96/345/EC: Commission Decision of 22 May 1996 laying down certain detailed rules concerning on-the-spot checks carried out in the veterinary field by Commission experts in the Member States (Text with EEA relevance)

COMMISSION DECISION of 22 May 1996 laying down certain detailed rules concerning on-the-spot checks carried out in the veterinary field by Commission experts in the Member States (Text with EEA relevance) (96/345/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 64/433/EEC of 26 June 1964 on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in fresh meat (1), as last amended by Directive 95/23/EC (2), and in particular Article 12 thereof, and to the corresponding provisions of the other Directives and Decisions in the veterinary field, especially those concerning health problems affecting intra-Community trade in products of animal origin, laying down the animal health requirements applicable to intra-Community trade in live animals and in products of animal origin, concerning the examination of animals and fresh meat for the presence of residues, introducing measures for the control or the eradication of certain diseases, setting up standards for the animal welfare, introducing financial measures for the eradication of certain diseases and concerning expenditure in the veterinary field,
Whereas the Commission must adopt the general implementing rules establishing the conditions under which the on-the-spot checks in the Directives and Decisions referred to above must take place, in collaboration with the Member States concerned;
Whereas some rules relating to the on-the-spot checks by Commission experts are common to all these regulations; whereas, therefore, they should be brought together in a single Decision; therefore, it is necessary to repeal Commission Decision 85/446/EEC of 18 September 1985 concerning the on-the-spot inspections to be carried out in respect of the intra-Community trade in fresh meat (3);
Whereas, in the frame of the on-the-spot checks foreseen in Article 12 of Directive 64/433/EEC and in Article 10 of Council Directive 71/118/EEC (4), as last amended by Directive 94/65/EC (5), the Commission may, without warning, verify the actual application of dispositions of Council Directive 85/73/EEC of 29 January 1985 on the financing of veterinary inspections and controls of animal products covered by Annex A to Directive 89/662/EEC and by Directive 90/675/EEC (6), as last amended by Directive 96/17/EC (7);
Whereas, where this is necessary to ensure the uniform application of the Directives, the on-the-spot checks should be included in programmes established after discussion with the Member States concerned and an exchange of views in the Standing Veterinary Committee;
Whereas that collaboration must continue during the on-the-spot checks and must enable Commission experts to be accompanied by experts appointed by the Commission who are subject to certain obligations and have reimbursement of their travel and subsistence costs guaranteed;
Whereas it is necessary to ensure that after on-the-spot checks Member States are informed of the results obtained and that the results are taken into account by the Member States concerned;
Whereas provision should also be made for a rapid procedure enabling, where necessary Community Decisions to be adopted, particularly in cases where on-the-spot checks have revealed a serious public health risk or where it is found that measures acknowledged as indispensable after the checks have not been taken;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,