CHAPTER IGeneral provisions

Article 1This Regulation lays down the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals and the rules applying to checks on such movement.

Article 2This Regulation applies to the movement between Member States or from third countries of pet animals of the species listed in Annex I.It shall apply without prejudice to Regulation (EC) No 338/97.Provisions based on considerations other than those relating to animal health requirements, and intended to restrict the movement of certain species or breeds of pet animals, shall not be affected by this Regulation.

Article 3For the purposes of this Regulation:(a)"pet animals" means animals of the species listed in Annex I which are accompanying their owners or a natural person responsible for such animals on behalf of the owner during their movement and are not intended to be sold or transferred to another owner;(b)"passport" means any document enabling the pet animal to be clearly identified and including the points that enable its status with regard to this Regulation to be checked, which is to be drawn up in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 17;(c)"movement" means any movement of a pet animal between Member States or its entry or re-entry into the territory of the Community from a third country.

Article 41.During an eight-year transitional period starting from the entry into force of this Regulation, animals of the species listed in parts A and B of Annex I shall be regarded as identified where they bear:(a)either a clearly readable tattoo; or(b)an electronic identification system (transponder).In the case referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph, where the transponder does not comply with the requirements set out in Annex Ia, the owner or the natural person responsible for the pet animal on behalf of the owner must provide the means necessary for reading the transponder at the time of any inspection.2.Whatever form the animal identification system takes, provision shall also be made for the indication of details identifying the name and address of the animal's owner.3.Member States which require animals entering their territory, otherwise than into quarantine, to be identified in accordance with point (b) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 may continue to do so during the transitional period.4.After the transitional period, only the method referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 shall be accepted as the means of identifying an animal.

CHAPTER IIProvisions applicable to movement between Member States

Article 51.When being moved, pet animals of the species listed in parts A and B of Annex I must, without prejudice to the requirements laid down in Article 6:(a)be identified in accordance with Article 4, and(b)be accompanied by a passport issued by a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority certifying that:(i)a valid anti-rabies vaccination was carried out on the animal in question pursuant to Annex Ib,(ii)where necessary, preventive health measures regarding other diseases were carried out on the animal in question.In order to ensure the control of diseases other than rabies, likely to spread due to the movement of pet animals, the Commission may adopt, by means of delegated acts in accordance with Article 19b and subject to the conditions of Articles 19c and 19d, the preventive health measures referred to in point (b)(ii) of the first subparagraph. Those measures shall be scientifically justified and shall be proportionate to the risk of spreading those diseases due to such movement.2.Member States may authorise the movement of animals listed in parts A and B of Annex I which are under three months old and unvaccinated, if they are accompanied by a passport and have stayed in the place in which they were born since birth without contact with wild animals likely to have been exposed to the infection or are accompanied by their mothers on whom they are still dependent.

Article 61.Until 31 December 2011, the entry of the pet animals listed in Part A of Annex I into the territory of Ireland, Malta, Sweden and the United Kingdom shall be subject to the following requirements:they must be identified in accordance with point (b) of the first subparagraph of Article 4(1), unless, until the end of the eight-year transitional period provided for in Article 4(1), the Member State of destination also recognises identification in accordance with point (a) of the first subparagraph of Article 4(1), andthey must be accompanied by a passport issued by a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority certifying, in addition to the conditions laid down in Article 5(1)(b), a neutralising antibody titration at least equal to 0,5 IU/ml carried out in an approved laboratory on a sample within the periods laid down in national rules in force on the date specified in the second paragraph of Article 25.This antibody titration need not be repeated on an animal which, following that titration, has been regularly revaccinated at the intervals laid down in Article 5(1) without a break in the vaccination protocol required by the manufacturing laboratory.The Member State of destination may exempt pet animals moving between these four Member States from the vaccination and antibody titration requirements provided for in the first subparagraph of this paragraph, in accordance with national rules in force on the date specified in the second paragraph of Article 25.2.Except where the competent authority grants a derogation in specific cases, animals under three months old of the species listed in part A of Annex I may not be moved before they have reached the required age for vaccination and, where provided for in the rules, they have undergone a test to determine antibody titration.3.The transitional period laid down in paragraph 1 may be extended by the European Parliament and the Council, acting on a proposal from the Commission in accordance with the Treaty.

