COMMISSION DECISION of 27 April 1994 laying down the animal health requirements and the veterinary certification for the importation from third countries of processed animal protein including products containing this protein intended for animal  consumption (Text with EEA relevance) (94/344/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 92/118/EEC of 17 December 1992 laying down animal health and public health requirements governing trade in and imports into Community of products not subject to the said requirements laid down in specific Community  rules referred to in Annex A (I) to Directive 89/662/EEC and, as regards pathogens, in Directive 90/425/EEC (1), and in particular Article 10 paragraph 2 (c),
Whereas Chapter 6 of Annex I to Directive 92/118/EEC lays down requirements for the importation of processed animal protein, or products containing this protein, intended for animal consumption, and, whereas the said Chapter 6 allows Member States to  maintain their national import rules in force before 18 December 1992, concerning the requirements applicable as regards BSE and scrapie, pending a decision on the type of heat treatment capable of destroying the agent responsible;
Whereas the import requirements for petfood in hermetically-sealed containers containing processed animal protein derived from high-risk materials and petfood derived from low-risk material are laid down in Commission Decision 94/309/EC (2);
Whereas Commission Decision 94/278/EC (3) has laid down a list of third countries from which Member States authorize the importation of processed animal protein, or products containing this protein, intended for animal consumption, except for fishmeal  and similar products, and a list of third countries from which Member States authorize the importation of fishmeal and similar products;
Whereas animal health conditions and veterinary certification for the importation of these products from third countries must be laid down; whereas it is necessary to lay down different import requirements for fishmeal and similar products and other  processed animal protein intended for animal consumption, and for the latter to take into account the fact that they derive either from high-risk material or low-risk material, as defined by Council Directive 90/667/EEC (4), as amended by Directive  92/118/EEC;
Whereas considering that a new certification regime is being established, a period of time should be provided for its implementation;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,
1. Member States shall authorize the importation from third countries of processed animal protein intended for animal consumption, derived from high-risk material, or the import of products, including mixtures, containing these proteins, if  they are processed in a registered and approved plant in accordance with Directive 90/667/EEC, and if it is accompanied by a health certificate as set out in Annex A.
The first subparagraph shall not apply to petfood in hermetically-sealed containers containing processed animal protein derived from high-risk material.
2. Member States shall authorize the importation from third countries of processed animal protein intended for animal consumption, derived from low-risk material or the import of products, including mixtures, containing these proteins, if they are  processed in a registered and approved plant in accordance with Directive 90/667/EEC, and if it is accompanied by a health certificate as set out in Annex B.
The first subparagraph shall not apply to petfood.
3. Member States shall authorize the importation from third countries of fishmeal and meal derived from other sea animals, excluding mammals, intended for animal consumption, or the import of products including mixtures, containing these proteins if it  is processed in a registered and approved plant in accordance with Directive 90/667/EEC, and if it is accompanied by a health certificate as set out in Annex C.
The first subparagraph shall not apply to petfood.
4. The health certificates referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall consist of one sheet and shall be completed in at least one official language of the Member State carrying out import checks.
This Decision shall apply from 1 July 1994.
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.