the oral vaccination
of foxes in regions affected by the sylvatic-rabies epidemic
that has swept through north-eastern Europe since the
1960s.

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

(4) This

improvement has

led the United Kingdom and
Sweden to abandon the system of six months’ quarantine
they applied for decades, in favour of an alternative, less
restrictive system providing an equivalent level of safety.

(5) Cases of

in the
rabies observed in pet carnivores
Community now mainly affect animals originating in
third countries where an urban type of rabies is endemic.

(6) The animal-health requirements generally applied until
now by the Member States to pet carnivores introduced
from such third countries should accordingly be made
more stringent.

(7) As far as controls applicable to animals introduced into
the Community are concerned, however, derogations
from third
should
considered
from the animal-
countries and territories belonging,
health standpoint,
to the same geographical region as
the Community.

for movement

be

(8) The measures provided for in this Regulation seek to
ensure a satisfactory level of safety with regard to the
animal-health risks concerned. They do not constitute
unjustified barriers to movement falling within its scope
since they are based on the conclusions of the groups of
experts consulted on the matter, in particular a report of
the Scientific Veterinary Committee of 16 September
1997.

(9) A legal

framework should also be established for the
animal-health requirements applicable to non-commercial
movement of species of animals not affected by rabies or
of no epidemiological significance as regards rabies.

(10) This Regulation should apply without prejudice

to
provisions adopted pursuant to Council Regulation (EC)
No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of
species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade
therein (1), as last amended by Commission Regulation
(EC) No 1476/1999 (2).

(11) Since the measures necessary for the implementation of
this Regulation are measures of general scope within the
meaning of Article 2 of Council Decision 1999/468/EC of
28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise
of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (3),
they should be adopted by use of
regulatory
procedure provided for in Article 5 of that Decision.

the

___________
(1) OJ L 61, 3.3.1997, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 171, 7.7.1999, p. 5.
(3) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

(12) The Commission is to overhaul existing legislation on
trade in animals of
the species specified in Annex I,
Part A, with the aim of harmonising them with the
rules set out in this Regulation.

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Unchanged

Article 1

This Regulation lays down the animal-health requirements
applicable to non-commercial movement of pet animals and
the rules applying to checks on such movement.

Article 2

This Regulation applies to movement between Member States
or from third countries of animals of the species listed in
Annex I, accompanied by their owners or a natural person
who has
their
movement and which are not intended to be sold or transferred
to another owner, without prejudice to the second paragraph
of Article 4.

such animals during

responsibility

for

It shall apply without prejudice to the provisions adopted
pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 338/97.

Article 3

animals of
regarded as identified where they bear:

the species listed in Annex I, Part A, shall be

During an 8-year transitional period, beginning from the entry
into force of this Regulation, animals of the species listed in
Annex I, Part A, shall be regarded as identified where they
bear:

(a) either a clearly readable tattoo, or

Unchanged

(b) an electronic identification system (transponder).

In the case referred to in (b), where the transponder does not
comply with Standard ISO 11784 and Annex A to Standard
ISO 11785, the person with responsibility for the animal must
provide the means necessary for reading the transponder at the
time of any inspection.

Those Member States who require animals entering their
territory other
than into quarantine to be identified by
option (b) may continue to do so during the transitional
period.

After the transitional period mentioned above only option (b)
shall be accepted as the means of identification of an animal.

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

Article 4

Unchanged

Movement between Member States or from the third countries
or territories listed in Annex II, Part B, of animals of the
species listed in Annex I, Part B, shall not be subject to any
animal-health requirement.

The requirements applicable to movement between Member
States of pet animals of species not listed in Annex I shall be
laid down in accordance with the procedure referred to in
Article 16(3).

The requirements applicable to movement between Member
States of pet animals of species not listed in Annex I shall be
laid down in accordance with the procedure referred to in
Article 17(3).

The requirements applicable to movement of animals of the
species listed in Annex I, Part B, from third countries not listed
in Annex II, Part B, and the model certificate that must
accompany them shall be laid down in accordance with the
procedure referred to in Article 16(3).

The requirements applicable to movement of animals of the
species listed in Annex I, Part B, from third countries not listed
in Annex II, Part B, and the model certificate that must
accompany them shall be laid down in accordance with the
procedure referred to in Article 17(3).

Article 5

Unchanged

Animals of the species listed in Annex I, Part A, in movement
between Member States or from a third country listed in
Annex II, Part B, must meet the requirements laid down in
Annex III, Part A.

The young of animals specified in Annex I, Part A, shall also
meet the conditions laid down in this Regulation and thus
must not be moved before they have reached the required
age for vaccination and, where provided for in the rules,
subsequent antibody titration.

Where the Member State of destination is listed in Annex II,
Part A, the additional requirements laid down in Annex III, Part
B, may apply.