Article 7Movement between Member States or from a territory listed in section 2 of Part B of Annex II of animals of the species listed in part C of Annex I shall not be subject to any requirement with regard to rabies. The Commission shall draw up, if necessary, specific requirements, including a possible limit on the number of animals, in respect of other diseases. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 24(4). A model certificate to accompany such animals may be drawn up in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 24(2).

CHAPTER IIIConditions relating to movements from third countries

Article 81.At the time of movement, pet animals of the species listed in parts A and B of Annex I shall:(a)when they come from a third country listed in section 2 of part B and in part C of Annex II, and enter:(i)one of the Member States listed in section 1 of part B of Annex II, satisfy the requirements of Article 5(1);(ii)until 31 December 2011, one of the Member States listed in part A of Annex II, either directly or after transit through one of the territories listed in part B of Annex II, satisfy the requirements of Article 6;(b)when they come from another third country and enter:(i)one of the Member States listed in section 1 of part B of Annex II:be identified by means of the identification system defined in Article 4, andhave undergone:anti-rabies vaccination in accordance with the requirements of Article 5, anda neutralising antibody titration at least equal to 0,5 IU/ml carried out on a sample taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after vaccination and three months before being moved.The antibody titration need not be renewed on a pet animal which has been revaccinated at the intervals laid down in Article 5(1).This three-month period shall not apply to the re-entry of a pet animal whose passport certifies that the titration was carried out, with a positive result, before the animal left the territory of the Community;(ii)until 31 December 2011, one of the Member States listed in part A of Annex II, either directly or after transit through one of the territories listed in part B of Annex II, be placed in quarantine unless they have been brought into conformity with the requirements of Article 6 after their entry into the Union.2.Pet animals must be accompanied by a certificate issued by an official veterinarian or, on re-entry, by a passport certifying compliance with the provisions of paragraph 1.3.Notwithstanding the above provisions:(a)pet animals from the territories listed in section 2 of part B of Annex II for which it has been established, under the procedure laid down in Article 24(2), that such territories apply rules at least equivalent to Community rules as provided for in this Chapter, shall be subject to the rules laid down in Chapter II;(b)the movement of pet animals between, respectively, San Marino, the Vatican and Italy, Monaco and France, Andorra and France or Spain, and Norway and Sweden may continue under the conditions laid down by national rules in force on the date laid down in the second paragraph of Article 25;(c)in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 24(2) and on conditions to be determined, the entry of unvaccinated pet animals under three months old of the species listed in part A of Annex I from the third countries listed in parts B and C of Annex II may be authorised where the rabies situation in the country concerned so warrants.4.The arrangements for implementing this Article, and in particular the model certificate, shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 24(2).

Article 9The conditions applicable to the movement of animals of the species listed in Part C of Annex I from third countries shall be adopted by the Commission. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 24(4). The model certificate which must accompany the movement of animals shall be drawn up in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 24(2).

Article 10The list of third countries provided for in part C of Annex II shall be drawn up by the Commission. To be included on that list, a third country must first demonstrate its status with regard to rabies and that:(a)notification to the authorities of the suspicion of rabies is obligatory;(b)an efficient monitoring system has been in place for at least two years;(c)the structure and organisation of its veterinary services are sufficient to guarantee the validity of the certificates;(d)all the regulatory measures for the prevention and control of rabies have been implemented, including the rules on imports;(e)regulations are in force on the marketing of anti-rabies vaccines (list of authorised vaccines and laboratories).Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 24(5).

Article 11Member States shall provide the public with clear and easily accessible information concerning the health requirements that apply for the non-commercial movement of pets in Community territory and the conditions under which they may enter or re-enter such territory. They shall also ensure that personnel at entry points are fully informed of these rules and are able to implement them.

Article 12Member States shall take the measures necessary to ensure that pet animals brought into Community territory from a third country other than those listed in section 2 of part B of Annex II are subject:(a)if there are five pet animals or less, to documentary and identity checks by the competent authorities at the travellers' point of entry into Community territory;(b)if there are more than five pet animals, to the requirements and checks laid down in Directive 92/65/EEC.Member States shall designate the authorities responsible for such checks and immediately inform the Commission thereof.

