31978Y1223(01)

Statements on the Directive concerning the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications in veterinary medicine, including measures to facilitate the effective exercise of the right of establishment and freedom to provide services (1)

Council statement on prophylaxis and the inspection of animal foodstuffs and foodstuffs of animal origin

"The Member States undertake to treat nationals of the other Member States as their own nationals with regard to activities in the field of prophylaxis and, therefore, to refrain from invoking the first paragraph of Article 55, provided that such activities are covered by these provisions, in so far as these tasks are assigned to nationals pursuing activities as self-employed or employed veterinary surgeons.

In addition, noting that in the Member States veterinary surgeons who are nationals of a Member State may be authorized by their national authorities to pursue activities in the field of inspection of animal foodstuffs and foodstuffs of animal origin in addition to their other activities, the Member States also undertake in this connection to treat veterinary surgeons who are nationals of the other Member States as their own veterinary surgeons, and consequently to refrain from invoking the first paragraph of Article 55 of the Treaty for the purpose of applying different types of treatment.

By the same token, the Member States also undertake not to invoke Article 48 (4) where self-employed veterinary surgeons thus authorized are regarded as being employed in the public service within the meaning of that Article.

The Member States may, however, make the right to take up these activities conditional upon attendance at an interview in which the veterinary surgeon must prove to the competent authority that he has acquainted himself with the legal provisions applying in the host country in the matter."

(1) OJ No L 362, 23.12.1978, p. 1.