COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 95/24/EC
of 22 June  1995
amending the Annex to Directive 85/73/EEC 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
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to 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 (1), and in particular Article 6 (1) and (2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas Directive 85/73/EEC laid down the necessary detailed rules to ensure the financing of  veterinary controls of fresh meat;
Whereas, for meat from third countries, a link should be established with the date as from which  agreements should be concluded on the reduced frequency of physical checks on consignments of  certain products to be imported from third countries, pursuant to Directive 90/675/EEC (2); whereas  this frequency should be defined under equivalence agreements being negotiated with certain third  countries;
Whereas these negotiations have not yet been completed; whereas therefore the date from which the  fee fixed by the Directive for fresh meat coming from those countries is to be charged should be  extended,
In Chapter II of the Annex to Directive 85/73/EEC, point 2 shall be  replaced by the following:
'2. However, for imports from any of the following countries: New Zealand, Canada, Australia, the  United States, Poland, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania,  Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Switzerland and Norway, which as at 31 December 1994 have begun  exploratory talks with the European Community with a view to concluding a comprehensive agreement  on the equivalence of veterinary guarantees (animal health and public health) based on the  principle of reciprocal treatment, Member States may, until such an agreement is concluded or until  31 December 1996 at the latest, maintain the reduced level of fees which they applied as at 1  January 1994.
That reduction may not be more than 55 % of the flat-rate levels referred to in point 1.
The amount of the fee to be charged on imports from any of the third countries referred to in the  first subparagraph shall be fixed, following the conclusion of the comprehensive equivalence  agreement with the said third country, by the procedure referred to in paragraph 3, taking into  account the following principles:
- the frequency of checks,
- the level of the fee applied by the said third country to imports originating in the Community,
- abolition of other charges levied by the third country, such as compulsory lodging or collection  of a health bond.'
1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and  administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive. They shall forthwith inform the  Commission thereof.
When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall  be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of  making such reference shall be laid down by Member States.
2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions of domestic  law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.
This Directive shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official  Journal of the European Communities.
It shall apply from 1 July 1995.
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.