Article 13Each Member State shall draw up a list of points of entry as referred to in Article 12 and forward it to the other Member States and to the Commission.

Article 14At the time of any movement, the owner or natural person responsible for the pet animal must be able to present the authorities responsible for checks with a passport or the certificate provided for in Article 8(2) certifying that the animal meets the requirements laid down for such movement.In the case referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph of Article 4(1), where the transponder does not comply with the requirements set out in Annex Ia, the owner or the natural person responsible for the pet animal on behalf of the owner must provide the means necessary for reading the transponder at the time of any inspection.Where such checks reveal that the animal does not meet the requirements laid down in this Regulation, the competent authorities shall decide in consultation with the official veterinarian:(a)to return the animal to its country of origin;(b)to isolate the animal under official control for the time necessary for it to meet the health requirements, at the expense of the owner or the natural person responsible for it; or(c)as a last resort, to put the animal down, without financial compensation, where its return or isolation in quarantine cannot be envisaged.Member States shall ensure that animals which are refused authorisation to enter Community territory are housed under official control pending return to their country of origin or any other administrative decision.

CHAPTER IVCommon and final provisions

Article 15Where the requirements applicable to movement provide for an antibody titration for rabies, the sample must be taken by an authorised veterinarian and the test must be carried out by a laboratory approved in accordance with Council Decision 2000/258/EC of 20 March 2000 designating a specific institute responsible for establishing the criteria necessary for standardising the serological tests to monitor the effectiveness of rabies vaccinesOJ L 79, 30.3.2000, p. 40..

Article 16Until 31 December 2011, Finland, Ireland, Malta, Sweden and the United Kingdom, as regards echinococcosis, and Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom, as regards ticks, may make the entry of pet animals into their territory subject to compliance with the special rules applicable on the date of entry into force of this Regulation.

Article 17For the movement of animals of the species listed in Parts A and B of Annex I, requirements of a technical nature other than those laid down by this Regulation may be adopted by the Commission. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 24(4).The model passports which must accompany animals of the species listed in parts A and B of Annex I which are being moved shall be drawn up in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 24(2).

Article 18The safeguard measures provided for by Council Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products with a view to the completion of the internal marketOJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 29. Directive as last amended by Directive 92/118/EEC (OJ L 62, 15.3.1993, p. 49)., and Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries and amending Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675/EECOJ L 268, 24.9.1991, p. 56. Directive as last amended by Directive 96/43/EC (OJ L 162, 1.7.1996, p. 1)., shall apply.In particular, at the request of a Member State or on the initiative of the Commission, where the rabies situation in a Member State or a third country so warrants, a decision may be taken, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 24(3), that animals of the species listed in parts A and B of Annex I coming from that territory must meet the conditions laid down in Article 8(1)(b).

Article 19Part C of Annex I and parts B and C of Annex II may be amended by the Commission to take account of developments in the situation within the Community or in third countries as regards diseases affecting the species of animals covered by this Regulation, in particular rabies, and, if need be, limit, for the purposes of this Regulation, the number of animals which can be moved. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 24(4).

Article 19a1.In order to take account of technical progress, the Commission may adopt, by means of delegated acts in accordance with Article 19b and subject to the conditions of Articles 19c and 19d, amendments to the technical requirements for the identification as laid down in Annex Ia.2.In order to take account of scientific and technical developments regarding anti-rabies vaccination, the Commission may adopt, by means of delegated acts in accordance with Article 19b and subject to the conditions of Articles 19c and 19d, amendments to the technical requirements for the anti-rabies vaccination as laid down in Annex Ib.3.When adopting such delegated acts, the Commission shall act in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation.

Article 19b1.The power to adopt the delegated acts referred to in Article 5(1) and Article 19a shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of 5 years following 18 June 2010. The Commission shall make a report in respect of the delegated powers not later than 6 months before the end of the 5 year period. The delegation of powers shall be automatically extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council revokes it in accordance with Article 19c.2.As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.3.The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in Articles 19c and 19d.

