CELEX: 51996PC0170(01)
Language: en
Date: 1996-05-20
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries

Avis juridique important

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51996PC0170(01)

Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries  /* COM/96/0170 FINAL - CNS 96/0109 */  

Official Journal C 245 , 23/08/1996 P. 0009

Proposal for a Council Directive laying down the  principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from  third countries(96/C  245/05)COM(96) 170 final - 96/0109(CNS)(Submitted by the Commission  on 21 May 1996)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 43  thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament, Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee, Whereas the animal products or products of animal origin and plant products subject to checks  intended to prevent the spread of contagious or infectious animal diseases are listed in Annex II  to the Treaty; Whereas laying down principles at Community level on the organization of veterinary checks on  products coming from third countries helps to safeguard supplies and ensure market stability while  also harmonizing the measures necessary to ensure the protection of animal and public health; Whereas the establishment of the Internal Market has accentuated the need to lay down common  principles for the veterinary checks, given that internal border checks have been abolished; Whereas, since Council Directive 90/675/EEC of 10 December 1990 laying down the principles  governing the organization of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third  countries  (1) took effect, developments have taken place in the application of the Directive and  new experiences have ben encountered; whereas in the interests of transparency, the Directive  should be amended; Whereas harmonized conditions for all products of animal origin imported from third countries into  the Community should be established; whereas for that reason a single checking scheme for these  products should be applied and the requisite adjustments made; Whereas in the new system of veterinary checks only a documentary and physical check need to be  carried out; whereas for that reason the identity check needs to be abolished; Whereas rules must be laid down whereby consignments which have been introduced into the Community  without being presented will undergo the veterinary checks at a border inspection post; Whereas Member States, in certain cases, may impose additional requirements for products to be  imported; whereas the Member State of arrival has to take account of these extra national  requirements when making checks; Whereas with regard to the transhipment by sea or air of products with a final destination in the  Community clear rules should be laid down on where to carry out the checks; whereas for that reason  the checks should, in principle, be carried out at the border inspection post of destination; Whereas Community legislation requires certain products to be monitored from arrival in the  Community to the place of destination to safeguard public and animal health; whereas for that  reason strict rules must be laid down; Whereas strict rules should be established to ensure that products arriving at the Community border  without having the Community as final destination will leave the Community; Whereas those products which comply with Community requirements for importation should be separated  from those which do not; whereas to take account of these differences separate checking systems  should be laid down; Whereas the supply of products of animal origin for the crew and passengers of sea and air  transport is of considerable commercial importance in the Community; whereas those products often  do not comply with Community requirements; whereas for that reason strict rules should be laid down  to safeguard public and animal health; Whereas a Community product which is refused by a third country and which is returned to the  Community should be regarded as no longer fulfilling the Community requirements; whereas for that  reason strict rules in that regard should be laid down to safeguard public and animal health; Whereas extra safeguards should be laid down with a view to the prevention of fraud and to provide  for harmonized measures on fraudulent operations and irregularities; Whereas Directive 90/675/EEC has been substantially amended on several occasions; whereas, on the  occasion of the new amendments required, it is thus advisable for the sake of clarity and  rationality to repeal and replace that Directive, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Article 1 Veterinary checks on products from third countries introduced into  one of the territories as referred to in Annex I shall be carried out by the Member States in  accordance with this Directive. Article 2 1.  For the purposes of this Directive, the definitions contained in Article 2 of  Council Directives 89/662/EEC  (1) and 90/425/EEC  (2), respectively, shall apply as necessary. 2.  In addition: (a) 'products` means products of animal origin referred to in Directives 89/662/EEC and 90/425/EEC  including by-products of animal origin not covered by Annex II to the Treaty, or, in the  circumstances described in Article 18: - fresh fish landed immediately from a fishing vessel, - certain plant products; (b) 'documentary check` means the examination of the veterinary certificate(s) or veterinary  document(s), or other document(s) accompanying a consignment; (c) 'physical check` means: - the verification of the consistency between the veterinary certificate(s) or veterinary  document(s) or other document(s) provided for by veterinary legislation and the product, - a check of the product itself, which may include checks on packaging and temperature and also  sampling and laboratory testing; (d) 'declarant` means any physical or legal person who presents products for introduction into one  of the territories set out in Annex I; (e) 'consignment` means a quantity of products of the same type, covered by the same veterinary  certificate(s) or veterinary document(s), or other document(s) provided for by veterinary  legislation, conveyed by the same means of transport and coming from the same third country or part  of such country; (f) 'border inspection post` means any inspection post, designated and approved in accordance with  Article 6, for the carrying out of veterinary checks on products arriving at the border of one of  the territories referred to in Annex I from third countries; (g) 'import` means clearance by customs for release for free circulation; (h) 'import conditions` means veterinary requirements on products to be imported, as laid down in  Community legislation; (i) 'competent authority` means the central authority of a Member State, empowered to carry out  veterinary or zootechnical checks, or any authority to which it has delegated such powers. CHAPTER I Organization and effects of checks Article 3 1.  