Commission Regulation (EC) No 425/2005 of 15 March 2005 amending Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the list of countries and territoriesText with EEA relevance
Commission Regulation (EC) No 425/2005of 15 March 2005amending 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)THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,Having regard to 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. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2054/2004 (OJ L 355, 1.12.2004, p. 14)., and in particular Articles 10 and 21 thereof,Whereas:(1)Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 lays down a list of third countries and territories from which movement of pet animals to the Community may be authorised, provided that certain requirements are met.(2)A provisional list of third countries was established by Regulation (EC) No 998/2003, as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 592/2004OJ L 94, 31.3.2004, p. 7.. That list includes countries and territories which are free of rabies and countries in respect of which the risk of rabies entering the Community as a result of movements from their territories has been found to be no higher than the risk associated with movements between Member States.(3)From information supplied by Taiwan, it appears that Taiwan is free of rabies and that the risk of rabies entering the Community as a result of movements of pet animals from Taiwan has been found to be no higher than the risk associated with movements between Member States. Therefore Taiwan should be included in the list of countries and territories set out in Regulation (EC) No 998/2003.(4)In the interest of clarity, that list of countries and territories should be replaced in its entirety.(5)Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 should therefore be amended accordingly.(6)The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: