2000/208/EC: Commission Decision of 24 February 2000 establishing detailed rules for the application of Council Directive 97/78/EC concerning the transit of products of animal origin from one third country to another third country by road only across the European Community (notified under document number C(2000) 468) (Text with EEA relevance)

COMMISSION DECISION
of 24 February 2000
establishing detailed rules for the application of Council Directive 97/78/EC concerning the transit of products of animal origin from one third country to another third country by road only across the European Community
(notified under document number C(2000) 468)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2000/208/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 97/78/EC of 18 December 1997 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries(1), and in particular Article 11(4) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) It is necessary to adopt as a priority, to avoid any unnecessary delays to trade, rules for the exit of products of animal origin transiting the European Community by road only from one third country to another third country.
(2) These rules apply in respect of Article 11(2)(e) of Directive 97/78/EC for the procedures for crossing the Community by road only.
(3) It is important that the official veterinarian responsible at a border inspection post receiving goods in transit for exit from the Community is made aware of consignments arriving at all times but especially those arriving outside normal working hours of the border inspection post.
(4) it is important to specify the checks that must be performed at the border inspection post of exit to verify the provenance of the consignment.
(5) It is also important to specify the category of approval of the border inspection post of exit to ensure that the personnel operating there are familiar with the products that are presented for examination.
(6) It is necessary to have a harmonised approach to the examination of consignments so presented and to the annotation of documents being returned to the border inspection post of introduction.
(7) A derogation concerning the personnel carrying out checks has been put in place for border inspection posts which are approved only for checks on fishery products.
(8) This Decision will apply separately from any working arrangements entered into by the Community with particular third countries under accepted international agreements.
(9) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,