Member States shall ensure that  consignments from third countries shall not be introduced into one of the territories referred to  in Annex I without having undergone the required veterinary checks. 2.  Member States shall ensure that consignments are introduced into one of the territories  referred to in Annex I only via a border inspection post. On arrival in one of the territories set  out in Annex I, each consignment shall be conveyed direct to the nearest border inspection post in  order to undergo there, without delay, the required veterinary checks. 3.  Member States shall ensure that declarants are obliged to give prior notification of details of  the consignment to the veterinary staff of the border inspection post to which the products are to  be submitted. 4.  Customs authorities shall only allow the intended customs-approved treatment or use of the  consignments, in accordance with the certificate referred to in Article 5 (1). 5.  Detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the  procedure referred to in Article 26. Article 4 1.  Each consignment shall be subject to veterinary checks in the border inspection  post referred to in Article 3 (2) by staff of the competent authority acting under the  responsibility of the official veterinarian. 2.  For each consignment the official veterinarian shall, on the basis of the information referred  to in Article 3 (3), consult the database referred to in Annex I to Council Decision 92/438/EEC   (1) on computerization of veterinary import procedures. Furthermore, for each consignment intended  for import into one of the territories referred to in Annex I hereto, he shall consult the database  referred to in Annex II to Decision 92/438/EEC. 3.  Each consignment shall be subject to a documentary check irrespective of the customs-approved  treatment or use, in order to establish: (a) that the information in the veterinary certificate(s) or veterinary document(s) or other  document(s) corresponds to the information referred to in Article 3 (3); (b) in the case of imports, that the particulars contained in the veterinary certificate(s) or  veterinary document(s) or other document(s) afford the guarantees required. 4.  The official veterinarian shall, where so required by this Directive, carry out a physical  check on the basis of a representative sample of the consignment in order to: (a) check that the products correspond to the accompanying veterinary certificate(s) or veterinary  document(s) or other document(s) and bear any stamps or marks required by veterinary legislation; (b) check that the products are in a fit state to be used for the purpose specified in the  accompanying certificate or document; (c) perform any laboratory tests which have to be carried out on the spot; (d) take any official samples required and have them analysed as soon as possible. 5.  Detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the  procedure referred to in Article 26. Article 5 1.  After completion of the required veterinary checks, the official veterinarian shall  issue for the consignment of products concerned a certificate certifying the checks and recording  the intended place of destination. 2.  The document referred to in paragraph 1 shall accompany the consignment: - as long as the consignment remains under customs supervision, or- in the case of imports, until  the first establishment as referred to in Directive 89/662/EEC, or until the first centre or  organization of destination as referred to in Directive 90/425/EEC. 3.  If the consignment is split, paragraph 1 shall apply to each part. 4.  Detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the  procedure referred to in Article 26. Article 6 1.  Border inspection posts must be: (a) located in the immediate vicinity of the point of entry into one of the territories referred to  in Annex I, and in an area which is designated or approved by the customs authorities in accordance  with Article 38 (1) (a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92  (1). However, where necessitated by geographical constraints (such as unloading wharf, railway station,  passes) a border inspection post at a certain distance from the point of introduction may be  tolerated; (b) placed under the authority of an official veterinarian, who shall be effectively responsible  for the checks. The official veterinarian may be assisted by specially trained auxiliary staff. He shall ensure that all updating of the databases indicated in the third indent of Article 1 (1)  of Decision 92/438/EEC is carried out; (c) - proposed by the Member State, - inspected by the Commission in collaboration with the competent authority of the Member State, - approved in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 26. 2.  A list of approved border inspection posts shall be established and published by the  Commission. 3.  Pending the adoption of the list under paragraph 2, the list currently in force shall remain  applicable. 4.  Detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the  procedure referred to in Article 26. Article 7 1.  Each consignment intended for import into one of the territories referred to in  Annex I shall be accompanied by the original veterinary certificate(s) or original veterinary  document(s) or other original document(s) as required by veterinary legislation. The original  certificate(s) or document(s) shall remain at the border inspection post. 2.  Each consignment of products from a third country intended for import into one of the  territories referred to in Annex I shall be subject to a physical check. 3.  Customs authorities shall not allow the importation of consignments of products unless -  without prejudice to the customs regulations and to the special provisions to be adopted in  accordance with Article 17 - proof has been supplied both that the relevant veterinary checks have  been carried out with satisfactory results and paid for, and that the relevant certificate has been  issued in accordance with Article 5. 