Unchanged

By way of derogation from the second paragraph, Member
States of destination listed in Annex II, Part A, may waive
any requirement relating to rabies in respect of movement to
their territory of animals from Member States on the same list
or from third countries listed in Annex II, Part B, Section 1.
They shall
inform the Commission and the other Member
States.

At the request of a Member State or on the Commission’s
initiative, where warranted by the rabies
situation in a
Member State or a third country listed in Annex II, Part B, a
decision may be taken in accordance with the procedure
referred to in Article 16(3)
the
species listed in Annex I, Part A, from that Member State or
that third country meet the requirements laid down in Article
6.

to ensure that animals of

At the request of a Member State or on the Commission’s
initiative, where warranted by the rabies
situation in a
Member State or a third country listed in Annex II, Part B, a
decision may be taken in accordance with the procedure
referred to in Article 17(3)
the
species listed in Annex I, Part A, from that Member State or
that third country meet the requirements laid down in Article
6.

to ensure that animals of

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

Article 6

Unchanged

Animals of the species listed in Annex I, Part A, from third
countries not
the
requirements laid down in Annex III, Part C.

listed in Annex II, Part B, must meet

Where they are initially introduced into the Community in a
Member State not listed in Annex II, Part A, they may only be
subsequently introduced in a Member State listed in Annex II,
Part A, if they comply with conditions laid down in Annex III,
Part B, and in particular six months after an antibody titration
on a sample carried out by a veterinarian authorised by the
competent authorities of a Member State.

However, where they are introduced directly into the territory
of the Member States listed in Annex II, Part A, they may be
subject to quarantine in accordance with rules adopted by the
Member States concerned, which shall inform the Commission
thereof.

Unchanged

Article 7

With regard to rabies, where the requirements applicable to
movement covered by this Regulation provide for titration of
the test must be carried out by a laboratory
antibodies,
Decision
with
in
approved
2000/258/EC (1).

accordance

Council

Article 8

Where a particular situation relating to a disease not covered
by any provisions of this Regulation arises, Member States may,
within three months after this Regulation enters into force,
submit an application to the Commission for additional guar-
antees covering pet animals introduced into their territory.

Such applications shall be accompanied by a report on their
situation with regard to the disease in question and setting out
grounds for the need for additional guarantees to prevent the
risk of introduction of the disease.

The additional guarantees provided for in this Article shall be
adopted after the Scientific Veterinary Committee has been
consulted in accordance with the procedure referred to in
Article 16(2).

The additional guarantees provided for in this Article shall be
adopted after the Scientific Veterinary Committee has been
consulted in accordance with the procedure referred to in
Article 17(2).

National measures in force on the entry into force of this
Regulation may be maintained pending the adoption of the
additional guarantees provided for in this Article.

Unchanged

___________
(1) OJ L 79, 30.3.2000, p. 40.

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

Where warranted by a particular situation, at the request of a
Member State or on the Commission’s initiative, a decision
may be taken in accordance with the procedure referred to
in Article 16(2) with a view to the adoption of measures
necessary to prevent any risk incurred by that situation.

Where warranted by a particular situation, at the request of a
Member State or on the Commission’s initiative, a decision
may be taken in accordance with the procedure referred to
in Article 17(2) with a view to the adoption of measures
necessary to prevent any risk incurred by that situation.

Article 9

Unchanged

Requirements other than those laid down in this Regulation
relating to movement of animals of the species listed in Annex
I, Part A, may be laid down in accordance with the procedure
referred to in Article 16(2).

Requirements other than those laid down in this Regulation
relating to movement of animals of the species listed in Annex
I, Part A, may be laid down in accordance with the procedure
referred to in Article 17(2).

The model certificates that must accompany animals of the
in movement within the
species listed in Annex I, Part A,
meaning of this Regulation shall be established in accordance
with the procedure referred to in Article 16(2).

The model certificates that must accompany animals of the
in movement within the
species listed in Annex I, Part A,
meaning of this Regulation shall be established in accordance
with the procedure referred to in Article 17(2).

Article 10

Unchanged

1.
The Annexes shall be amended in accordance with the
procedure referred to in Article 16(3) to take account of devel-
in the situation within Community territory as
opments
regards the diseases affecting the species covered by this Regu-
lation, and in particular rabies.

1.
The Annexes shall be amended in accordance with the
procedure referred to in Article 17(3) to take account of devel-
in the situation within Community territory as
opments
regards the diseases affecting the species covered by this Regu-
lation, and in particular rabies.

For the purposes of entering third countries on the list in

2.
Annex II, Part B, account shall be taken of:

Unchanged

(a) the structure and organisation of their veterinary services,

(b) their status with regard to rabies,

(c) regulations applicable to imports of carnivores,

(d) regulations in force on the marketing of antirabies vaccines

(list of authorised vaccines).

Article 11

The Member States shall take the measures necessary to ensure
that pet animals introduced into Community territory from
third countries other than those listed in Annex II, Part B,
Section 1, are checked by the competent authorities at the
point of entry into Community territory.