Article 19c1.The delegation of powers referred to in Article 5(1) and Article 19a may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council.2.The institution which has commenced an internal procedure for deciding whether to revoke the delegation of powers shall endeavour to inform the other institution and the Commission within a reasonable time before the final decision is taken, indicating the delegated powers which could be subject to revocation and possible reasons for a revocation.3.The decision of revocation shall put an end to the delegation of the powers specified in that decision. It shall take effect immediately or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of the delegated acts already in force. It shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 19d1.The European Parliament or the Council may object to a delegated act within a period of two months from the date of notification.At the initiative of the European Parliament or the Council this period shall be extended by two months.2.If, on expiry of that period, neither the European Parliament nor the Council has objected to the delegated act, it shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and shall enter into force on the date stated therein.The delegated act may be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and enter into force before the expiry of that period if the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission of their intention not to raise objections.3.If the European Parliament or the Council objects to a delegated act, it shall not enter into force. The institution which objects shall state the reasons for objecting to the delegated act.

Article 20Any implementing measure of a technical nature shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 24(2).

Article 21Any transitional provisions may be adopted by the Commission to permit the changeover from the current arrangements to the arrangements established by this Regulation. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 24(4).

Article 22Directive 92/65/EEC shall be amended as follows:1.in Article 10:(a)in paragraph 1 the word "ferrets" shall be deleted;(b)paragraphs 2 and 3 shall be replaced by the following:"2.To be the subject of trade, dogs, cats and ferrets must satisfy the requirements set out in Articles 5 and 16 of Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals and amending Council Directive 92/65/EECOJ L 146, 13.6.2003, p. 1.".The certificate accompanying the animals must also confirm that, 24 hours before dispatch of the animals, a clinical examination was carried out by a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority showing the animals to be in good health and able to withstand carriage to their destination.3.By way of derogation from paragraph 2, when trade is to Ireland, the United Kingdom or Sweden, dogs, cats and ferrets shall be subject to the conditions set out in Articles 6 and 16 of Regulation (EC) No 998/2003.The certificate accompanying the animals must also confirm that, 24 hours before dispatch of the animals, a clinical examination was carried out by a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority showing the animals to be in good health and able to withstand carriage to their destination.

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OJ L 146, 13.6.2003, p. 1."(c)in paragraph 4 the following shall be added after "carnivores":"with the exception of the species referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3";(d)paragraph 8 shall be deleted.2.the following subparagraphs shall be added to Article 16:"With respect to cats, dogs and ferrets, import conditions must be at least equivalent to those of Chapter III of Regulation (EC) No 998/2003.The certificate accompanying the animals must also confirm that, 24 hours before dispatch of the animals, a clinical examination was carried out by a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority showing the animals to be in good health and able to withstand carriage to their destination."

Article 23Before 1 February 2007 the Commission, after receipt of the opinion of the European Food Safety Authority on the need to maintain the serological test, shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council a report, based on experience gained and on a risk evaluation, together with appropriate proposals for determining the regime to be applied with effect from 1 July 2010 for Articles 6, 8 and 16.

Article 241.The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee.2.Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.The period referred to in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be three months.3.Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.The period referred to in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be 15 days.4.Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5a(1) to (4) and Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.5.Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5a(1) to (4) and (5)(b) and Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.The periods laid down in Article 5a(3)(c), (4)(b) and (4)(e) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at two months, one month and two months respectively.