4.  If the consignment complies with the import conditions, the official veterinarian shall provide  the person concerned with an authenticated copy of the original certificate(s) or document(s) and  issue a certificate certifying that the consignment complies with those conditions in accordance  with Article 5 (1). 5.  Trade in the products referred to in Directives 89/662/EEC and 90/425/EEC and allowed into one  of the territories referred to in Annex I to this Directive shall be conducted in accordance with  the rules laid down in the said Directives, in particular in Chapter II thereof. 6.  Detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the  procedure referred to in Article 26. Article 8 1.  Where: - products are intended for a Member State or an area having specific requirements, - samples have been taken but the results are not known when the means of transport leaves the  border inspection post, - imports authorized for specific cases are involved, additional information must be given to the competent authority of the place of destination by  means of the Animo network. 2.  Each consignment of products referred to in the first and third indents of paragraph 1 and  destined for another Member State shall undergo the documentary and physical check at the border  inspection post situated in the territory of the Member State where the products are introduced, to  verify in particular whether the products concerned comply with the rules of the Member State or  area of destination. 3.  Member States shall ensure that in the case of products referred to in the first and third  indents of paragraph 1 and introduced into a Member State other than the Member State of  destination, all measures shall be taken to ensure that the consignment involved reaches the  intended Member State of destination. 4.  Products which are to be monitored pursuant to Community legislation from the border inspection  post of arrival to the establishment at the place of destination, shall be forwarded under the  following conditions: - the consignments in question are forwarded between the border inspection post of arrival and the  establishment at the place of destination, under supervision of the competent authority in  leakproof vehicles or containers sealed by the competent authorities, - the products shall undergo in the establishment at the place of destination the treatment  referred to in the relevant Community legislation, - the official veterinarian at the border inspection post concerned shall inform the official  veterinarian at the place of destination via the Animo network. Member States shall submit to the Commission the list of approved establishments as referred to  above for the products conderned following the relevant Community legislation. The Commission shall adopt a list of approved establishments and shall arrange the communication of  the up to date list to the Member States. 5.  Detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the  procedure referred to in Article 26. Article 9 1.  By way of derogation from Article 3 (2), in the case of consignments intended for  import into one of the territories set out in Annex I and arriving at a border inspection post of a  port or airport in one of the territories set out in Annex I, the physical check shall be carried  out in the border inspection post of destination, provided that the transport takes place by sea or  air. The following procedures shall be carried out in the border post referred to in Article 3  (2): (a) if the consignment is not unloaded, the competent authority may carry out random documentary  checks of the products, on the basis of the original veterinary certificate or veterinary document  or other document, or an authenticated copy of them. If a documentary check has been carried out  the competent authority shall issue the certificate referred to in Article 5 (1) certifying the  results of this check, for the benefit of the authorities in the port or airport of destination; (b) if the consignment is transhipped from one aircraft to another or from one vessel to another  within the customs area of the same port or airport, the competent authority shall be informed and  may carry out a documentary check of the products on the basis of the same documents referred to in  paragraph (a); (c) if the consignment is unloaded and stored temporarily under supervision of the competent  authority in the customs area of the port or airport to be forwarded to another border inspection  post by sea or air transport, the competent authority shall carry out a documentary check of the  products on the basis of the same documents as are referred to in paragraph (a); in exceptional  cases which may present a risk to public or animal health or when irregularities are suspected, a  physical check may be carried out; 2.  Detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the  procedure referred to in Article 26. Article 10 1.  At the request of a Member State, accompanied by the requisite substantiating  information, or acting on its own initiative, the Commission may, in accordance with the procedure  referred to in Article 26, determine that physical checks are to be less frequent, under certain  conditions and in the light in particular of the results of previous checks, with respect to  certain products from certain third countries or regions or certain establishments in third  countries offering satisfactory guarantees as regards checks at the point of origin on products  intended for import into one of the territories referred to in Annex I. 2.  The Commission shall take into account the following criteria for granting derogations: (a) the guarantees offered by the third country in question with respect to compliance with  Community requirements; (b) the health situation of animals in the third country concerned; (c) information on the general health situation in the country; (d) nature of the measures applied by the third country for monitoring and combating disease; (e) structures, powers, independence and competence of the veterinary or other competent services; (f) compliance with the minimum standards laid down by Community law with regard to production  hygiene; (g) rules on the authorization of certain substances and compliance with the requirements set out  in Council Directive 96/.  .  ./EC; (h) outcome of the Community inspection visits; (i) outcome of the import controls carried out; (j) the type of product or products. 3.  Without prejudice to paragraph 1, reductions in the frequency of physical checks may also be  determined with regard to a third country pursuant to a bilateral veterinary agreement. Article 11 1.  A Member State shall, on behalf of all Member States through which the transit  will take place, authorize the transit of consignments from one third country to another third  country provided that such a transit has been previously authorized by the official veterinarian of  the border inspection post of the Member State where the consignment first arrives at one of the  territories referred to in Annex I. 2.  The authorization is subject to the following conditions: (a) consignments presented for transit at the border inspection post shall be accompanied by the  original veterinary certificate(s) or veterinary document(s) or other document(s), or by  authenticated copies; (b) the consignment of products must be presented in the said border inspection post in order to  undergo the documentary check and the verification that the documentation relates to the  consignment being presented. In exceptional cases which may present a public health or animal  health risk or when irregularities are suspected, physical checks are to be carried out. Derogation from the documentary and physical check may be given by the competent authority for sea  and air transport where the consignment: - is not unloaded, or- is transhipped from one plane to another or from one boat to another within  the customs area of the same port or airport, or- is unloaded and stored temporarily under control  of the competent authority in the customs area at the port or airport; (c) in the case of passage through the territories referred to in Annex I, such consignment shall: - be sent under customs supervision to the point of exit from the Community, together with the  document required under paragraph 2 (a) and the document required under Article 5 (1), certifying  the border inspection post where the consignment will leave the Community, - be transported, without the products being unloaded or split after leaving the border inspection  post of arrival under the supervision of the competent authorities in vehicles or containers sealed  by the competent authorities; the only handling authorized during transport shall be that carried  out at the border inspection post into or out of one of the territories referred to in Annex I, - leave the Community via a border inspection post; (d) the official veterinarian who authorizes the transport shall inform the competent authority of  the border inspection post of exit via the Animo network. 3.  All expenditure incurred pursuant to this Article shall be chargeable to the declarant or his  representative, without indemnification by the Member State. 4.  Detailed rules for the application of this Article, in particular the exchange of information  between the border inspection post of entry and of exit, shall be adopted in accordance with the  procedure referred to in Article 26. Article 12 1.  Consignments coming from a third country and destined for a free zone, a free  warehouse or a customs warehouse shall undergo in the border inspection post as referred to in  Article 3 (2) a documentary and a physical check in order to ensure that the products comply with  the import conditions. 2.  Without prejudice to Article 16, Member States may allow on their territory, consignments which  the declarant declares to the competent authority, pursuant to Article 3 (3), to be presented for  storage in a free zone, a free warehouse or a customs warehouse in accordance with Regulation (EEC)  No 2913/92, and which do not comply with the import conditions; any customs warehouse used shall be  enclosed and the entry and exit points shall be subject to permanent control. Such zones and warehouses shall be approved by the competent authority for the storage of the  products as defined in Article 2 (2) (a). The zones and warehouses shall be under the permanent  supervision of an official veterinarian. 3.  The allowance provided for in paragraph 2 shall be subject to the following conditions: - consignments arriving at the Community border shall be accompanied by the original veterinary  certificate(s), veterinary document(s) or other document(s) or by authenticated copies or by  official customs documents, or other relevant certificate(s) or document(s), - consignments shall undergo a documentary check at the border inspection post of arrival,  including a verification that the documentation relates to the consignment being presented. In  exceptional cases involving a public health or animal health risk, or when irregularities are  suspected, a physical check shall be carried out, - consignments shall be sent, under customs supervision, together with the document mentioned in  the first indent and with the document required under Article 5 (1), specifying the free warehouse,  free zone, or customs warehouses concerned, or in the case of consignments leaving the Community  the border inspection post where the consignment will leave the Community, or in the case referred  to in paragraph 4 specifying the place where the consignment will leave the Community, - the consignments in question shall be subsequently forwarded under such conditions to ensure that  transport is carried out, without the goods being unloaded, under the supervision of the competent  authorities in leakproof vehicles or containers sealed by the competent authorities, - the competent authority which authorizes the transport shall inform the competent authority of  the place of destination via the Animo network, - the identity of the consignment shall be permanently monitored and shall be supervised by the  official veterinarian. 4.  In addition, operators who supply, to sea and air transport, operating internationally,  products as referred to in Article 2 (2) (a) which are intended for consumption by the crew and  passengers: (a) shall be subject to prior registration by the competent authority; (b) shall keep a register in which such deliveries are recorded; (c) shall report the arrival and dispatch of products in a zone or a warehouse as referred to in  paragraph 2; (d) shall keep for at least three years the register referred to in (b). 5.  