This Regulation lays down the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals and the rules for compliance checks on such movement.
Article 2 -
Scope
1. This Regulation shall apply to the non-commercial movement of pet animals into a Member State from another Member State or from a territory or a third country.
2. This Regulation shall apply without prejudice to:
(a)
Regulation (EC) No 338/97;
(b)
any national measures adopted, published and made available to the public by Member States to restrict the movement of certain species or breeds of pet animals on the basis of considerations other than those relating to animal health.
Article 3 -
Definitions
For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:
(a)
‘non-commercial movement’ means any movement which does not have as its aim either the sale of or the transfer of ownership of a pet animal;
(b)
‘pet animal’ means an animal of a species listed in Annex I accompanying its owner or an authorised person during non-commercial movement, and which remains for the duration of such non-commercial movement under the responsibility of the owner or the authorised person;
(c)
‘owner’ means a natural person indicated as the owner in the identification document;
(d)
‘authorised person’ means any natural person who has authorisation in writing from the owner to carry out the non-commercial movement of the pet animal on behalf of the owner;
(e)
‘transponder’ means a read-only passive radio frequency identification device;
(f)
‘identification document’ means a document drawn up in accordance with the model set out in implementing acts to be adopted pursuant to this Regulation, that enables the pet animal to be clearly identified and its health status to be checked for compliance with this Regulation;
(g)
‘authorised veterinarian’ means any veterinarian who has been authorised by the competent authority to carry out specific tasks in accordance with this Regulation or with acts adopted pursuant to this Regulation;
(h)
‘official veterinarian’ means any veterinarian appointed by the competent authority;
(i)
‘documentary check’ means verification of the identification document accompanying the pet animal;
(j)
‘identity check’ means verification for consistency between the identification document and the pet animal and where appropriate, for the presence and conformity of the marking;
(k)
‘travellers’ point of entry’ means any area designated by Member States for the purposes of the checks referred to in Article 34(1).
Article 4 -
General obligation
Non-commercial movement of pet animals that complies with the animal health requirements laid down in this Regulation shall not be prohibited, restricted or impeded on animal health grounds other than those resulting from the application of this Regulation.
Article 5 -
Maximum number of pet animals
1. The maximum number of pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I which may accompany the owner or an authorised person during a single non-commercial movement shall not exceed five.
2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the maximum number of pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I may exceed five if the following conditions are fulfilled:
(a)
the non-commercial movement of pet animals is for the purpose of participating in competitions, exhibitions or sporting events or in training for such events;
(b)
the owner or the authorised person submits written evidence that the pet animals are registered either to attend an event referred to in point (a), or with an association organising such events;
(c)
the pet animals are more than six months old.
3. Member States may undertake standard spot checks to verify that the information submitted under point (b) of paragraph 2 is correct.
4. Where the maximum number of pet animals referred to in paragraph 1 is exceeded and the conditions referred to in paragraph 2 are not fulfilled, those pet animals shall comply with the animal health requirements laid down in Directive 92/65/EEC for the species concerned and Member States shall ensure that those animals are subject to the veterinary checks provided for in Directives 90/425/EEC or 91/496/EEC, as appropriate.
5. In order to prevent commercial movement of pet animals of the species listed in Part B of Annex I from being fraudulently disguised as non-commercial movement, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 39 laying down rules setting the maximum number of pet animals of those species that may accompany the owner or an authorised person during a single non-commercial movement.
6. The Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of this Article not later than 29 June 2018. The Commission shall, where necessary, propose amendments to this Regulation on the basis of its report.
CHAPTER II - CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO THE NON-COMMERCIAL MOVEMENT OF PET ANIMALS INTO A MEMBER STATE FROM ANOTHER MEMBER STATE
SECTION 1 - Pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I
Article 6 -
Conditions applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I
Pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I shall not be moved into a Member State from another Member State unless they fulfil the following conditions:
(a)
they are marked in accordance with Article 17(1);
(b)
they have received an anti-rabies vaccination that complies with the validity requirements set out in Annex III;
(c)
they comply with any preventive health measures for diseases or infections other than rabies adopted pursuant to Article 19(1);
(d)
they are accompanied by an identification document duly completed and issued in accordance with Article 22.
Article 7 -
Derogation from the anti-rabies vaccination condition for young pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I
1. Subject to paragraph 2, Member States may, by way of derogation from point (b) of Article 6, authorise the non-commercial movement into their territory from another Member State of pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I, which are:
(a)
either less than 12 weeks old and have not received an anti-rabies vaccination; or
(b)
between 12 and 16 weeks old and have received an anti-rabies vaccination, but do not yet meet the validity requirements referred to in point 2(e) of Annex III.
2. The authorisation referred to in paragraph 1 may be granted only if:
(a)
either the owner or the authorised person provides a signed declaration that from birth until the time of the non-commercial movement the pet animals have had no contact with wild animals of species susceptible to rabies; or
(b)
the pet animals are accompanied by their mother, on whom they still depend, and from the identification document accompanying their mother it can be established that, before their birth, the mother received an anti-rabies vaccination which complied with the validity requirements set out in Annex III.
