2004/415/EC:Commission Decision of 29 April 2004 amending Commission Decision 2000/609/EC as regards the animal health conditions and veterinary certification for farmed ratite meat transiting or being temporarily stored in the Community
Date: 2004-04-29
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, Russia, health certificate, import, originating product, poultrymeat, third country, transit, veterinary inspection

L 151/70

EN 

Official Journal of the European Union 

30.4.2004 

COMMISSION DECISION 

of 29 April 2004 

amending Commission Decision 2000/609/EC as regards the animal health conditions and 
veterinary certification for farmed ratite meat transiting or being temporarily stored in 
the Community 

(notified under document number C(2004) 1580) 

(Text with EEA relevance) 

(2004/415/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  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/EEC2. 

Council  Directive  91/494/EEC  lays  down  animal  health  conditions  governing  intra-
Community trade in and imports from third countries of fresh poultry meat3. 

Commission  Decision  2000/609/EC  lays  down  animal  health  conditions  and  veterinary 
certificates for the importation of farmed ratite meat from third countries4. 

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 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  258,  12.10.2000,  p.  9.  Decision  as  last  amended  by  Commission  Decision  2004/118/EC  (OJ  L  36, 
7.2.2004, p. 34.). 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
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(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

Council  Directive  97/78/EC  lays  down  the  principles  governing  the  organisation  of 
veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries5 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  ratite  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 
meat6,  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. 

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 2000/609/EC. 

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. 

(10)  Commission Decision 2001/881/EC draws up a list of border inspection posts agreed for 
veterinary  checks  on  animals  and  animal  products  from  third  countries7  and  it  is 
appropriate  to  specify  the  border  inspection  posts  designated  for  the  control  of  such 
transits taking into account this Decision. 

(11)  Commission Decision 2000/609/EC should be amended accordingly. 

5 

6 

7 

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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30.4.2004 

(12) 

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 2000/609/EC is amended as follows: 

1. 

The following Article 1a  is inserted: 

“Article 1a 

Member  States  shall  ensure  that  consignments  of  farmed  ratite  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 conditions for the species concerned set 
out in the animal health attestation part in the model certificate, part 2 model A or 
B of health attestation drawn up under Annex II. 

they  shall  be  accompanied  by  an  animal  health  certificate  established  in 
accordance  with  the  model  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 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) 

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; 

 
 
 
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(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

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. 

A new Annex III is added 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. 

Article 3 

This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 

Done at Brussels, 29 April 2004. 

For the Commission 
David BYRNE 
Member of the Commission 

___________ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
L 151/74

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Official Journal of the European Union 

30.4.2004 

ANNEX 

“ANNEX III 
(Transit and/or storage) 

Model TRANSIT/STORAGE 
1. 

2. 

Consignor (name and address in full)  
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
Consignee (name and address in full) 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
Intended [transit]/[storage](7) destination of the meat 

5. 
5.1  Storage in EU Member  

State:………………………………………. 
Name and address of the establishment(5) (10) 
:……………………………………… 
…….……………………………………………………. 
5.2    Final third country destination after [transit]/[storage] (10): 
….……………………………………………………. 
Exit Community BIP name and address(10): 
…….……………………………………………………. 
7.  Means of transport and consignment identification(6) 
7.1 
7.2  Registration number(s), ship name or flight number :….. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
Identification of the meat 

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

VETERINARY CERTIFICATE 

for fresh ratite meat(1), for [transit][storage](2) (7)   in the 
European Community 

No(3)  

ORIGINAL 

Competent Authority 

ISO code and name of Country:……………………… 

3.  Origin of the meat (4)  
3.1 
3.2  Territory(10): ……………………………………… 
4. 
4.1  Ministry:………………………………………………… 
4.2  Service:………………………………………………….. 
…….……………………………………………………. 
4.3  Local/Regional level:…………………………………… 
…….……………………………………………………. 

6. 

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

…….……………………………………………………. 

7.3  Consignment identification details(8): 

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

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

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 fresh ratite meat described above : 
comes  from  a  country  or  region  authorized  for  imports  into  the  EC  as  laid  down  in  Annex  I  to  2000/609/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 part [A] 
(7) or [B] (7) in Annex II  part 2 to 2000/609/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 means any parts of ratites which are fit for human consumption and which have not undergone any treatment other than 
cold  treatment  to  ensure  its  preservation:  vacuum-wrapped  meat  or  meat  wrapped  in  a  controlled  atmosphere  must  also  be 
accompanied by a certificate according to this model. 
In accordance with Article 12 (4) or Article 13 of Council Directive 97/78/EC. 
Issued by the competent authority. 

(2) 
(3) 
(4)  Country and description of territory as appearing the Annex I to Commission Decision  2000/609/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 ratites 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. 

“