EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY DECISION

No 311/13/COL

of 17 July 2013

amending the list contained in point 39 of Part 1.2 of Chapter I of Annex I to the Agreement on the European Economic Area listing border inspection posts in Iceland and Norway agreed for veterinary checks on live animals and animal products from third countries and repealing EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 131/13/COL (1)

THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY,

Having regard to points 4(B)(1) and (3) and point 5(b) of the Introductory Part of Chapter I of Annex I to the EEA Agreement,

Having regard to the Act referred to at point 4 of Part 1.1 of Chapter I of Annex I to the EEA Agreement (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) (2), as amended and adapted to the EEA Agreement by the sectoral adaptations referred to in Annex I to that Agreement, and in particular to Article 6(2) thereof,

Having regard to College Decision No 295/13/COL empowering the competent College Member to adopt this decision,

Whereas:

By a letter of 6 June 2013, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (hereinafter NFSA) informed the Authority that it had made changes to the Norwegian list of Border Inspection Posts (BIPs). These changes follow certain recommendations made by the Authority during an inspection on import controls carried out by the Authority to Norway from 21 to 30 January 2013 and, in particular, the necessity to have adequate equipment and facilities to handle products for which the BIPs are approved (3).

In reply to this recommendation and to bring its import control system in line with EEA requirements, the NFSA has decided to modify the listing of categories for which the following BIPs are approved:

The NFSA asked the Authority to change the list of approved border inspection posts as follows.

It is therefore the Authority‘檚 obligation to amend the list of border inspection posts in Iceland and Norway and to publish a new list to reflect changes in the national lists.

The Authority, by its decision 295/13/COL of 10 July 2013, referred the matter to the EFTA Veterinary Committee assisting the EFTA Surveillance Authority. The Committee approved unanimously the proposed modification to the list. Consequently, the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the unanimous opinion of the EFTA Veterinary Committee assisting the EFTA Surveillance Authority and the final text of the measures remains unchanged.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The categories of products for which BIPS Oslo Airport, Oslo Port and Borg Port are approved are modified in the list contained in point 39 of Part 1.2 of Chapter I of Annex I to the Agreement on the European Economic Area. The BIPs are now approved for packed products only.

Article 2

Veterinary checks on live animals and animal products brought into Iceland and Norway from third countries shall be carried out by the competent national authorities at the agreed border inspection posts listed in the Annex to this Decision.

Article 3

The EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 131/13/COL of 18 March 2013 is hereby repealed.

Article 4

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its signature.

Article 5

This Decision is addressed to Iceland and Norway.

Article 6

This Decision shall be authentic in the English language.

(1) OJ L 175, 27.6.2013, p. 76 and EEA Supplement No 36, 27.6.2013, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 24, 30.1.1998, p. 9.

(3) See final report of 3 May 2013 by the Authority concerning the mission to Norway from 21 to 30 January 2013 regarding the application of EEA legislation related to import/transit control systems and border inspection posts.