3. The Commission may, by means of an implementing act, adopt rules on the format, layout and languages of the declarations referred to in point (a) of paragraph 2 of this Article. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 41(2).
Article 8 -
Derogation from the anti-rabies vaccination condition for pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I
1. By way of derogation from point (b) of Article 6, the direct non-commercial movement between Member States or parts thereof, of pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I that have not been vaccinated against rabies, may be authorised in accordance with the procedure referred to in paragraph 2 upon a joint application by the Member States concerned.
2. The Commission shall, by means of an implementing act, adopt a list of Member States that are authorised to conclude mutual agreements to derogate from point (b) of Article 6 in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article. That list shall set out the parts of those Member States for which the derogation may apply.
3. In order to be included in the list referred to in paragraph 2, the Member States interested in such a mutual agreement shall submit a joint application to the Commission, including details of the draft agreement, by which they can demonstrate, taking into account the procedures in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) for self-declaration as to the freedom of a country or zone from rabies, that they fulfil at least the following conditions:
(a)
the applicant Member States shall have in operation ongoing surveillance and reporting systems with regard to rabies;
(b)
the applicant Member States, or the parts of their territory for which the application is made, shall have been free of rabies and rabies shall not be known to have been established in wild animals in the territory of the Member States concerned, or parts thereof, for at least the two years prior to the joint application on the basis of the systems referred to in point (a);
(c)
the applicant Member States shall have in place efficient and effective control measures to prevent the introduction into and spread within their territory of rabies;
(d)
the application of the derogation from point (b) of Article 6 shall be justified and proportionate to the risks to public or animal health associated with the direct non-commercial movement from one of the applicant Member States to the other or part of its territory of non-vaccinated pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I.
The joint application shall contain adequate, reliable and scientifically validated information.
4. The Commission shall, by means of an implementing act, remove Member States from the list referred to in paragraph 2 for the whole or part of their territories should any change in the particulars specified in paragraph 3 no longer support the application of the derogation.
5. The implementing acts referred to in paragraphs 2 and 4 shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 41(2).
6. On duly justified imperative grounds of urgency relating to risks to public or animal health, the Commission shall adopt immediately applicable implementing acts updating the list of Member States or parts thereof referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 41(3).
SECTION 2 - Pet animals of the species listed in Part B of Annex I
Article 9 -
Conditions applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals of the species listed in Part B of Annex I
1. Insofar as the Commission has adopted a delegated act pursuant to Article 19(1) with regard to pet animals of one of the species listed in Part B of Annex I, the non-commercial movement of pet animals of that species into a Member State from another Member State shall be subject to compliance with the conditions laid down in paragraph 2 of this Article.
2. Pet animals of the species referred to in paragraph 1 may be moved into a Member State from another Member State only if they fulfil the following conditions:
(a)
they are marked or described according to the requirements adopted pursuant to Article 17(2);
(b)
they comply with any preventive health measures for diseases or infections other than rabies adopted pursuant to Article 19(1);
(c)
they are accompanied by an identification document duly completed and issued in accordance with Article 29.
3. Pending the adoption of the relevant delegated acts referred to in paragraph 1, Member States may apply national rules to the non-commercial movement of pet animals of the species listed in Part B of Annex I into their territory from another Member State, provided that such rules are:
(a)
applied proportionately to the risk to public or animal health associated with the non-commercial movement of the pet animals of those species; and
(b)
not stricter than those applied to trade in animals of those species in accordance with Directives 92/65/EEC or 2006/88/EC.
CHAPTER III - CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO THE NON-COMMERCIAL MOVEMENT OF PET ANIMALS INTO A MEMBER STATE FROM A TERRITORY OR A THIRD COUNTRY
SECTION 1 - Pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I
Article 10 -
Conditions applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I
1. Pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I shall not be moved into a Member State from a territory or a third country unless they fulfil the following conditions:
(a)
they are marked in accordance with Article 17(1);
(b)
they have received an anti-rabies vaccination that complies with the validity requirements set out in Annex III;
(c)
they have undergone a rabies antibody titration test that complies with the validity requirements set out in Annex IV;
(d)
they comply with any preventive health measures for diseases or infections other than rabies adopted pursuant to Article 19(1);
(e)
they are accompanied by an identification document duly completed and issued in accordance with Article 26.
2. Pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I may be moved into a Member State from a territory or a third country other than those listed pursuant to Article 13(1) only through a travellers’ point of entry listed as required pursuant to Article 34(3).
3. By way of derogation from paragraph 2, Member States may authorise registered military or search-and-rescue dogs to move through a point of entry other than a travellers’ point of entry provided that:
(a)
the owner or the authorised person has applied in advance for a permit and the Member State has granted such a permit; and
(b)
the dogs undergo compliance checks in accordance with Article 34(2) at a place designated by the competent authority for that purpose and in accordance with the arrangements set out in the permit referred to in point (a) of this paragraph.
