2004/539/EC:Commission Decision of 1 July 2004 establishing a transitional measure for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 on the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals (notified under document number C(2004) 2365)
Date: 2004-07-01
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: domestic animal, health control, health legislation, transport of animals

8.7.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 237/21

II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COMMISSION

COMMISSION DECISION

of 1 July 2004

establishing a transitional measure for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 on the
animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals

(notified under document number C(2004) 2365)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2004/539/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

in particular
in all

lished by Regulation (EC) No 998/2003, its implemen-
the
tation requires
the
passport document
issuing of new models of import certificates for entry
from third countries, and post-vaccination testing for
animals from third countries not
listed in Part C of
Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 998/2003.

the availability of
the veterinary offices,

Having regard to the Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the
European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on
to the non-
the
commercial movement of pet animals and amending Council
Directive 92/65/EEC (1), and in particular Article 21 thereof,

animal health requirements

applicable

Whereas:

(1)

Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 establishing veterinary
conditions
non-commercial
to
movements of pet animals, is to apply from 3 July 2004.

applicable

the

(2)

Despite measures which have been adopted to ease the
transition from the existing conditions to those estab-

(3)

(4)

in spite of

It appears that
the efforts undertaken by
Member States some uncertainties remain with regard
to those conditions,
in particular taking into account
the considerable number of people about to travel with
their pet at this period of the year for summer holidays.
Consequently, the annual peak in pet movements could
result in numerous administrative difficulties.

It
is therefore advisable to maintain as necessary the
application of the national conditions currently in force
for a sufficient period of time. As a consequence, during
this period movements shall be allowed in conformity
either with Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 or with
national rules which were in force before 3 July 2004.
Accordingly, the derogation from Commission Decisions
2003/803/EC (2) and 2004/203/EC (3), provided for in
Commission Decision 2004/301/EC, as
the
format for certificates and passports to be used for the
non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets
should be postponed.

regards

(1) OJ L 146, 13.6.2003, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Commission

Regulation (EC) No 592/2004 (OJ L 94, 31.3.2004, p. 7).

(2) OJ L 312, 27.11.2003, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 65, 3.3.2004, p. 13. Decision as amended by Decision

2004/301/EC (OJ L 98, 2.4.2004, p. 55).

L 237/22

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

8.7.2004

(5)

The measures provided for
accordance with
Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

in this Decision are in
Standing
the

opinion

the

of

Article 2

In Article 1, first paragraph, point (a), of Decision 2004/301/
EC, the date ‘3 July 2004’ is replaced by the date ‘1 October
2004’.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 3

Article 1

Done at Brussels, 1 July 2004.

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Without prejudice to the second paragraph of Article 25 of
Regulation (EC) No 998/2003, Member States shall allow
entry into their territory until 1 October 2004 of pet animals
of the species listed in Annex I to that Regulation in conformity
with national rules which were in force before 3 July 2004.

For the Commission

David BYRNE
Member of the Commission