2004/177/EC: Commission Decision of 20 February 2004 on the temporary introduction of registered horses participating in the Olympic Games or the Paralympic Games in Greece in 2004 (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2004) 499)
Date: 2004-02-20
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Greece, Olympic games, animal disease, equidae, health certificate

L 55/64

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

24.2.2004

COMMISSION DECISION

of 20 February 2004

on the temporary introduction of registered horses participating in the Olympic Games or the
Paralympic Games in Greece in 2004

(notified under document number C(2004) 499)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2004/177/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 90/426/EEC of 26 June
1990 on animal health conditions governing the movement
and import from third countries of equidae (1), and in particular
Article 19(ii) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

In accordance with Commission Decision 92/260/EEC of
10 April 1992 on animal health conditions and veter-
inary certification for temporary admission of registered
horses (2) and with Commission Decision 93/197/EEC of
5 February 1993 on animal health conditions and veter-
inary certification for imports of registered equidae and
equidae for breeding and production (3), guarantees must
be provided to ensure that uncastrated male horses older
than 180 days do not pose a risk as regards the
spreading of equine viral arteritis.

Registered horses participating in the Olympic Games in
Athens, Greece, in August 2004 will be under the veter-
inary supervision of the competent authorities of Greece
and the organising Fédération Equestre International
(FEI).

Registered horses participating in the XII Paralympic
Games in Athens, Greece, in September 2004, will be
under
the competent
authorities of Greece.

the veterinary supervision of

Certain male horses qualified for the participation in
these high level equestrian events may not comply with
the requirements laid down in Decisions 92/260/EEC or
93/197/EEC respectively as regards equine viral arteritis.

A derogation from those requirements should therefore
be provided for horses temporarily admitted or imported
for these sporting events. That derogation should set out
conditions excluding any risk of spreading equine viral
arteritis.

The measures provided for in this Decision are in
accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee
on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

(1) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 42. Directive as last amended by Regu-

lation (EC) No 806/2003 (OJ L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 1).

(2) OJ L 130, 15.5.1992, p. 67. Decision as last amended by Decision

2004/117/EC (OJ L 36, 7.2.2004, p. 20).

(3) OJ L 86, 6.4.1993, p. 16. Decision as last amended by Decision

2004/117/EC.

Article 1

1.
By way of derogation from Decision 92/260/EEC,
Member States shall authorise the temporary admission of
uncastrated male registered horses for the purpose of participa-
tion in the equestrian events of the Olympic Games or the
Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece, in August and September
2004 respectively, without requiring the guarantees provided
for in that Decision as regards equine viral arteritis provided
that the requirements set out in paragraph 2 are fulfilled.

The animal health certificate established in accordance
2.
with Annex II to Decision 92/260/EEC shall comply with the
following requirements:

(a) section III point (e)(v) of certificate A, B, C, D and E, and
section III point (f)(v) of certificate F relating to equine viral
arteritis, shall be deleted by the official veterinarian who
signs the certificate;

(b) the following shall be added to the certificates:

‘Registered horse admitted in accordance with Commission
Decision 2004/177/EC (*).

(*) OJ L 55, 24.2.2004, p. 64.’

(c) the following shall be added to the declaration which is

attached to the certificates:

‘The horse covered by this certificate is intended to partici-
pate in the equestrian events of the Olympic Games/Para-
lympic Games (delete as appropriate) and will not be used for
breeding or for the collection of semen during its residence
in a Member State of the European Union.

Arrangements have been made to transport the horse out
of the European Union without delay after the equestrian
events of the Olympic Games/Paralympic Games (delete as
appropriate) have ended.

Date and place of scheduled export from the European
Union: …’

24.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 55/65

Article 2

1.
By way of derogation from Decision 93/197/EEC,
Member States shall authorise the temporary introduction of
uncastrated male registered horses from the Falkland Islands,
Kyrgyzstan and Saint Pierre and Miquelon for the purpose of
participation in the equestrian events of the Olympic Games or
the Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece,
in August and
September 2004 respectively, without requiring the guarantees
provided for in that Decision as regards equine viral arteritis
provided that the requirements set out in paragraphs 2 are
fulfilled.

2.
The animal health certificate established in accordance
with Annex II to Decision 93/197/EEC shall comply with the
following requirements:

(a) section III point (e)(v) of certificate A, B and G relating to
equine viral arteritis, shall be deleted by the official veteri-
narian who signs the certificate;

(b) the following shall be added to the certificates:

‘Registered horse admitted in accordance with Commission
Decision 2004/177/EC (*).

(*) OJ L 55, 24.2.2004, p. 64.’

(c) the following shall be added to the declaration which is

attached to the certificates:
‘The horse covered by this certificate is intended to partici-
pate in the equestrian events of the Olympic Games/Para-
lympic Games (delete as appropriate) and will not be used for
breeding or for the collection of semen during its residence
in a Member State of the European Union.

Arrangements have been made to transport the horse out
of the European Union without delay after the equestrian
events of the Olympic Games/Paralympic Games (delete as
appropriate) have ended.

Date and place of scheduled export from the European
Union: …’

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Article 3

Done at Brussels, 20 February 2004.

For the Commission

David BYRNE

Member of the Commission