Article 11 -
Derogation from the anti-rabies vaccination condition for young pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I
1. Subject to paragraph 2, by way of derogation from point (b) of Article 10(1), Member States may authorise the non-commercial movement into their territory from territories or third countries listed pursuant to Article 13(1) or (2) of pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I, which are:
(a)
either less than 12 weeks old and have not received an anti-rabies vaccination; or
(b)
between 12 and 16 weeks old and have received an anti-rabies vaccination, but do not yet meet the validity requirements referred to in point 2(e) of Annex III.
2. The authorisation referred to in paragraph 1 may be granted only if:
(a)
either the owner or the authorised person provides a signed declaration that from birth until the time of the non-commercial movement the pet animals have had no contact with wild animals of species susceptible to rabies; or
(b)
the pet animals are accompanied by their mother, on whom they still depend, and from the identification document accompanying their mother it can be established that, before their birth, the mother received an anti-rabies vaccination which complied with the validity requirements set out in Annex III.
3. The subsequent non-commercial movement into another Member State of pet animals referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be prohibited, except where they are moved in accordance with the conditions laid down in Article 6 or where they have been authorised to be moved in accordance with Article 7 and the Member State of destination has also authorised the movement into its territory from territories or third countries in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article.
4. The Commission may, by means of an implementing act, adopt rules on the format, layout and languages of the declarations referred to in point (a) of paragraph 2 of this Article. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 41(2).
Article 12 -
Derogation from the antibody titration test condition for pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I
1. By way of derogation from point (c) of Article 10(1), the antibody titration test shall not be required for pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I that are being moved into a Member State from a territory or a third country listed pursuant to Article 13(1) or (2):
(a)
either directly;
(b)
following residency exclusively in one or more of those territories or third countries; or
(c)
after transit through a territory or a third country other than those listed pursuant to Article 13(1) or (2), provided that the owner or authorised person provides a signed declaration that during such transit the pet animals have had no contact with animals of species susceptible to rabies and remain secured within a means of transport or within the perimeter of an international airport.
2. The Commission may, by means of an implementing act, adopt rules on the format, layout and languages of the declarations referred to in point (c) of paragraph 1 of this Article. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 41(2).
Article 13 -
Establishment of a list of territories and third countries
1. The Commission shall, by means of an implementing act, adopt a list of territories and third countries which have made an application for entry on the list in which they demonstrate that for pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I, they apply rules, the content and effect of which are the same as those laid down in Section 1 of Chapter II, this Section and Section 2 of Chapter VI and where applicable the rules adopted pursuant to those rules.
2. The Commission shall, by means of an implementing act, adopt a list of territories and third countries which have made an application for entry on the list in which they demonstrate that for pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I, they fulfil at least the following criteria:
(a)
the notification of cases of rabies to the competent authorities is obligatory;
(b)
an effective surveillance system for rabies has been in place for at least two years prior to the application, a minimum requirement of which is an on-going early detection programme to ensure investigation and reporting of animals suspected of having rabies;
(c)
the structure and organisation of their veterinary and control services, and the powers of such services, the supervision to which they are subject and the means at their disposal, including staff and laboratory capacity, are sufficient to:
(i)
apply and enforce national legislation on the non-commercial movement of pet animals effectively; and
(ii)
guarantee the validity of the identification documents in the format provided for in Article 25 and issued in accordance with Article 26;
(d)
rules on the prevention and control of rabies are in force and implemented effectively to minimise the risk of infection of pet animals, including rules on imports of pet animals from other countries or territories, and where appropriate, on:
(i)
the control of the stray dog and cat population;
(ii)
the vaccination of domestic animals against rabies, in particular where rabies is present in vampire bats; and
(iii)
the control and eradication of rabies in wildlife;
(e)
rules are in force on the licensing and marketing of anti-rabies vaccines.
3. The implementing acts referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 41(2).
On duly justified imperative grounds of urgency relating to risks to public or animal health, the Commission shall adopt immediately applicable implementing acts updating the list of territories or third countries referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 41(3).
SECTION 2 - Pet animals of the species listed in Part B of Annex I
Article 14 -
Conditions applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals of the species listed in Part B of Annex I
1. Insofar as the Commission has adopted a delegated act pursuant to Article 19(1) with regard to pet animals of one of the species listed in Part B of Annex I, the non-commercial movement of pet animals of that species into a Member State from a territory or a third country shall be subject to compliance with the conditions laid down in paragraph 2 of this Article.