Article 25This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day after that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.It shall apply from 3 July 2004.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.ANNEX ISPECIES OF ANIMALSPART ADogsCatsPART BFerretsPART CInvertebrates (except bees and crustaceans), ornamental tropical fish, amphibia, reptiles.Birds: all species (except poultry covered by Council Directives 90/539/EECCouncil Directive 90/539/EEC of15 October 1990 on animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade in, and imports from third countries of, poultry and hatching eggs (OJ L 303, 31.10.1990, p. 6). Directive as last amended by Commission Decision 2001/867/EC (OJ L 323, 7.12.2001, p. 29). and 92/65/EEC).Mammals: rodents and domestic rabbits.ANNEX IaTechnical requirements for the identificationFor the purposes of Article 4(1), the standard electronic identification system shall be a read-only passive radio frequency identification device ("transponder"):1.complying with ISO Standard 11784 and applying HDX or FDX-B technology;2.capable of being read by a reading device compatible with ISO Standard 11785.ANNEX IbTechnical requirements for the anti-rabies vaccination (Referred to in Article 5(1)(b)(i))For the purposes of Article 5(1), an anti-rabies vaccination shall be considered valid provided that the following requirements are complied with:1.The anti-rabies vaccine must:(a)be a vaccine other than a live modified vaccine and fall within one of the following categories:(i)an inactivated vaccine of at least one antigenic unit per dose (WHO standard); or(ii)a recombinant vaccine expressing the immunising glycoprotein of the rabies virus in a live virus vector;(b)if administered in a Member State, have been granted a marketing authorisation in accordance with:(i)Directive 2001/82/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to veterinary medicinal productsOJ L 311, 28.11.2001, p. 1.; or(ii)Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 laying down Community procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human and veterinary use and establishing a European Medicines AgencyOJ L 136, 30.4.2004, p. 1.;(c)if administered in a third country, meet at least the requirements laid down in Part C of Chapter 2.1.13 of the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals, 2008 Edition, of the World Organisation for Animal Health.2.An anti-rabies vaccination may only be considered valid if it meets the following conditions:(a)the vaccine was administered on a date indicated in:(i)Section IV of the passport; or(ii)the appropriate section of the accompanying animal health certificate;(b)the date referred to in point (a) must not precede the date of microchipping or tattooing indicated in:(i)Section III(2) or III(5) of the passport; or(ii)the appropriate section of the accompanying animal health certificate;(c)at least 21 days must have elapsed since the completion of the vaccination protocol required by the manufacturer for the primary vaccination in accordance with the technical specification of the marketing authorisation referred to in point 1(b) for the anti-rabies vaccine in the Member State or third country in which the vaccination is administered;(d)the period of validity of the vaccination, as prescribed in the technical specification of the marketing authorisation for the anti-rabies vaccine in the Member State or third country where the vaccine is administered, must have been entered by the authorised veterinarian in:(i)Section IV of the passport; or(ii)the appropriate section of the accompanying animal health certificate;(e)a revaccination (booster) must be considered a primary vaccination if it was not carried out within the period of validity referred to in point (d) of a previous vaccination.ANNEX IILIST OF COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIESPART AIEIrelandMTMaltaSESwedenUKUnited KingdomPART BSection 1(a)DKDenmark, including GL — Greenland and FO — Faeroe Islands;(b)ESSpain, including the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla;(c)FRFrance, including GF — French Guiana, GP — Guadeloupe, MQ — Martinique and RE — Réunion;(d)GIGibraltar;(e)PTPortugal, including the Azores Islands and Madeira Islands;(f)Member States other than those listed in Part A and points (a), (b), (c) and (e) of this Section.Section 2ADAndorraCHSwitzerlandHRCroatiaISIcelandLILiechtensteinMCMonacoNONorwaySMSan MarinoVAVatican City StatePART CACAscension IslandAEUnited Arab EmiratesAGAntigua and BarbudaANNetherlands AntillesARArgentinaAUAustraliaAWArubaBABosnia and HerzegovinaBBBarbadosBGBulgariaBHBahrainBMBermudaBYBelarusCACanadaCLChileFJFijiFKFalkland IslandsHKHong KongHRCroatiaJMJamaicaJPJapanKNSaint Kitts and NevisKYCayman IslandsLCSaint LuciaMKthe former Yugoslav Republic of MacedoniaMSMontserratMUMauritiusMXMexicoMYMalaysiaNCNew CaledoniaNZNew ZealandPFFrench PolynesiaPMSaint Pierre and MiquelonRORomaniaRURussian FederationSGSingaporeSHSaint HelenaTTTrinidad and TobagoTWTaiwanUSUnited States of America (including AS — American Samoa, GU — Guam, MP — Northern Mariana Islands, PR — Puerto Rico and VI — US Virgin Islands)VCSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesVGBritish Virgin IslandsVUVanuatuWFWallis and FutunaYTMayotte

Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals and amending Council Directive 92/65/EEC

Modified by

Commission Regulation (EC) No 590/2006 of 12 April 2006 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the list of countries and territories (Text with EEA relevance)