2004/414/EC:Commission Decision of 28 April 2004 amending Commission Decision 2003/779/EC as regards the animal health conditions and veterinary certification for animal casings transiting or being temporarily stored in the Community
Date: 2004-04-28
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: animal product, health certificate, import, originating product, third country, veterinary legislation

L 151/62

EN 

Official Journal of the European Union 

30.4.2004 

COMMISSION DECISION 

of 28 April 2004 

amending Commission Decision 2003/779/EC as regards the animal health conditions and 
veterinary certification for animal casings transiting or being temporarily stored in the 
Community 

(notified under document number C(2004) 1561) 

(Text with EEA relevance) 

(2004/414/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 consumption 1, 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  92/118/EEC  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(1)  to 
Directive 89/662/EEC and, as regards pathogens, to Directive 90/425/EEC 2. 

Commission  Decision  2003/779/EC  lays  down  animal  health  conditions  and  veterinary 
certificates for the importation of animal casings from third countries 3. 

Council  Directive  97/78/EC  lays  down  the  principles  governing  the  organisation  of 
veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries 4 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. 

OJ L 18, 23.1.2002, p. 11. 
OJ L 62, 15.3.1993, p. 49. Directive as last amended by Decision 2003/721/EC (OJ L 260, 11.10.2003, p. 
21). 
OJ L 285, 1.11.2003, p. 38. 
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). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
30.4.2004 

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Official Journal of the European Union 

L 151/63

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

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

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 
meat  5,  has  recently  been  amended  to  include  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. 

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. 

Commission Decision 2001/881/EC draws up a list of border inspection posts agreed for 
veterinary  checks  on  animals  and  animal  products  from  third  countries  6  and  it  is 
appropriate  to  specify  the  border  inspection  posts  designated  for  the  control  of  such 
transits taking into account this Decision. 

(9) 

It is opportune to amend the animal health certificate for the import of animal casings to 
reflect the format laid down for other certificates. 

(10)  Commission Decision 2003/779/EC should be amended accordingly. 

(11) 

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: 

Article 1 

Commission Decision 2003/779/EC is amended as follows: 

1. 

Article 1 is replaced with the following: 

5  

6 

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.). 

 
 
                                                 
L 151/64

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Official Journal of the European Union 

30.4.2004 

‘Article 1 

Member States shall authorise the importation of animal casings from any third country 
accompanied by a health certificate as laid down in Annex I A, which shall consist of one 
sheet  and  shall  be  completed  in  at  least  one  official  language  of  the  Member  State 
carrying out the import control.’ 

2. 

The following Article 1a is inserted: 

‘Article 1a 

Member States shall ensure that consignments of animal casing 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) 

they shall meet the specific animal health conditions set out in the model animal 
health certificate drawn up under Annex I A; 

they  shall  be  accompanied  by  an  animal  health  certificate  established  in 
accordance  with  the  model  laid  down  in  Annex  I  B,  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.’ 

3. 

The following Article 1b is inserted: 

‘Article 1b 

1. 

By way of derogation from Article 1a, 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) 

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; 

 
 
 
30.4.2004 

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Official Journal of the European Union 

L 151/65

(c) 

(d) 

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. 

unloading  or  storage,  as  defined  in  Article  12  (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.’ 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Annex I is replaced by the Annex to this Decision. 

Article 2 

The  previous  animal  health  certificate  drawn  up  under  Commission  Decision  2003/779/EC  for 
the  importation  of  animal  casings  may  be  used  until  6  months  after  the  date  laid  down  in 
paragraph 1 of Article 3 at the latest. 

This Decision shall apply from 1 May 2004. 

Article 3 

Article 1 point 2 and the Annex I B shall only apply from 1 January 2005. 

1. 

2. 

Article 4 

This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 

Done at Brussels, 28 April 2004. 

For the Commission 
David BYRNE 
Member of the Commission 

 
 
 
 
 
L 151/66

EN 

Official Journal of the European Union 

30.4.2004 

ANNEX 

‘ANNEX IA 

ANIMAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE 

(for animal casings intended for dispatch to the European Community) 

Model CAS 

1. 

2. 

Consignor (name and address in full)  
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
Consignee (name and address in full) 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
Intended destination of casings 

5. 
5.1  EU Member State:………………………………………. 
Name, number and address of the establishment (5) 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 

[Lorry]/[Rail-wagon]/[Ship]/[Aircraft](3) 

7.  Means of transport and consignment identification (2) 
7.1 
7.2  Registration number(s), ship name or flight number :….. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
Identification of the animal casing 

ANIMAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE 

for animal casing for importation   into the European 
Community 

No (1)  

ORIGINAL 

Competent Authority 

3.  Origin of the animal casing  
ISO code and name of Country:………………………… 
3.1 
3.2  Territory (4): …………………………………………..… 
4. 
4.1  Ministry:………………………………………………… 
4.2  Service:………………………………………………….. 
…….………………………………………….…………. 
4.3  Local/Regional level:…………………………….……… 

6. 