2. Pet animals referred to in paragraph 1 may be moved into a Member State from a territory or a third country only if they fulfil the following conditions:
(a)
they are marked or described according to the requirements adopted pursuant to Article 17(2);
(b)
they comply with any preventive health measures for diseases or infections other than rabies adopted pursuant to Article 19(1);
(c)
they are accompanied by an identification document duly completed and issued in accordance with Article 31;
(d)
they enter through a travellers’ point of entry when coming from a territory or a third country other than those listed pursuant to Article 15.
3. Pending the adoption of the relevant delegated acts referred to in paragraph 1, Member States may apply national rules to the non-commercial movement of pet animals of the species listed in Part B of Annex I into their territory from a territory or a third country, provided that such rules are:
(a)
applied proportionately to the risk to public or animal health associated with the non-commercial movement of the pet animals of those species; and
(b)
not stricter than those applied to imports of animals of those species in accordance with Directives 92/65/EEC or 2006/88/EC.
Article 15 -
Establishment of a list of territories and third countries
The Commission may, by means of an implementing act, adopt a list of territories and third countries which have demonstrated that for pet animals of the species listed in Part B of Annex I, they apply rules the content and effect of which are the same as those laid down in Section 2 of Chapter II, this Section and Section 2 of Chapter VI and where applicable the rules adopted pursuant to those rules.
SECTION 3 - Derogation from the conditions on the non-commercial movement of pet animals
Article 16 -
Derogation from the conditions applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals between certain countries and territories
By way of derogation from Articles 10 and 14, the non-commercial movement of pet animals between the following countries and territories may continue under the conditions laid down by the national rules of those countries and territories:
(a)
San Marino and Italy;
(b)
the Vatican and Italy;
(c)
Monaco and France;
(d)
Andorra and France;
(e)
Andorra and Spain;
(f)
Norway and Sweden;
(g)
Faeroe Islands and Denmark;
(h)
Greenland and Denmark.
CHAPTER IV - MARKING AND PREVENTIVE HEALTH MEASURES
SECTION 1 - Marking
Article 17 -
Marking of pet animals
1. Pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I shall be marked by the implantation of a transponder or by a clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011.
Where the transponder referred to in the first subparagraph does not comply with the technical requirements set out in Annex II, the owner or the authorised person shall provide the means necessary for reading that transponder at the time of any verification of the marking provided for in Article 22(1) and (2), and Article 26, and the identity checks provided for in Article 33 and Article 34(1).
2. Pet animals of the species listed in Part B of Annex I shall be marked or described taking into account the specificities of each species, in such a manner that a link between the pet animal and its corresponding identification document is ensured.
In view of the diversity of species listed in Part B of Annex I, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 39 concerning such species-specific requirements for marking or describing pet animals of those species, taking into account any relevant national requirements.
Article 18 -
Qualifications required for implanting transponders in pet animals
Where a Member State intends to allow the implantation of transponders by a person other than a veterinarian, it shall lay down rules on the minimum qualifications that such persons are required to have.
SECTION 2 - Preventive health measures for diseases or infections other than rabies
Article 19 -
Preventive health measures and conditions for their application
1. Where preventive health measures are necessary for the protection of public health or the health of pet animals for controlling diseases or infections other than rabies that are likely to be spread due to the movement of those pet animals, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 39 concerning species-specific preventive health measures for such diseases or infections.
Where, in the event of risks to public or animal health, imperative grounds of urgency so require, the procedure provided for in Article 40 shall apply to delegated acts adopted pursuant to this paragraph.
2. The species-specific preventive health measures authorised by a delegated act adopted pursuant to paragraph 1 shall be based on adequate, reliable and validated scientific information and applied proportionately to the risk to public or animal health associated with the non-commercial movement of pet animals likely to be affected by diseases or infections other than rabies.
3. The delegated acts provided for in paragraph 1 may also include:
(a)
rules for the categorisation of Member States or parts thereof according to their animal health status and their surveillance and reporting systems with regard to certain diseases or infections other than rabies;
(b)
the conditions that Member States are to fulfil in order to remain eligible for the application of the preventive health measures referred to in paragraph 2;
(c)
the conditions for applying and documenting the preventive health measures referred to in paragraph 2 prior to the non-commercial movement of pet animals;
(d)
the conditions for granting derogations in certain specified circumstances from the application of the preventive health measures referred to in paragraph 2.
Article 20 -
List of Member States or parts thereof referred to in point (a) of Article 19(3)
The Commission may, by means of an implementing act, adopt lists of Member States or parts of the territory of Member States that comply with the rules for the categorisation of Member States or parts thereof referred to in point (a) of Article 19(3). That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 41(2).
