2004/413/EC:Commission Decision of 28 April 2004 amending Commission Decision 2000/585/EC as regards the animal health conditions and veterinary certification for rabbit meat and certain wild and farmed game meat transiting or being temporarily stored in the Community
Date: 2004-04-28
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: game meat, health certificate, import, pigmeat, rabbit meat, third country, veterinary inspection

L 151/54

EN 

Official Journal of the European Union 

30.4.2004 

COMMISSION DECISION 

of 28 April 2004 

amending Commission Decision 2000/585/EC as regards the animal health conditions and 
veterinary certification for rabbit meat and certain wild and farmed game meat transiting 
or being temporarily stored in the Community 

(notified under docyment number C(2004) 1560) 

(Text with EEA relevance) 

(2004/413/EC) 

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, 

Having regard to Council Directive 2002/99/EC of 16 December 2002 laying down the animal 
health  rules  governing  the  production,  processing,  distribution  and  introduction  of  products  of 
animal origin for human consumption1, in particular Article 8 (5), third indent, and Article 9 (2) 
(b) and (4) (c), 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

1 
2 

3 

4 

Council  Directive  91/494/EEC  of  26  June  1991  lays  down  animal  health  conditions 
governing  intra-Community  trade  in  and  imports  from  third  countries  of  fresh  poultry 
meat2. 

Council Directive 92/45/EEC of 16 June 1992 lays down provisions on public health and 
animal health problems relating to the killing of wild game and the placing on the market 
of wild game meat3. 

Council Directive 92/118/EEC of 17 December 1992 lays down animal health and public 
health requirements governing trade in and imports into the Community of products not 
subject  to  the  said  requirements  laid  down  in  specific  Community  rules  referred  to  in 
Annex  A,  Chapter  I,  to  Directive  89/662/EEC  and,  as  regards  pathogens,  to  Directive 
90/425/EEC4. 

OJ L 18, 23.1.2002, p. 11. 
OJ  L  268,  24.9.1991,  p.  35.  Directive  as  last  amended  by  Directive  1999/89/EC  (OJ  L  300,  23.11.1999, 
p. 17.). 
OJ  L  268,  14.9.92,  p.  35.  Directive  as  last  amended  by  Council  Regulation (EC)  No  806/2003  (OJ  L 122, 
16.5.2003, p. 1.). 
OJ  L  62,  15.3.1993.  p.  49.  Directive  as  last  amended  by  Commission  Decision  2003/721/EC  (OJ  L  260, 
11.10.2003, p. 21.). 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
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L 151/55

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

Commission  Decision  2000/585/EC  lays  down  a  list  of  third  countries  from  which 
Member States authorise imports of rabbit meat and certain wild and farmed game meat, 
and provides for the animal and public health and the veterinary certification conditions 
for such imports5. 

Council  Directive  97/78/EC  lays  down  the  principles  governing  the  organisation  of 
veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries6 and certain 
provisions  for  transit  are  already  provided  for  in  Article  11  such  as  the  use  of  ANIMO 
messages and of the common veterinary entry document. 

However, it is necessary in order to safeguard the disease situation in the Community to 
further  ensure  that  consignments  of  game  meat  transiting  through  the  Community, 
comply  with  the  animal  health  import  conditions  applicable  for  authorised  countries  in 
regard to the relevant species concerned. 

Council  Decision  79/542/EEC  drawing  up  a  list  of  third  countries  or  parts  of  third 
countries,  and  laying  down  animal  and  public  health,  and  veterinary  certification 
conditions for the importation into the Community of certain live animals and their fresh 
meat7, has recently been amended to include general transit conditions and a derogation 
for  transit  between  Russia  with  a  reference  to  the  specific  border  inspection  posts 
designated for this latter purpose. 

In the light of experience, it appears that the presentation  to the border inspection post, 
pursuant  to  Article  7  of  Directive  97/78/EC,  of  the  original  veterinary  documents 
established in the exporting third country to fulfil the regulatory requirement of the third 
country  of  destination,  is  not  sufficient  to  ensure  that  the  animal  health  conditions 
required  for  the  safe  introduction  into  the  territory  of  the  Community  of  the  products 
concerned are effectively satisfied; it is therefore appropriate to establish a specific model 
of animal health certificate to be used in transit situations for the products concerned. 

It is further appropriate to clarify the implementation of the condition laid down in Article 
11 of Directive 97/78/EC, that transit is only allowed from third countries whose products 
are  not  prohibited  for  introduction  in  the  territory  of  the  Community,  by  making 
reference to the list of third countries annexed to Decision 2000/585/EC. 

(10)  However specific conditions for transits via the Community of consignments to and from 
Russia should be foreseen due to the geographical situation of Kaliningrad and taking into 
account climatic problems impeding the use of some ports at certain times of the year. 