The Member States shall designate the authorities responsible
for such checks and immediately inform the Commission
thereof.

Article 12

Each Member State shall draw up a list of points of entry as
referred to in Article 11 and forward it to the other Member
States and to the Commission.

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

Such points of entry must have premises suitable, where
necessary, for housing animals covered by this Regulation, in
particular where their entry into Community territory is not
authorised, pending their return or any other administrative
decision.

Article 13

The authorities responsible within the Member States for the
movement of pets shall provide clear and easily accessible
information to the public concerning the health requirements
that apply for the non-commercial movement of pets between
Member States. They shall also ensure that personnel at border
points be fully informed of and able to implement this regu-
lation.

Article 13

Article 14

the animal must be able to present

At the time of any movement, the person with responsibility
for
the authorities
responsible for checks with a veterinary certificate to the
effect that the animal meets the requirements laid down for
such movement.

Unchanged

Where such checks reveal that the animal does not meet the
requirements laid down in this Regulation, the competent auth-
orities shall decide:

(a) to return the animal, or

(b) to place the animal in quarantine for the time necessary for

it to meet the health requirements, or

(c) as a last resort, to put the animal down where it cannot be

returned or placed in quarantine.

Article 14

Article 15

Any implementing measures necessary for the protection of
public health shall be adopted in accordance with the
procedure referred to in Article 16(3).

Any implementing measures necessary for the protection of
public health shall be adopted in accordance with the
procedure referred to in Article 17(3).

Other necessary implementing measures shall be adopted in
accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 16(2).

Other necessary implementing measures shall be adopted in
accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 17(2).

Article 15

Article 16

Any transitional provisions necessary for the protection of
public health shall be adopted in accordance with the
procedure referred to in Article 16(3).

Any transitional provisions necessary for the protection of
public health shall be adopted in accordance with the
procedure referred to in Article 17(3).

Other necessary transitional provisions shall be adopted in
accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 16(2).

Other necessary transitional provisions shall be adopted in
accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 17(2).

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

Article 16

AMENDED PROPOSAL

Article 17

The Commission shall be assisted by the Standing
set up by Article 1 of Council

1.
Veterinary Committee
Decision 68/361/EEC (1).

Unchanged

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, the regulatory
procedure laid down in Article 5 of Decision 1999/468/EC
shall apply, in compliance with Article 7 thereof.

3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, the regulatory
procedure laid down in Article 5 of Decision 1999/468/EC
shall apply, in compliance with Article 7 and Article 8 thereof.

The period provided for in Article 5(6) of Decision

4.
1999/468/EC shall be one month.

Article 17

Article 18

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day
following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the
European Communities.

Unchanged

It shall apply from 1 January 2002.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly
applicable in all Member States.

___________
(1) OJ C 255, 18.10.1968, p. 23.

ANNEX I

SPECIES OF ANIMALS

PART A

Dog

Cat

PART B

Arachnida and Insects, Fish, Amphibia, Reptiles, Birds: all species

Mammals: ferret, rabbit, guinea pig, hamster

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

ANNEX II

LISTS OF COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES

AMENDED PROPOSAL

PART A

Sweden

Ireland

United Kingdom

PART B

Section 1

Andorra

Iceland

Liechtenstein

Monaco

Norway

San Marino

Switzerland

The Vatican

Isle of Man, Channel Islands

Section 2

ANNEX III

VETERINARY REQUIREMENTS

PART A

The animals are to be accompanied by a certificate issued by a veter-
inarian authorised by the competent authorities to the effect that an
antirabies vaccination has been administered:

(cid:151) to an animal identified in accordance with Article 3;

(cid:151) more than one month and less than one year beforehand in the
is three

first vaccination carried out once the animal

case of
months old;

(cid:151) less than one year beforehand in the case of a booster vaccination;

(cid:151) with an inactivated vaccine complying with the international

Deleted

standard (WHO).

(cid:151) with an inactivated vaccine of at least one antigenic unit per dose

(WHO standard).

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

PART B

Unchanged

In addition to an antirabies vaccination certificate complying with Part
A, the animals are to be accompanied by a certificate to the effect that:

(cid:151) a neutralising antibody titration at least equal to 0,5 UI/ml has

been performed on a sample taken

(cid:151) more than six months prior to movement, and

(cid:151) more than 30 days after the preceding vaccination.

The sample for the antibody titration and the vaccination preceding it
must be carried out by a veterinarian authorised by the competent
authorities of a Member State or a third country listed in Annex II,
Part B.

PART C

The animals are to be accompanied by a certificate issued by a veter-
inarian authorised by an offical veterinary service to the effect that:

(a) an antirabies vaccination has been administered in accordance with

Part A;

(b) a neutralising antibody titration at least equal to 0,5 UI/ml has
been performed on a sample taken by an authorised veterinarian:

(cid:151) more than six months prior to movement, and

(cid:151) more than 30 days after the preceding vaccination.