CHAPTER V - IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS
SECTION 1 - Identification documents for the non-commercial movement into a Member State from another Member State of pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I
Article 21 -
Format and content of the identification document referred to in point (d) of Article 6
1. The identification document referred to in point (d) of Article 6 shall be in the format of a passport in accordance with the model to be adopted pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Article and shall contain entries for the insertion of the following information:
(a)
the location of the transponder or the tattoo and either the date of application or the date of reading of the transponder or the tattoo, as well as the alphanumeric code displayed by the transponder or the tattoo;
(b)
the name, species, breed, sex, colour, date of birth as stated by the owner and any notable or discernable features or characteristics of the pet animal;
(c)
the name and contact information of the owner;
(d)
the name, contact information and signature of the authorised veterinarian issuing or completing the identification document;
(e)
the signature of the owner;
(f)
details of the anti-rabies vaccination;
(g)
the date of blood sampling for the rabies antibody titration test;
(h)
compliance with any preventive health measures for diseases or infections other than rabies;
(i)
other relevant information regarding the health status of the pet animal.
2. The Commission shall adopt an implementing act laying down the model referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article as well as requirements concerning the languages, layout and security features of the passport referred to in that paragraph, and the rules necessary for the transition to the model of that passport. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 41(2).
3. The passport referred to in paragraph 1 shall bear a number consisting of the ISO code of the Member State of issue, followed by a unique alphanumeric code.
Article 22 -
Issuing and completing the identification document referred to in point (d) of Article 6
1. The identification document referred to in point (d) of Article 6 shall be issued by an authorised veterinarian after:
(a)
he has verified that the pet animal is marked in accordance with Article 17(1);
(b)
he has duly completed the relevant entries in the identification document with the information mentioned in points (a) to (d) of Article 21(1); and
(c)
the owner has signed the identification document.
2. After verifying that the pet animal is marked in accordance with Article 17(1), an authorised veterinarian shall complete the relevant entries of the identification document with the information referred to in points (d), (f), (g) and (h) of Article 21(1), thus certifying compliance with the conditions set out in points (b) and (c) of Article 6 and, where applicable, in point (b)(ii) of Article 27.
Notwithstanding the first subparagraph, the entry on the information referred to in point (h) of Article 21(1) may be completed by a veterinarian other than an authorised veterinarian if so permitted by the delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 19(1).
3. The authorised veterinarian issuing the identification document shall keep records of the information referred to in points (a) to (c) of Article 21(1) and in Article 21(3) for a minimum period to be determined by the competent authority, but which shall not be less than three years.
4. Where necessary, compliance with the conditions referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article may be documented in more than one identification document in the format provided for in Article 21(1).
Article 23 -
Distribution of blank identification documents
1. Competent authorities shall ensure that blank identification documents are distributed only to authorised veterinarians and that their name and contact information are recorded with reference to the number referred to in Article 21(3).
2. The records referred to in paragraph 1 shall be kept for a minimum period to be determined by the competent authority, but which shall not be less than three years.
Article 24 -
Derogation from the format of the identification document provided for in Article 21(1)
1. By way of derogation from Article 21(1), Member States shall authorise the non-commercial movement into a Member State from another Member State of pet animals of the species listed in part A of Annex I accompanied by the identification document issued in accordance with Article 26.
2. Where necessary, compliance with the requirements referred to in point (c) of Article 6 shall be documented in the identification document referred to in paragraph 1, after completion of the checks provided for in Article 34(1).
SECTION 2 - Identification documents for the non-commercial movement into a Member State from a territory or a third country of pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I
Article 25 -
Format and content of the identification document referred to in point (e) of Article 10(1)
1. The identification document referred to in point (e) of Article 10(1) shall be in the format of an animal health certificate in accordance with the model to be adopted pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Article and shall contain entries for the insertion of the following information:
(a)
the location of the transponder or the tattoo and either the date of application or the date of reading of the transponder or the tattoo, as well as the alphanumeric code displayed by the transponder or the tattoo;
(b)
the species, breed, date of birth as stated by the owner, sex and colour of the pet animal;
(c)
a unique certificate reference number;
(d)
the name and contact information of the owner or the authorised person;
(e)
the name, contact information and signature of the official or authorised veterinarian issuing the identification document;
(f)
details of the anti-rabies vaccination;
(g)
the date of blood sampling for the rabies antibody titration test;
(h)
compliance with any preventive health measures for diseases or infections other than rabies;
(i)
the name and the signature of the representative of the endorsing competent authority;
(j)
the name, signature and contact information of the representative of the competent authority carrying out the checks referred to in Article 34 and the date of these checks;
(k)
other relevant information regarding the health status of the pet animal.
2. The Commission shall adopt an implementing act laying down the model referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article as well as requirements concerning the languages, the layout and the validity of the animal health certificate referred to in that paragraph. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 41(2).
3. A written declaration signed by the owner or the authorised person confirming that the movement of the pet animal into the Union is a non-commercial movement shall be part of the identification document referred to in point (e) of Article 10(1).