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

7.3  Consignment identification details (5): 

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

8. 
8.1  Casings from: ……..…………………………………………………………………….…………………. (animal species). 
8.2 

Identification of the casings included in this consignment : 

Number of           Net 

                                                                                             Address and approval 
                                                                                                 number of the   
                  Description (5)           |   Treatment (7)                |    establishment(s)         |    packages/pieces  | weight(kg) . 
                                                   |                             
 |                                       |                                |                   . 
 |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                   |                             
                                                   |                            
 |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                   |                             
 |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                   |                             
 |                                       |                                |                   . 
 |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                   |                             
 |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                   |                             
                                                   |                                       |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                   |                                       |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                   |                                       |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                                                                                       Total   |                                |                   . 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                               
 
 
30.4.2004 

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Official Journal of the European Union 

L 151/67

9.  Animal Health attestation 

I, the undersigned official veterinarian, hereby certify, that the animal casings described above  
(a) 
(b) 

come from plants approved by the competent authority; 
have been cleaned, scraped and: 
either 

[salted with NaCl for 30 days] (3) 

or 

or 

[bleached] (3) 

[dried after scraping] (3) 

(c) 

have undergone all precautions to avoid recontamination after treatment. 

Official stamp and signature 

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

(stamp) (6) 

Notes 

(signature of official veterinarian) (6) 

(name in capital letters, qualifications and title) 

(1) 
(2) 

Issued by the competent authority. 
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. 
(3)  Keep as appropriate. 
(4)  Complete if appropriate. 
(5)  Complete as appropriate. 
(6) 

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. 
Treatment that has been applied from the options listed in the Animal Health attestation in Section 9b. 

(7) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
L 151/68

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Official Journal of the European Union 

30.4.2004 

ANNEX IB 

(for animal casings in transit and/or storage) 

Model TRANSIT/STORAGE 

1. 

2. 

Consignor (name and address in full)  
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
Consignee (name and address in full) 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
Intended [transit]/[storage] (6) destination of casings 

5. 
5.1  Storage in:  

EU Member State:………………………………………. 
Name and address of the establishment (3) (4) 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
5.2    Final third country destination (9) after [transit]/[storage] (6): 
….……………………………………………………. 
Exit Community BIP name and address (4): 
…….……………………………………………………. 

 [Lorry]/[Rail-wagon]/[Ship]/[Aircraft](6) 

7.  Means of transport and consignment identification (5) 
7.1 
7.2  Registration number(s), ship name or flight number :….. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
Identification of the animal casing 

VETERINARY CERTIFICATE 

for animal casing for [transit] [storage] (1) (6)   in the 
European Community 

No (2)  

ORIGINAL 

Competent Authority 

3.  Origin of the animal casing   
ISO code and name of Country:………………………… 
3.1 
3.2  Territory (7): ………………..……………….…………… 
4. 
4.1  Ministry:………………………………………………… 
4.2  Service:………………………………………………….. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
4.3  Local/Regional level:…………………………………… 
…….……………………………………………………. 

6. 

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

…….……………………………………………………. 

7.3  Consignment identification details (7): 

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

8. 
8.1  Casings from: ……..…………………………………………………………………….…………………. (animal species). 
8.2 

Identification of the casings included in this consignment: 

                Number of           Net 

                                                                                              Address of the   
                  Description (4)           |   Treatment (9)                |     establishment(s)        |    packages/pieces  | weight(kg) . 
 |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                   |                             
 |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                   |                             
 |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                   |                            
 |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                   |                             
 |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                   |                             
 |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                   |                             
                                                   |                             
 |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                   |                                       |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                   |                                       |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                   |                                       |                                       |                                |                   . 
                                                                                                                       Total   |                                |                   . 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                               
 
30.4.2004 

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Official Journal of the European Union 

L 151/69

9.  Animal Health attestation 

I, the undersigned official veterinarian, hereby certify, that the animal casings described above complies with the animal health 
conditions laid down in the Animal Health attestation in section 9 of the model certificate in Annex IA  to 2003/779/EC 

Official stamp and signature 

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

(stamp) (8) 

Notes 

(signature of official veterinarian) (8) 

(name in capital letters, qualifications and title) 

In accordance with Article 12 (4) or Article 13 of Council Directive 97/78/EC. 
Issued by the competent authority. 

(1) 
(2) 
(3)  Address (and approval number if known) of the warehouse in a free zone, free warehouse, customs warehouse or ship chandler 

(4) 
(5) 

shall be included 
 Complete as appropriate 
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. 
(6)  Keep as appropriate. 
(7)  Complete if appropriate. 
(8) 

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. 
Treatment that has been applied from the options listed in section 9 (b) of the model health certificate laid down in Annex IA of 
Commission Decision 2003/779/EC. This states that casings should be cleaned and scraped, and either salted with NaCl for 30 
days, or bleached, or dried after scraping.’ 

(9)