2004/824/EC: Commission Decision of 1 December 2004 establishing a model health certificate for non-commercial movements of dogs, cats and ferrets from third countries into the Community (notified under document number C(2004) 4421)Text with EEA relevance

3.12.2004 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 358/12
COMMISSION DECISION
of 1 December 2004
establishing a model health certificate for non-commercial movements of dogs, cats and ferrets from third countries into the Community
(notified under document number C(2004) 4421)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2004/824/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to the Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals and amending Council Directive 92/65/EEC (1), and in particular Article 8(4) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 establishes conditions for non-commercial movements of dogs, cats and ferrets from third countries into the Community. These conditions differ depending on the status of the third country of origin and of the Member State of destination.
(2) Commission Decision 2004/203/EC of 18 February 2004 establishing a model health certificate for non-commercial movements from third countries of dogs, cats and ferrets (2) establishes the model certificate to accompany such animals when entering the Community, for which a Corrigendum (3) has been published.
(3) Commission Decision 2004/539/EC 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 (4) allows until 1 October 2004 the coexistence of certificates issued in conformity with Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 or with the national rules which were in force before 3 July 2004.
(4) By Council Decision 2004/650/EC of 13 September 2004 amending Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals to take account of the accession of Malta (5), Malta was added to the list of countries in Part A of Annex II to the Regulation. Consequently specific provisions applying to entries of pet animals into Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdom should be extended to Malta.
(5) For the sake of clarity Decision 2004/203/EC should be repealed and replaced by this Decision.
(6) In view of the very specific nature of the animals and movements concerned, it is appropriate to facilitate the drawing up and use of the certificate for the veterinarians and travelers concerned.
(7) Since Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 and Decision 2004/203/EC, as replaced by the present Decision, are to apply from 3 July 2004, this Decision should also apply without delay.
(8) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,