Article 26 -
Issuing and completing the identification document referred to in point (e) of Article 10(1)
The identification document referred to in point (e) of Article 10(1) shall be issued either by an official veterinarian of the territory or third country of dispatch on the basis of supporting documentation, or by an authorised veterinarian and subsequently endorsed by the competent authority of the territory or third country of dispatch, after the issuing veterinarian:
(a)
has verified that the pet animal is marked in accordance with Article 17(1); and
(b)
has duly completed the relevant entries of the identification document with the information referred to in points (a) to (h) of Article 25(1), thus certifying compliance with the conditions set out in point (a) of Article 10(1), and where applicable points (b), (c) and (d) of Article 10(1).
Article 27 -
Derogation from the format of the identification document provided for in Article 25(1)
By way of derogation from Article 25(1), Member States shall authorise the non-commercial movement into their territory of pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I accompanied by the identification document issued in accordance with Article 22 where:
(a)
the identification document has been issued in one of the territories or third countries listed pursuant to Article 13(1); or
(b)
such pet animals enter a Member State, after movement to or transit through a territory or a third country from a Member State, and the identification document was completed and issued by an authorised veterinarian certifying that, before leaving the Union, the pet animals:
(i)
received the anti-rabies vaccination provided for in point (b) of Article 10(1); and
(ii)
underwent the rabies antibody titration test provided for in point (c) of Article 10(1), except in the case of the derogation provided for in Article 12.
SECTION 3 - Identification documents for the non-commercial movement into a Member State from another Member State of pet animals of the species listed in Part B of Annex I
Article 28 -
Format and content of the identification document referred to in point (c) of Article 9(2)
1. The Commission may, by means of an implementing act, adopt a model of the identification document referred to in point (c) of Article 9(2) which shall contain entries for the insertion of the following information:
(a)
the characteristics of the mark or the description of the pet animal as provided for in Article 17(2);
(b)
the species and, where relevant, the breed, the date of birth as stated by the owner, sex and colour of the pet animal;
(c)
the name and contact information of the owner;
(d)
the name, contact information and signature of the authorised veterinarian issuing or completing the identification document;
(e)
the signature of the owner;
(f)
details of any preventive health measures for diseases or infections other than rabies;
(g)
other relevant information regarding the health status of the pet animal.
2. The implementing act referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall also lay down requirements concerning the languages, layout, validity or security features of the identification document referred to in that paragraph. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 41(2).
Article 29 -
Issuing and completing the identification document referred to in point (c) of Article 9(2)
1. The identification document referred to in point (c) of Article 9(2) shall be issued by an authorised veterinarian after:
(a)
he has verified that the pet animal is marked or described in accordance with Article 17(2);
(b)
he has duly completed the relevant entries with the information referred to in points (a) to (d) of Article 28(1); and
(c)
the owner has signed the identification document.
2. After verifying that the pet animal is marked or described in accordance with Article 17(2), an authorised veterinarian shall complete the relevant entries of the identification document referred to in point (c) of Article 9(2) with the information referred to in points (d) and (f) of Article 28(1), thus certifying compliance with the conditions set out in point (b) of Article 9(2), where applicable.
SECTION 4 - Identification documents for the non-commercial movement into a Member State from a territory or a third country of pet animals of the species listed in Part B of Annex I
Article 30 -
Format and content of the identification document referred to in point (c) of Article 14(2)
1. The Commission may, by means of an implementing act, adopt a model of the identification document referred to in point (c) of Article 14(2) which shall contain entries for the insertion of the following information:
(a)
the characteristics of the mark or the description of the pet animal as provided for in Article 17(2);
(b)
the species and, where relevant, the breed, date of birth as stated by the owner, sex and colour of the pet animal;
(c)
the name and contact information of the owner or the authorised person;
(d)
the name, contact information and signature of the issuing official or authorised veterinarian;
(e)
a unique certificate reference number;
(f)
details of any preventive health measures for diseases or infections other than rabies;
(g)
the name and the signature of the representative of the endorsing competent authority;
(h)
the name, signature and contact information of the representative of the competent authority carrying out the checks referred to in Article 34 and the date of these checks;
(i)
other relevant information regarding the health status of the pet animal.
2. The implementing act referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall also lay down requirements concerning the languages, layout and validity of the identification document referred to in that paragraph. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 41(2).
3. A written declaration signed by the owner or the authorised person confirming that the movement of the pet animal into the Union is a non-commercial movement shall be part of the identification document referred to in point (c) of Article 14(2).
Article 31 -
Issuing and completing the identification document referred to in point (c) of Article 14(2)
The identification document referred to in point (c) of Article 14(2) shall be issued either by an official veterinarian of the territory or third country of dispatch on the basis of supporting documentation, or by an authorised veterinarian and subsequently endorsed by the competent authority of the territory or third country of dispatch after the issuing veterinarian:
(a)
has verified that the pet animal is marked or described in accordance with Article 17(2); and
(b)
has duly completed the relevant entries of the identification document with the information referred to in points (a) to (f) of Article 30(1), thus certifying compliance with the conditions set out in points (a) and (b) of Article 14(2) where applicable.