(11)  Commission Decision 2001/881/EC draws up a list of border inspection posts agreed for 
veterinary  checks  on  animals  and  animal  products  from  third  countries8  and  it  is 

5 

6 

7 

8 

OJ  L  251,  6.10.2000,  p.  1.  Decision  as  last  amended  by  Commission  Decision  2004/212/EC  (OJ  L  73, 
11.3.2004, p. 11.). 
OJ L 24, 30.1.1998, p. 9. Directive as last amended by the Act concerning the conditions of Accession (OJ L 
236, 23.9.2003, p. 381.). 
OJ  L  146,  14.6.1979,  p.  15.  Decision  as  last  amended  by  Commission  Decision  2004/212/EC  (OJ  L  73, 
11.3.2004, p. 11.). 
OJ L 326, 11.12.2001, p. 44. Decision as last amended by Commission Decision 2003/831/EC (OJ L 313, 
28.11.2003, p. 61.). 

 
                                                 
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Official Journal of the European Union 

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appropriate  to  specify  the  border  inspection  posts  designated  for  the  control  of  such 
transits taking into account this Decision. 

(12) 

The  animal  health  certificate  Model  E  in  Annex  III  to  the  English  version  of  Decision 
2000/585 contains a redactional error as regards identification of meat. This error should 
be corrected for reason of clarity. 

(13)  Commission Decision 2000/585/EC should be amended accordingly. 

(14) 

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 

Article1 

Commission Decision 2000/585/EC is amended as follows: 

1. 

The following Article 2a is inserted: 

“Article 2a 

Member  States  shall  ensure  that  consignments  of  rabbit  and  game  meat  for  human 
consumption introduced into the territory of the Community and which are destined for 
a third country either by transit immediately or after storage in accordance with Articles 
12 (4) or 13 of Directive 97/78/EC, and not intended for importation into the EC shall 
comply with the following requirements: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

they  shall  come  from  the  territory  of  a  third  country  or  a  part  thereof  listed  in 
Annex I to this Decision for the import of fresh meat of that species. 

they shall meet the specific animal health guarantees and conditions for the species 
concerned  set  out  in  Annex  II  and  in    the  corresponding  model  animal  health 
certificate drawn up under Annex III. 

they  shall  be  accompanied  by  an  animal  health  certificate  established  in 
accordance  with  the  model  K  laid  down  in  Annex  III,  signed  by  an  official 
veterinarian of the competent veterinary services of the third country concerned. 

they  are  certified  as  acceptable  for  transit  or  storage  (as  appropriate)  on  the 
Common  Veterinary  Entry  Document  by  the  Official  Veterinarian  of  the  Border 
Inspection Post of introduction.” 

2. 

The following Article 2b is inserted: 

 
 
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“Article 2b 

1. 

By way of derogation from Article 2a Member States shall authorise the transit by 
road  or  by  rail  through  the  Community,  between  designated  Community  border 
inspection  posts  listed  in  Annex  to  Decision  2001/881/EC,  of  consignments 
coming from and destined to Russia directly or via another third country provided 
that the following conditions are met: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

the consignment shall be sealed with a serially numbered seal at the border 
inspection  post  of  entry  to  the  EC  by  the  veterinary  services  of  the 
competent authority; 

the documents accompanying the consignment and referred to in Article 7 
of Directive 97/78/EC shall be stamped “ONLY FOR TRANSIT TO RUSSIA 
VIA  THE  EC”  on  each  page  by  the  official  veterinarian  of  the  competent 
authority responsible for the BIP; 

the  procedural  requirements  provided  for  in  Article  11  of  Directive 
97/78/EC shall be complied with; 

the  consignment  is  certified  as  acceptable  for  transit  on  the  Common 
Veterinary  Entry  Document  by  the  Official  Veterinarian  of  the  Border 
Inspection Post of introduction. 

2. 

3. 

unloading  or  storage,  as  defined  in  Article12  (4)  or  Article  13  of  Directive 
97/78/EC, on EC territory of such consignments shall not be allowed. 

regular audits shall be made by the competent authority to ensure that the number 
of  consignments  and  the  quantities  of  products  leaving  the  EC  territory  matches 
the number and quantities entering.” 

3. 

The Annexes are amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision. 

Article 2 

This Decision shall apply from 1 May 2004. 

Article 1 point 1 and the Annex shall only apply from 1 January 2005. 

This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 

Article 3 

 
L 151/58

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Official Journal of the European Union 

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Done at Brussels, 28 April 2004. 

For the Commission 
David BYRNE 
Member of the Commission 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Annex III to Decision 2000/585/EC is amended as follow: 

ANNEX 

1. 

2. 

3. 

in Model E, section I., the word “zebra” is deleted. 

in Model E, section IV, point (4), the word “zebra” is replaced by “land mammals”. 

the following model K is added: 

 
L 151/60

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Official Journal of the European Union 

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“MODEL K 

ANIMAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE 
(Transit and/or storage) 

2. 

5. 

Model TRANSIT/STORAGE 
1. 

