Commission Decision of 18 August 2004 amending Annex I to Decision 2003/804/EC authorising certain third countries for the export of live molluscs for further growth, fattening or relaying in Community waters (notified under document number C(2004) 3128) (Text with EEA relevance) (2004/609/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 91/67/EEC of 28 January 1991 concerning the animal health conditions governing the placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products(1), and in particular Article 19(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) A list of third countries from which Member States are authorised to import live molluscs, their eggs and gametes for further growth, fattening, relaying or human consumption in the Community, as well as model certificates that must accompany such consignments were drawn up by Decision 2003/804/EC(2).

(2) Since the entering into force of Directive 91/67/EEC, the animal health requirements for import of aquaculture animals into the Community from third countries have been unchanged. Pending the establishment of harmonised certification requirements, Member States have been responsible for ensuring that imports of aquaculture animals and products thereof from third countries are subjected to conditions at least equivalent to those applying to placing on the market of Community products according to Article 20(3) of Directive 91/67/EEC.

(3) It has been brought to the attention of the Commission that some enterprises in the Community are dependent on access to early live stages of certain species of live molluscs for further growth, fattening or relaying in Community waters, and that there is an ongoing import of these species. The supply of the relevant species amongst EU Member States and European Free Trade Association Member is limited, therefore certain third countries should be authorised for such trade for a interim period of time, pending the completion of the on-the-spot inspections provided for by Community rules. Annex I to Decision 2003/804/EC should be amended accordingly.

(4) Such temporary listing should be limited to countries of which the veterinary services have been assessed and which have been found to provide the necessary guarantees when signing export certificates of live animals, and therefore can be listed without jeopardising the animal health status of the Community.

(5) It is also appropriate to simplify the presentation of the table in Annex I in order to avoid the repetition of requirements included in the model certificates.

(6) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The text in Annex I to Decision 2003/804/EC is replaced by the text in the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 18 August 2004 .

For the Commission

David Byrne

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 46, 19.2.1991, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 806/2003 (OJ L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 1).

(2) OJ L 302, 21.11.2003, p. 22. Decision as last amended by Decision C(2004) 2613 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

ANNEX

?ANNEX I