CHAPTER VI - COMMON PROVISIONS
SECTION 1 - Derogation for the non-commercial movement of pet animals into Member States
Article 32 -
Derogation from the conditions of Articles 6, 9, 10 and 14
1. By way of derogation from the conditions provided for in Articles 6, 9, 10 and 14, Member States may, in exceptional situations, authorise the non-commercial movement into their territory of pet animals which do not comply with the conditions laid down in those Articles provided that:
(a)
a prior application for a permit has been made by the owner and the Member State of destination has granted such a permit;
(b)
the pet animals are isolated under official supervision for the time necessary for them to fulfil those conditions and not exceeding six months:
(i)
at a place approved by the competent authority; and
(ii)
in accordance with the arrangements set out in the permit.
2. The permit referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1 may include an authorisation for transiting through another Member State provided that the Member State of transit has given its prior agreement to the Member State of destination.
SECTION 2 - General conditions regarding compliance
Article 33
Documentary and identity checks to be carried out in respect of non-commercial movement of pet animals into a Member State from another Member State or a territory or a third country listed pursuant to Article 13(1) and Article 15
1. Without prejudice to Article 16 and in order to verify compliance with Chapter II, Member States shall carry out documentary and identity checks in a non-discriminatory way on pet animals that are subject to non-commercial movement into their territory from another Member State or from a territory or a third country listed pursuant to Article 13(1) and, where applicable, Article 15.
2. At the time of any non-commercial movement into a Member State from another Member State or a territory or a third country listed pursuant to Article 13(1) and, where applicable, Article 15, the owner or the authorised person shall, at the request of the competent authority responsible for the checks provided for in paragraph 1 of this Article:
(a)
present the identification document of the pet animal required under this Regulation which demonstrates compliance with the requirements for such movement; and
(b)
make the pet animal available for those checks.
Article 34
Documentary and identity checks to be carried out in respect of non-commercial movement from a territory or a third country other than those listed pursuant to Article 13(1) or Article 15
1. In order to verify compliance with Chapter III, the competent authority of a Member State shall carry out documentary and identity checks at the travellers’ point of entry on pet animals that are subject to non-commercial movement into that Member State from a territory or a third country other than those listed pursuant to Article 13(1) and, where applicable, Article 15.
2. The owner or the authorised person shall, at the time of entry into a Member State from a territory or a third country other than those listed pursuant to Article 13(1) and, where applicable, Article 15, contact the competent authority present at the point of entry for the purpose of the checks referred to in paragraph 1 and shall:
(a)
present the identification document of the pet animal required under this Regulation which demonstrates compliance with the requirements for such movement; and
(b)
make the pet animal available for those checks.
3. Member States shall draw up and keep up to date a list of travellers’ points of entry.
4. Member States shall ensure that the competent authority that they have designated to carry out the checks provided for in paragraph 1:
(a)
is fully informed of the rules laid down in Chapter III and the officials of the competent authority have the necessary training to implement them;
(b)
keeps records of the total number of checks that have been carried out and of instances of non-compliance revealed during those checks; and
(c)
documents the checks that have been carried out in the relevant entry of the identification document where such documentation is necessary for the purposes of non-commercial movement into other Member States as provided for in Article 24(1).
Article 35 -
Actions in case of non-compliance revealed during the checks provided for in Articles 33 and 34
1. Where the checks provided for in Articles 33 and 34 reveal that a pet animal does not comply with the conditions laid down in Chapters II or III, the competent authority shall decide, after consultation with the official veterinarian and, where necessary, with the owner or the authorised person, to:
(a)
return the pet animal to its country or territory of dispatch;
(b)
isolate the pet animal under official control for the time necessary for it to comply with the conditions laid down in Chapter II or III; or
(c)
as a last resort where its return is not possible or isolation is not practical, put the pet animal down in accordance with applicable national rules relating to the protection of pet animals at the time of killing.
2. Where the non-commercial movement of pet animals into the Union is refused by the competent authority, the pet animals shall be isolated under official control pending:
(a)
either their return to their country or territory of dispatch; or
(b)
the adoption of any other administrative decision concerning those pet animals.
3. The measures referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be applied at the expense of the owner and without the possibility of any financial compensation for the owner or the authorised person.
Article 36 -
Safeguard measures
1. Where rabies or a disease or an infection other than rabies occurs or spreads in a Member State, a territory or a third country, and is liable to represent a serious threat to public or animal health, the Commission may, acting on its own initiative or at the request of a Member State, adopt one of the following measures, by means of an implementing act, without delay and depending on the gravity of the situation:
(a)
suspend the non-commercial movement or transit of pet animals from all or part of the territory of the Member State or territory or third country concerned;
(b)
lay down special conditions in respect of the non-commercial movement of pet animals from all or part of the Member State or territory or third country concerned.
Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 41(2).
2. On duly justified imperative grounds of urgency to contain or address a serious risk to public or animal health, the Commission shall adopt immediately applicable implementing acts in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 41(3).
