2004/480/EC:DECISION No 1/2004 OF THE JOINT VETERINARY COMMITTEE SET UP UNDER THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND THE SWISS CONFEDERATION ON TRADE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS of 28 April 2004 on the amendment to Appendix 5 to Annex 11 to the Agreement
Date: 2004-04-28
Institutions: EU–Switzerland Joint Committee
Subjects: Switzerland, agreement (EU), cattle, frontier region, health certificate, veterinary inspection

30.4.2004 

EN 

Official Journal of the European Union 

L 160/115 

DECISION No 1/2004 OF THE JOINT VETERINARY COMMITTEE SET UP 

UNDER THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND 

THE SWISS CONFEDERATION ON TRADE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS 

of 28 April 2004 

on the amendment to Appendix 5 to Annex 11 to the Agreement 

(2004/480/EC) 

THE COMMITTEE, 

Having regard to the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on 

trade in agricultural products (hereinafter called the Agriculture Agreement), and in particular 

Article 19(3) of Annex 11 thereto, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

The Agreement with Switzerland entered into force on 1 June 2002. 

(2) 

Point III of Chapter 1 of Appendix 5 to Annex 11 to the Agriculture Agreement should be 

amended to adopt a model certificate for animals sent for grazing in border areas. 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

Point III of Chapter 1 of Appendix 5 to Annex 11 to the Agreement between the European 

Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products is hereby replaced by the 

text in the Annex to this Decision. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Article 2 

This Decision, drawn up in duplicate, shall be signed by the joint chairmen or other persons 

empowered to act in the name of the Parties. 

It shall take effect at the date of the last signature. 

Done at Bern, 28 April 2004. 

Done at Brussels, 27 April 2004. 

On behalf of the Swiss Confederation 

On behalf of the European Commission 

The head of delegation 

The head of delegation 

Hans WYSS  

Alejandro CHECCHI LANG 

 
 
 
 
ANNEX 

″III.  Rules for animals sent for grazing in border areas 

1. 

Definitions: 

– 

Grazing: dispatching animals to a Member State or to Switzerland with a view to 

grazing in a 10 km strip on either side of the border. In special, duly substantiated 

conditions, a wider strip on either side of the border between Switzerland and the 

Community may be authorised by the competent authorities concerned. 

– 

Daily grazing: grazing where the animals are returned to their holding of origin in a 

Member State or in Switzerland at the end of each day. 

2. 

In the event of grazing between the Member States and Switzerland, Commission 

Decision 2001/672/EC of 20 August 2001 laying down special rules applicable to 

movements of bovine animals when put out to summer grazing in mountain areas 

(OJ L 235, 4.9.2001, p. 23) shall apply mutatis mutandis. 

However, for the purposes of this Annex, the following adjustments shall apply to 

Article 1 of Decision 2001/672/EC: 

– 

– 

the reference period 1 May to 15 October shall be replaced by the calendar year; 

for Switzerland, the parties referred to in Article 1 of Decision 2001/672/EC and 

referred to in the corresponding Annex shall be: 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SWITZERLAND 

CANTON OF ZÜRICH 

CANTON OF BERN/BERNE 

CANTON OF LUZERN 

CANTON OF URI 

CANTON OF SCHWYZ 

CANTON OF OBWALDEN 

CANTON OF NIDWALDEN 

CANTON OF GLARUS 

CANTON OF ZUG 

CANTON OF FREIBURG/FRIBOURG 

CANTON OF SOLOTHURN 

CANTON OF BASEL STADT 

CANTON OF BASEL LAND 

CANTON OF SCHAFFHAUSEN 

CANTON OF APPENZELL AUSSERRHODEN 

CANTON OF APPENZELL INNERRHODEN 

CANTON OF SANKT GALLEN 

CANTON OF GRAUBUNDEN 

CANTON OF AARGAU 

CANTON OF THURGAU 

CANTON OF TICINO 

CANTON OF VAUD 

CANTON OF VALAIS/WALLIS 

CANTON OF NEUCHÂTEL 

CANTON OF GENEVA 

CANTON OF JURA 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pursuant to the Ordonnance on epizootic diseases (OFE) of 27 June 1995, as last amended 

on 9 April 2003, (RS 916.401), and in particular Article 7 thereof (registration) and the 

Ordonnance of 18 August 1999 on the data base on animal movements, as last amended on 

20 November 2002 (RS 916.404), and in particular Article 2 thereof (content of the data 

base), Switzerland is to allocate to each pasturage a specific registration code which must 

be registered in the national database on bovine animals.  

3. 

In the case of grazing between the Member States and Switzerland, the official veterinarian 

of the country of dispatch shall: 

(a) 

on the date of issue of the certificate and no later than 24 hours before the planned 

date of arrival of the animals, by means of the computerised system linking 

veterinary authorities provided for in Article 20 of Directive 90/425/EEC, inform the 

competent authority of the place of destination (local veterinary unit) that the animals 

have been dispatched; 

(b) 

examine the animals within 48 hours prior to their departure for the grazing ground; 

the animals must be duly identified; 

(c) 

issue a certificate in accordance with the model in point 11. 