Member States shall ensure that the consignments, before entering a zone or warehouse as  referred to in paragraph 2, undergo a documentary check and, if necessary, where there are grounds  for suspicion, a physical check. 6.  All expenditure incurred pursuant to this Article shall be chargeable to the declarant or his  representative, without indemnification by the Member State. 7.  Member States shall submit to the Commission the list of approved free zones, free warehouses  and customs warehouses as referred to in paragraph 2. The Commission shall adopt a list of approved  zones and warehouses, and shall arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European  Communities. 8.  Detailed rules for the application of this Article, in particular the control procedures to be  carried out on the arrival and on the departure of consignments to and from such zone or warehouse,  the transport of consignments between such zones or such warehouses, the form of storage of the  products and the handling allowed, shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in  Article 26. Article 13 1.  Products for which the customs-approved treatment or use pursuant to Regulation  (EEC) No 2913/92 is other than as provided for in Articles 7, 11 and 12 of this Directive, shall  undergo, where appropriate, a physical check in order to ensure that they comply with the import  conditions. 2.  Detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted, where necessary, in  accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 26. Article 14 1.  The re-importation of a Community consignment refused by a third country may be  authorized only by the Member State where the veterinary certificate has been issued, and provided  that: - the products in question have to undergo in the border inspection post of arrival the  documentary, and where necessary, a physical check, - the consignment returns to that Member State and that, if transport across another Member State  is involved, it has been previously authorized by the official veterinarian of the border  inspection post of the Member State where the consignment first arrives into one of the territories  of the Community referred to in Annex I, on behalf of all Member States through which the  consignment will transit. 2.  In circumstances envisaged in paragraph 1, the products in question shall be forwarded under  such conditions as to ensure that transport is carried out under customs supervision by means of  leakproof means of transport, identified and sealed by the competent authority so that the seals  will be broken whenever the container is opened in the Member State where the veterinary  certificate has been issued. 3.  The official veterinarian which authorizes the transport shall inform the competent authority  in the place of destination via the Animo network. 4.  All expenditure incurred pursuant to this Article shall be chargeable to the declarant or his  representative, without indemnification by the Member State. 5.  Detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the  procedure referred to in Article 26. Article 15 1.  This chapter shall not apply to products which: (a) form part of travellers' personal luggage and are intended for their personal consumption in so  far as the quantity does not exceed a quantity to be defined in accordance with paragraph 3 and  provided that the products come from a third country or part of a third country appearing on the  list adopted in accordance with Community rules, being a country from which importation is not  prohibited; (b) are sent as small packages to private persons, provided that the products are not being  imported by way of trade, in so far as the quantity sent does not exceed a quantity to be defined  in accordance with paragraph 3 and provided that the products come from a third country or part of  a third country appearing on a list drawn up in accordance with Community rules, being a country  from which importation is not prohibited; (c) are on board means of transport operating internationally and are intended for consumption by  the crew and passengers, provided that they are not introduced into one of the territories referred  to in Annex I. Where such products or their kitchen waste are unloaded, they must be destroyed. It is not,  however, necessary to destroy products when they are transferred, directly from one means of  transport operating internationally to another at the same port and under customs supervision; (d) where quantities not exceeding a figure to be fixed in accordance with paragraph 3 are  involved, have undergone heat treatment in a hermetically sealed container to an F° value of 3,00  or more and: (i) form part of travellers' personal luggage and are intended for their personal consumption; (ii) are sent as small packages to private persons, provided that the products are not being  imported by way of trade; (e) are sent as trade samples provided that they are not intended for human consumption and will  not come into contact with any ruminating animal, swine, poultry or horses. 2.  Paragraph 1 shall not affect the rules applicable to fresh meat and meat products in accordance  with Article 1 (2) of Council Directive 72/462/EEC  (1). 3.  In accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 26, the Commission shall set the weight  limits for the different products liable to be covered by the derogations referred to in paragraph  1. Article 16 1.  Consignments which have been introduced into one of the territories of the  Community without being presented for veterinary checks in accordance with the requirements of  Articles 3 and 4, shall be seized and the competent authority shall decide either to destroy them  in accordance with paragraph 2 (b) or to re-dispatch them in accordance with paragraph 2 (a). 2.  Where the checks referred to in this Directive show the competent authority that the product  does not satisfy the import conditions, or where such checks reveal an irregularity, the competent  authority, in consultation with the declarant or his representative, shall decide either: (a) to re-dispatch the product outside the territories referred to in Annex I from the same border  inspection post to a named destination approved by the competent authority of the third country  concerned, within a time limit to be set by the competent national authority, where veterinary  inspection and health requirements so allow. In this case, the official veterinarian of the border inspection post must: - activate the information procedure provided for in the first indent of Article 1 (1) of Decision  92/438/EEC, - under arrangements to be defined by the Commission in accordance with the procedure for in  Article 26, invalidate the veterinary certificate(s) or document(s) accompanying the rejected  products; or(b) if re-dispatch is impossible, to destroy the products in these facilities provided for that  purpose in accordance with Council Directive 90/667/EEC  (1) which are nearest to the border  inspection post. 3.  