Article 37 -
Information obligations
1. Member States shall provide the public with clear and easily accessible information concerning the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals and the rules for compliance checks on such movement laid down in this Regulation.
2. The information referred to in paragraph 1 shall in particular include the following:
(a)
the qualifications required for the persons carrying out the implantation of the transponder provided for in Article 18;
(b)
the authorisation to derogate from the anti-rabies vaccination condition for young pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I as provided for in Articles 7 and 11;
(c)
the conditions applicable to the non-commercial movement into the Member States’ territory of pet animals:
(i)
which do not comply with Articles 6, 9, 10 or 14;
(ii)
which come from certain countries and territories under conditions laid down by their national rules as provided for in Article 16;
(d)
the list of travellers’ points of entry drawn up pursuant to Article 34(3), including the competent authority designated to carry out the checks provided for in Article 34(4);
(e)
the conditions applicable to the non-commercial movement into the Member States’ territory of pet animals of the species listed in Part B of Annex I, laid down by their national rules as provided for in Article 9(3) and Article 14(3);
(f)
information on anti-rabies vaccines for which the competent authority of the Member States has granted a marketing authorisation as provided for in point 1(b) of Annex III, and in particular on the corresponding vaccination protocol.
3. Member States shall establish internet-based pages providing the information referred to in paragraph 1 and communicate the internet address of those pages to the Commission.
4. The Commission shall assist the Member States in making that information available to the public by providing on its internet page:
a)
the links to the internet-based information pages of the Member States; and
b)
the information referred to in points (b), (d) and (e) of paragraph (2) of this Article, and the information made available to the public as referred to in point (b) of Article 2(2) in additional languages, as appropriate.
SECTION 3 - Procedural provisions
Article 38 -
Amendments to Annexes
In order to take into account technical progress, scientific developments and the protection of public health or the health of pet animals, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 39 to amend Annexes II to IV.
Article 39 -
Exercise of the delegation
1. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.
2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 5(5), the second subparagraph of Article 17(2), the first subparagraph of Article 19(1) and Article 38 shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of five years from 28 June 2013. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the five-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not later than three months before the end of each period.
3. The delegation of power referred to in Article 5(5), the second subparagraph of Article 17(2), the first subparagraph of Article 19(1) and Article 38 may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.
4. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.
5. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 5(5), the second subparagraph of Article 17(2), the first subparagraph of Article 19(1) and Article 38 shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or the Council.
Article 40 -
Urgency procedure
1. Delegated acts adopted under this Article shall enter into force without delay and shall apply as long as no objection is expressed in accordance with paragraph 2. The notification of a delegated act to the European Parliament and to the Council shall state the reasons for the use of the urgency procedure.
2. Either the European Parliament or the Council may object to a delegated act in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 39(5). In such a case, the Commission shall repeal the act without delay following the notification of the decision to object by the European Parliament or by the Council.
Article 41 -
Committee procedure
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health established by Article 58 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (19). That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.
2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply. Where the opinion of the committee is to be obtained by written procedure, that procedure shall be terminated without result when, within the time-limit for delivery of the opinion, the chair of the committee so decides or a simple majority of committee members so requests.
3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 8 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011, in conjunction with Article 5 thereof, shall apply.
Article 42 -
Penalties
The Member States shall lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of this Regulation and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.
The Member States shall notify those provisions and any subsequent amendments affecting them to the Commission without delay.
CHAPTER VII - TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 43 -
Repeal
1. Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 is hereby repealed, with the exception of Section 2 of Part B and Part C of Annex II, which remain in force until the entry into force of the implementing acts adopted pursuant to Article 13(1) and (2) of this Regulation respectively.
References in this Regulation to the list in the implementing acts adopted pursuant to Article 13(1) or (2) shall be construed as references to the list of third countries and territories set out in Section 2 of Part B and in Part C of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 respectively until the entry into force of those implementing acts.
2. References to the repealed Regulation shall be construed as references to this Regulation and shall be read in accordance with the correlation table in Annex V.
3. The repeal of Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 shall be without prejudice to the maintenance in force of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1152/2011 of 14 July 2011 supplementing Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards preventive health measures for the control of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in dogs (20), which was adopted pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 5(1) of that Regulation.
1. By way of derogation from Article 21(1), the identification document referred to in point (d) of Article 6 shall be deemed to comply with this Regulation where it was:
(a)
drawn up in accordance with the model passport established by Decision 2003/803/EC; and
(b)
issued before 29 December 2014.
2. By way of derogation from Article 25(1) and Article 27(a), the identification document referred to in point (e) of Article 10(1) shall be deemed to comply with this Regulation where it was:
(a)
drawn up in accordance with the model certificate set out in Annex II to Decision 2011/874/EU, or where relevant, the model passport established by Decision 2003/803/EC; and
(b)
issued before 29 December 2014.
Article 45 -
Entry into force and applicability
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
It shall apply from 29 December 2014.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