4. 

The official veterinarian of the country of destination shall inspect the animals upon arrival 

in the country of destination to ensure that they comply with the standards laid down in 

this Annex. 

5. 

Throughout the duration of the grazing period, the animals shall remain under customs 

control. 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6. 

The holder of the animals must: 

(a) 

accept, in a written statement, to comply with all measures taken pursuant to this 

Annex and any other measures introduced at local level, in the same way as any 

holder originating in a Member State or Switzerland; 

(b)  pay the costs of the checks required pursuant to this Annex; 

(c) 

cooperate fully with arrangements for customs or veterinary checks required by the 

authorities of the country of dispatch or of destination. 

7. 

When the animals return at the end of the season or before, the official veterinarian of the 

country where the grazing ground is located shall: 

(a) 

on the date of issue of the certificate and no later than 24 hours before the planned 

date of arrival of the animals, by means of the computerised system linking 

veterinary authorities provided for in Article 20 of Directive 90/425/EEC, inform the 

competent authority of the place of destination (local veterinary unit) that the animals 

have been dispatched; 

(b) 

examine the animals within 48 hours prior to their departure from the grazing 

ground; the animals must be duly identified; 

(c) 

issue a certificate in accordance with the model in point 12. 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8. 

In the event of outbreaks of disease, the competent veterinary authorities shall take 

appropriate measures by mutual agreement. 

Those authorities shall consider how to cover any costs involved. If necessary the matter 

shall be referred to the Joint Veterinary Committee. 

9. 

As an exception to the rules on grazing in points 1 to 8 above, in the case of daily grazing 

between the Member States and Switzerland: 

(a) 

the animals shall not enter into contact with animals from another holding; 

(b) 

the holders of such animals shall undertake to inform the competent veterinary 

authority of any contact between their animals and animals from another holding;  

(c) 

the health certificate set out in point 11 below shall be presented to the competent 

veterinary authorities every calendar year when the animals first enter a Member 

State or Switzerland. The health certificate must be presented to the competent 

veterinary authorities at the request of the latter;  

(d)  points 2 and 3 above shall apply only to the first time each calendar year that the 

animals are dispatched to a Member State or to Switzerland; 

(e) 

point 7 shall not apply; 

(f) 

holders of the animals shall undertake to inform the competent veterinary authority 

of the end of the grazing period. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10. 

As an exception to the rules on fees provided for in point VI(D) of Chapter 3 of 

Appendix 5, in the case of daily grazing between the Member States and Switzerland, 

the fees provided for shall be paid only once per calendar year.  

11. 

Model certificate for bovine animals sent for grazing in border areas. 

HEALTH CERTIFICATE FOR BOVINE ANIMALS SENT FOR GRAZING1 
OR DAILY GRAZING1 
IN BORDER AREAS 

Country of origin: Switzerland1, 4 or Member State of origin1 

..............................................................................................  

Certificate No2 

Region of origin: .................................................................. 

Name and address of consignor: ................................................................................................... 

....................................................................................................................................................... 

Name and address of holding of origin:........................................................................................ 

....................................................................................................................................................... 

....................................................................................................................................................... 

Animal health information 

I hereby certify that all the animals in the consignment described below: 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. 

come from a holding of origin and an area which, in accordance with Community or 
national legislation, are not subject to any prohibition or restriction in connection with 
animal diseases affecting the bovine species. 

2. 

come from a herd of origin in Switzerland or in a Member State or part of its territory: 

(a)  which has set up a surveillance network approved under Commission Decision 
…/.../EC or, for Switzerland, under the Agreement of 21 June 1999 between the 
Community and Switzerland (point I of Appendix 2 to Annex 11)1; 

(b)  which is officially recognised as free of leucosis, tuberculosis and brucellosis. 

3. 

are animals to be reared1 or for production1 which: 

– 

– 

have, according to the available information, remained on the holding of origin for 
the last 30 days, or since birth if less than 30 days old, and that no animals imported 
from a third country have entered the holding during that period, unless kept 
completely isolated from the other animals on the holding; 

have not been in contact during the past 30 days with animals from herds not 
meeting the conditions set out in point 2. 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description of the consignment 

Departure date:.............................................................................................................................. 

Total number of animals: .............................................................................................................. 

Identification of the animal(s): 

Number 

Official identification (ear tag) 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 

20. 

21. 

22. 

23. 

24. 

25. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................................................. 

If necessary, please attach an additional list, signed and stamped by the official or approved veterinarian2. 

Approval number of the transporter (if the distance to be covered is more than 50 km): ............ 

Means of transport:…………………………… Registration number: ........................................ 

Name and address of consignee (person responsible for the grazing ground): ............................ 

....................................................................................................................................................... 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Address of the holding of destination in Switzerland or in the Member State of destination1 
(please complete in block capitals): 

Grazing ground: .............................................................................................................. 