Consignor (name and address in full)  
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 

…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
Consignee (name and address in full) 

…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 

VETERINARY CERTIFICATE 

for fresh rabbit meat and certain wild and farmed game 
meat (1), for [transit] / [storage](2) (7)   in the European 
Community 

No(3)  

ORIGINAL 

3.  Origin of the meat (4)  
3.1 

ISO code and name of Country: 
………………………………………………… 
3.2  Code of territory : ……………………………………… 

4. 

Competent Authority 

…….……………………………………………………. 

4.1  Ministry:………………………………………………… 

…….……………………………………………………. 
Intended [transit] / [storage](2) (7) destination of the 
meat 

5.1  Storage in EU Member  

State:………………………………………. 
Name and address of the establishment(5) (10) 
:……………………………………… 
…….……………………………………………………. 

5.2    Transit final third country destination(10): 

….……………………………………………………. 
Exit Community BIP name and address(10): 
…….……………………………………………………. 
7.  Means of transport and consignment identification(6) 

7.1 

 [Lorry] / [Rail-wagon] / [Ship] / [Aircraft](7) 

7.2  Registration number(s), ship name or flight number :….. 

4.2  Service:………………………………………………….. 
…….……………………………………………………. 

4.3  Local/Regional level:…………………………………… 

…….……………………………………………………. 

6. 

…….……………………………………………………. 
Place of loading for exportation 
…….……………………………………………………. 

…….……………………………………………………. 

7.3  Consignment identification details(8): 

…….……………………………………………………. 

…….……………………………………………………. 

…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 

…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 

8. 

Identification of the meat 

8.1  Meat from: ……..……………………………………………………………………….…………………. (animal species). 
8.2  Temperature conditions of the meat included in this consignment : [chilled]/[frozen](7)  

8.3 

Individual identification of the meat included in this consignment : 

Nature 

Number of the establishment(s) 

Number of 

Net 

                  of cuts(8)                   |   Slaughterhouse | Cutting/Manufacturing |   Cold store   |    packages/pieces  | weight(kg) . 
                                                   |                             |                                       |                       |                               |                   . 
                                                   |                             |                                       |                       |                               |                   . 
                                                   |                             |                                       |                       |                               |                   . 
                                                   |                             |                                       |                       |                               |                   . 
                                                   |                             |                                       |                       |                               |                   . 
                                                   |                             |                                       |                       |                               |                   . 
                                                   |                             |                                       |                       |                               |                   . 
                                                   |                             |                                       |                       |                               |                   . 
                                                   |                             |                                       |                       |                               |                   . 
                                                   |                             |                                       |                       |                               |                   . 
                                                                                                                                   Total     |                               |                   . 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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9.  Animal Health attestation 

I, the undersigned official veterinarian, hereby certify, that the meat described above : 
comes  from  a  country  as  laid  down  in  Annex  II  or  region  authorized  for  imports  into  the  EC  as  laid  down  in  Annex  I  to 
Commission Decision 2000/585/EC at the time of slaughter and 
complies  with  the  relevant  animal  health  conditions  as  laid  down  in  the  animal  health  attestation  in  the  model  certificate 
[C]/[D]/[E]/[H]/[I] (7) in Annex III to Commission Decision 2000/585/EC and 
is derived from animals which were slaughtered and processed on or between  ……. (9). 

9.1 

9.2 

9.3 

Official stamp and signature 

Done at ……………………………………………….. on .................................................................................................................  

(stamp) (11) 

(signature of official veterinarian) (11) 

(name in capital letters, qualifications and title) 

Notes 
(1)  meat of wild game birds that do not contain offal, except in the case of unplucked and uneviscerated game birds; meat of farmed 
game birds, meat of wild leporidae, defined as rabbits and hares, that do not contain offal, except in the case of unskinned and 
uneviscerated leporidae, meat of farmed rabbits, meat of wild  land  mammals, other  than ungulates and leporidae, that do  not 
contain offal 
In accordance with Article 12 (4) or Article 13 of Council Directive 97/78/EC. 
Issued by the competent authority. 

(2) 
(3) 
(4)  Country as laid down in Annex II and description of territory as appearing in Annex I to Commission Decision  2000/585/EC (as 

last amended). 

(5)  Address (and approval number if known) of the warehouse in a free zone, free warehouse, customs warehouse or ship chandler 

(6) 

shall be included. 
The registration number(s) of rail-wagon or lorry and the name of the ship should be given as appropriate. If known, the flight 
number of the aircraft. 
In case of transport in containers or boxes, the total number, their registration and seal numbers, if present, should be indicated 
under point 7.3. 
(7)  Keep as appropriate. 
(8)  Complete if appropriate. 
(9)  Date or dates of slaughter. Imports of this meat shall not be allowed when obtained from animals slaughtered either prior to the 
date of authorisation for exportation to the European Community of the territory mentioned under (4), or during a period where 
restrictive measures have been adopted by the European Community against imports of this meat from this territory. 

(10)  Complete as appropriate. 
(11)  The colour of the signature shall be different to that of the printing. The same rule applies to stamps other than those embossed 

or watermark. 

“