Paragraph 2 shall not apply where an authorization has been given by the competent authority in  order to permit the use of products in accordance with Directive 90/667/EEC, provided that there is  no risk for human and animal health. 4.  The declarant or his representative or the person in charge of the consignment shall be liable  for the costs incurred in the process of re-dispatching or destroying the consignment or using the  product for other purposes. Furthermore, where an irregularity has been found to be the result of negligence or a deliberate  action, the competent authority shall impose on the declarant a financial penalty of at least 20  %  of the customs value of the product. 5.  The provisions of Decision 92/438/EEC shall apply. 6.  Detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the  procedure referred to in Article 26. Article 17 The Commission, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 26, shall on  the basis of the plans referred to in the second paragraph, adopt the rules applicable to imports  into certain parts of the territories referred to in Annex I, to take account of the natural  constraints specific to these territories in particular their remoteness from a mainland part of  the Community territory. To that end France and Greece shall submit a plan to the Commission setting out, in the particular  case of the French Overseas Departments and of certain islands and groups of islands, the nature of  the checks to be carried out on imports into those regions of products originating in third  countries taking into account the natural geographical constraints specific to these territories. These plans must specify the checks carried out to prevent products introduced into these  territories being redispatched under any circumstances to other parts of Community territory. Article 18 1.  The Commission, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 26, shall  draw up a list of plant products covered by Article 2 (2) (a) second indent which, in particular on  account of their subsequent destination, may give rise to the risk of spreading infectious or  contagious animal diseases and on that account are to be subjected to the veterinary checks laid  down by this Directive, and in particular those provided for in Article 4, in order to verify the  origin and planned destination of such plant products. The following shall be adopted in accordance with same procedure: - the animal health conditions which third countries must comply with and the guarantees which must  be offered, in particular the nature of any processing to be required in the light of their animal  health situation, - a list of the third countries which, in the light of the guarantees, may be authorized to export  to the Community the plant products referred to in the first paragraph, - any specific inspection procedures, in particular with reference to sampling which may be applied  to these products, especially in the case of imports in bulk. 2.  Fresh fish immediately landed from a fishing vessel flying a third-country flag shall in  accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 1093/94  (2) - and before it can be imported into any of  the territories referred to in Annex I - undergo the checks laid down in respect of fish  immediately landed by fishing vessels flying the flag of a Member State. 3.  In accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 26, derogations may be granted from the  provisions of Article 6 (1) (b) and, as regards the staff responsible for carrying out the checks,  those of Article 4 (1) for border inspection posts where fishery products are presented as referred  to in Council Directive 91/493/EEC  (3). Article 19 Without prejudice to the provisions of this chapter, the official veterinarian or the  competent authority shall, where it is suspected that veterinary legislation has not been complied  with or there is doubt as to the identity of a product, carry out any veterinary checks it deems  appropriate. Article 20 1.  Austria shall have a period of three years from the date of entry into force of  the Accession Treaty to introduce the checking system provided for in this chapter. During that  transitional period, Austria shall apply the measures which will be determined before the date of  entry into force of the Accession Treaty in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 26.  These measures shall ensure that all the necessary checks are carried out as close as possible to  the Community's external frontier. 2.  Finland shall have a period of two years from the date of entry into force of the Accession  Treaty to introduce the checking system provided for in this chapter. During that transitional  period, Finland shall apply the measures which will be determined before the date of entry into  force of the Accession Treaty, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 26. These  measures shall ensure that all the necessary checks are carried out as close as possible to the  Community's external frontier. CHAPTER II Safeguard provisions Article 21 1.  If, in the territory of a third country, a  disease referred to in Council Directive 82/894/EEC  (1), a zoonosis or other disease or phenomenon  liable to present a serious threat to animal or public health manifests or spreads itself, or if  any other serious animal health or public health reason so warrants, in particular in the light of  the findings of its veterinary experts, the Commission shall, acting on its own initiative or at  the request of a Member State, adopt one of the following measures without delay and depending on  the gravity of the situation: - suspend imports from that part or all of the third country concerned, and where appropriate from  the third country of transit, - set special conditions in respect of products coming from part or all of the third country  concerned. 