Registration code of grazing ground:.............................................................................. 

County/Province: ............................................................................................................ 

Post code: ……………………… Member State: .................................or Switzerland1 

Date of arrival at the pasture ground: ............................................................................. 

Planned date of departure from pasture ground:............................................................. 

After the statutory inspection, I hereby certify that: 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

the animals described above were inspected on ……….. (date) during the 48 hours prior to 
planned departure and showed no clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease; 

the holding of origin and, where applicable, the approved assembly centre, and the zone in 
which they are situated are not subject to any prohibition or restriction in connection with 
animal diseases affecting the bovine species in accordance with Community or national 
legislation; 

all the applicable provisions of Council Directive 64/432/EEC have been complied with; 

the animals comply with the additional guarantees regarding IBR/IPV in accordance with 
Commission Decision 93/42/EEC, which applies mutatis mutandis in accordance with the 
Agreement of 21 June 1999 between the European Community and Switzerland; 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5. 

at the time of inspection, the animals indicated above were fit to be transported on the 
intended journey in accordance with Directive 91/628/EEC3. 

Certification2 

Official stamp 

Place 

Date 

Signature2 

Name and qualification (in block letters):..................................................................................  

....................................................................................................................................................  

Address of the veterinarian signing the certificate: ...................................................................  

....................................................................................................................................................  

Additional information 

1. 

2. 

This certificate must bear a stamp and signature in a different colour than the printing. 

This certificate shall be valid for ten days from the date of the health inspection carried out 
in Switzerland or in the Member State of origin. In the case of daily grazing, this certificate 
shall be valid for the entire grazing period. 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. 

The information which must appear on this certificate must be entered in the computerised 
system linking veterinary authorities provided for in Article 20 of Directive 90/425/EEC 
on the date of issue of the certificate and no later than 24 hours before the planned date of 
arrival of the animals. 

___________________________  
1 
2 

Delete where not applicable. 
To be completed by the official veterinarian of the Member State of origin or, for 
Switzerland, by the veterinarian responsible for export checks. 
This statement does not exempt transporters from their obligations in accordance with 
Community provisions in force in particular regarding the fitness of animals to be 
transported. 
For Switzerland, in accordance with RO 2002 2147 and the Agreement of 21 June 1999 
between the European Community and Switzerland. . 

3 

4 

12. 

Model certificate for bovine animals sent for grazing in border areas. 

HEALTH CERTIFICATE FOR BOVINE ANIMALS RETURNING FROM 
GRAZING IN BORDER AREAS (at or before the end of the normal grazing period) 

Certificate No1 

Reference certificate No2 

A) Description of the consignment 

Departure date:.............................................................................................................................. 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
List of animals returning early3 

or 

List of animals mentioned on the reference health certificate3, 4 

Total number of animals ............................................................................................................... 

Identification of the animal(s) 

Number 

Official identification (ear tag) 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17. 

18. 

19. 

20. 

21. 

22. 

23. 

24. 

25. 

If necessary, please attach an additional list, signed and stamped by the official or approved veterinarian5. 

B) Destination of animals 

Address of the holding of destination in Switzerland or in the Member State of destination3 (please 
complete in block capitals): 

Name:.............................................................................................................................. 

Street: .............................................................................................................................. 

County/Province: ............................................................................................................ 

Post code: ……………………… Member State: .................................or Switzerland3 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
C) Means of Transport: 

Approval number of the transporter (if the distance to be covered is more than 50 km): ............ 

Means of transport:…………………………… Registration number: ........................................ 

D) Animal health information 

I, the undersigned official veterinarian hereby certify that 

1. 

2. 

the animals described above were inspected on ……….. (date of loading or 48 hours 
before departure) and showed no clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease; 

the area in which the animals have been grazing is not subject to any prohibition or 
restriction in connection with animal diseases affecting the bovine species in accordance 
with Community or national legislation and, in particular, no cases of tuberculosis, 
brucellosis or leucosis have been found during the grazing period. 

Certification5 

Official stamp 

Place 

Date 

Signature 

Name and qualification (in block letters):..................................................................................  

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional information 

1. 

2. 

3. 

This certificate must bear a stamp and signature in a different colour than the printing. 

This certificate shall be valid for ten days from the date of the health inspection carried out 
in Switzerland or in the Member State of origin. 

The information which must appear on this certificate must be entered in the computerised 
system linking veterinary authorities provided for in Article 20 of Directive 90/425/EEC 
on the date of issue of the certificate and no later than 24 hours before the planned date of 
arrival of the animals. 

___________________________  

1 
2 
3 
4 

5 

Issued by the competent authority. 
Number of the health certificate used to bring the animals to the grazing ground. 
Delete if not applicable. 
If animals are returned to their holding of origin during the grazing period for health reasons, accompanied 
by a health certificate, the animals concerned must be deleted from the initial list, which must be validated by 
the official veterinarian. 
To be completed by the official veterinarian. 

16