Article 1 
The Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America on sanitary measures to protect public and animal health in trade in live animals and animal products is hereby approved on behalf of the Community. The text of the Agreement and the Annexes thereto are attached to this Decision.
Article 2 
The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person or persons empowered to sign the Agreement in order to bind the Community.
Article 3 
The measures necessary for the implementation of this Agreement, including as regards fresh meat and meat-based products guarantees equivalent to those laid down by Directive 72/462/EEC ( 1 ) , shall be established pursuant to the procedure laid down in Article 30 of that Directive.
Article 4 
The Commission, assisted by Member States' representatives, shall represent the Community in the Joint Committee referred to in Article 14(1) of the Agreement. The Community position with regard to the matters to be dealt with by that Joint Committee shall be established within the appropriate Council bodies, in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty. Amendments to the Annexes to the Agreement which are the result of recommendations by the Joint Committee shall be adopted according to the procedure provided for in Article 29 of Directive 72/462/EEC.
Article 5 
This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. It shall take effect on the date of its publication. Done at Brussels, 16 March 1998. For the Council The President J. CUNNINGHAM Done at Brussels, 16 March 1998. For the Council The President J. CUNNINGHAM For the Council The President J. CUNNINGHAM