2.  If one of the checks provided for in this Directive indicates that a consignment of products is  likely to constitute a danger to animal or human health, the competent veterinary authority shall  immediately take the following measures: - it shall seize and destroy the consignment, - it shall immediately inform the other border inspection posts and the Commission of the findings  and of the origin of the products, in accordance with Decision 92/438/EEC. 3.  In the case provided for in paragraph 1, the Commission may take provisional protective  measures in respect of products covered by Articles 11 and 12. 4.  Representatives of the Commission may make an immediate visit to the third country concerned. 5.  Within 10 working days, the Standing Veterinary Committte shall have the matter referred to it,  pursuant to the terms of Article 25, with a view to the extension, amendment or repeal of the  measures provided for in paragraphs 1 and 3. The procdure provided for in Article 25 may also be  used for adopting the necessary decisions, including those relating to intra-Community movement of  products and to transit. 6.  Decisions to modify, repeal or extend measures decided on by virtue of paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 5  shall be taken in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 25.7.  Detailed rules for the application of this chapter shall be adopted, where necessary, in  accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 26. CHAPTER III Inspection Article 22 1.  Veterinary experts from the Commission may, in  conjunction with the competent national authorities and whenever uniform application of the  requirements of this Directive renders it necessary, verify that the border inspection posts  approved in accordance with Article 6 satisfy the criteria listed in Annex II. 2.  Veterinary experts from the Commission may, in conjunction with the competent authorities, make  on-the-spot checks. 3.  A Member State in whose territory an inspection is made shall provide the veterinary experts  from the Commission with any assistance they may require in the performance of their tasks. 4.  The Commission shall inform the Member States of the outcome of the checks. 5.  Where the Commission deems that the outcome of checks so justifies, it shall review the  situation within the Standing Veterinary Committee. It may adopt the necessary decisions in  accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 25. 6.  The Commission shall monitor developments; in the light of such developments and in accordance  with the procedure referred to in Article 25, it may amend or repeal the decisions referred to in  paragraph 5. 7.  Detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted, where necessary, in  accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 26. Article 23 1.  Where, on the basis of the checks carried out at the point where the products are  marketed, a competent authority of a Member State considers that this Directive is not being  complied with at a border inspection post referred to in Article 6, or in a customs warehouse, free  zone or free warehouse referred to in Article 12 of another Member State, it shall contact the  competent central authority of that Member State without delay. The latter shall take all the necessary measures and inform the competent authority of the first  Member State of the nature of the checks made, the decisions taken and the reasons for such  decisions. If the competent authority of the first Member State believes the measures are insufficient it  shall examine, with the competent authority of the Member State in question, the possible ways and  means of remedying the situation, where necessary by visiting the Member State in question. Where the checks referred to in the first subparagraph show repeated non-compliance with this  Directive, the competent authority of the Member state of destination shall inform the Commission  and the competent authorities of the other Member states. The Commission may, at the request of the competent authority of the Member State of destination or  on its own initiative, and taking account of the type of infringements complained of: - send an inspection team to the Member State in question in conjunction with the competent  national authorities, - request the competent authority to step up the checks carried out at the border inspection post,  customs warehouse, free zone or free warehouse in question. Pending the Commission's findings, the Member State attacked must, at the request of the Member  State of destination, step up checks at the border inspection post, customs warehouse, free zone or  free warehouse concerned. The Member State of destination may, for its part, intensify checks on products coming from these  sources. At the request of one of the two Member States concerned - where the irregularities are confirmed  by the inspection referred to in the first indent of the fifth subparagraph - the Commission must,  in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 25, take the appropriate measures. These  measures must be confirmed or reviewed as soon as possible in accordance with the same procedure. 2.  Rights of appeal available under the laws in force in the Member States against decisions by  the competent authorities shall not be affected by this Directive. Decisions taken by the competent authority and the reasons for such decisions shall be notified to  the operator concerned by such decisions, or to his representative. If the operator concerned or his representative so requests, the said decisions and reasons shall  be forwarded to him in writing, together with details of the rights of appeal available to him  under the law in force in the Member State performing the checks, and also the procedure and time  limits applicable. 3.  The detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the  procedure referred to in Article 26. Article 24 1.  Each Member State shall draw up a programme for the exchange of officials  empowered to carry out the checks on products coming from third countries. 2.  The Commission and the Member States shall coordinate the programmes referred to in paragraph 1  within the Standing Veterinary Committee. 3.  Member States shall take all the measures necessary to allow implementation of the programmes  resulting from the coordination referred to in paragraph 2. 4.  Each year, in the Standing Veterinary Committee, the implementation of programmes shall be  reviewed on the basis of reports drawn up by the Member States. 5.  Member States shall take into account the experience gained in order to improve and develop the  programmes on exchanges. 6.  A financial contribution from the Community may be granted in order to promote the efficient  development of exchange programmes. Detailed rules for the Community's financial contribution and  the estimated amount to be charged to the Community budget are laid down in Council Decision  90/424/EEC  (1). 7.  Detailed rules for the application of paragraphs 1, 4 and 5 shall be adopted where necessary,  in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 26. CHAPTER IV General provisions Article 25 Where reference is made to the procedure provided for  in this Article, the Standing Veterinary Committee set up by Council Decision 68/361/EEC  (2) shall  take decisions in accordance with the rules established in Article 17 of Directive 89/662/EEC. Article 26 Where reference is made to the procedure defined in this Article, the Standing  Veterinary Committee shall take decisions in accordance with the rules established in Article 18 of  Directive 89/662/EEC. Article 27 Annex II to this Directive may be supplemented in accordance with the procedure  referred to in Article 26. Article 28 This Directive shall be without prejudice to obligations arising from customs rules. Article 29 Member States, in particular Austria and Finland, may make use of the Community  financial assistance provided for in Article 38 of Decision 90/424/EEC for the implementation of  this Directive. Article 30 Directive 90/675/EEC is repealed with effect from 1 January 1997. References to the Directive repealed in the first paragraph shall be construed as references to  this Directive and shall be correlated in accordance with the table set out in Annex III. Article 31 1.  Member States shall adopt and publish the laws, regulations and administrative  provisions necessary to comply with the provisions of this Directive before 1 January 1997; they  shall forthwith notify the Commission thereof. They shall apply those provisions as from 1 January 1997. When Member States adopt these provisions, these shall contain a reference to this Directive or  shall be accompanied by such reference at the time of their official publication. The procedure for  such reference shall be adopted by Member States. 2.  Member States shall communicate to the Commission the texts of the main provisions of national  law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive. Article 32 This Directive shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the  Official Journal of the European Communities. Article 33 This Directive is addressed to the Member States.(1) OJ No L 373,  31. 12. 1990, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 95/52/EC (OJ No L 265, 8. 11. 1995, p.  16).  (1) OJ No L 395, 30.  12.  1989, p. 13. Directive as last amended by Directive 92/118/EEC (OJ No L  62, 15.  3.  1992, p. 49).  (2) OJ No L 224, 18.  8.  1990, p. 29. Directive as last amended by Directive 92/118/EEC.  (1) OJ No L 243, 25. 8. 1992, p. 27. Decision as amended by the Act of Accession of Austria,  Finland and Sweden.  (1) OJ No L 302, 19. 10. 1992, p. 1. Regulation as amended by the Act of Accession of Austria,  Finland and Sweden.  (1) OJ No L 302, 31. 12. 1972, p. 28. Directive as amended by the Act of Accession of Austria,  Finland and Sweden.  (1) OJ No L 363, 27. 12. 1990, p. 51. Directive as last amended by the Act of Accession of Austria,  Finland and Sweden.  (2) OJ No L 121, 12. 5. 1994, p. 3.  (3) OJ No L 268, 24. 9. 1991, p. 15. Directive as amended by Directive 95/71/EC (OJ No L 332, 30.  12. 1995, p. 40).  (1) OJ No L 378, 31. 12. 1982, p. 58. Directive as last amended by the Act of Accession of Austria,  Finland and Sweden).  (1) OJ No L 224, 18. 8. 1990, p. 19. Decision as last amended by Decision 94/370/EC (OJ No L 168,  2. 7. 1994, p. 31).  (2) OJ No L 255, 18. 10. 1968, p. 23.   ANNEX I 1. The territory of the Kingdom of Belgium. 2. The territory of the Kingdom of Denmark with the exception of the Faroe Islands and Greenland. 3. The territory of the Federal Republic of Germany. 4. The territory of the Kingdom of Spain with the exception of Ceuta and Melilla. 5. The territory of the Hellenic Republic. 6. The territory of the French Republic. 7. The territory of Ireland. 8. The territory of the Italian Republic. 9. The territory of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg10. The territory of the Kingdom of the  Netherlands in Europe. 11. The territory of the Portuguese Republic. 12. The territory of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 13. The territory of the Republic of Austria. 14. The territory of the Republic of Finland. 15. The territory of the Kingdom of Sweden. ANNEX II In order to obtain Community approval, border inspection posts must have: - the staff necessary to check the documents (public health and animal health certificates or any  other document laid down by Community legislation) accompanying the products, - sufficient numbers, in relation to the quantity of products dealt with by the border inspection  post, of veterinary and auxiliary staff specially trained to carry out checks that products  correspond to the accompanying documents and systematic physical checks of each product  consignment, - sufficient staff to take and process random samples of product consigements presented at a given  border inspection post, - sufficiently large premises at the disposal of the staff responsible for carrying out veterinary  checks, - appropriate premises and facilities for taking and processing the samples for the routine checks  laid down in Community rules (microbiological standards), - the services of a specialized laboratory situated near the border inspection post and able to  carry out special tests on the samples taken at that post, - premises and cold stores permitting the storage of part-consignments taken for testing and  products whose release for free circulation has not been authorized by the veterinary officer  responsible for the border inspection post, - appropriate equipment permitting the rapid exchange of information, in particular with other  border inspection posts (through the computerized system provided for in Article 20 of Directive  90/425/EEC or the Shift project). ANNEX III >TABLE>