LEGISLATIVE ACT: Commission Decision 2004/539/EC establishing a transitional measure for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals.
CONTENT: despite measures which have been adopted to ease the transition from the existing conditions to those established by Regulation (EC) No 998/2003, its implementation requires in particular the availability of the passport document in all veterinary offices, the issuing of new models of import certificates for the entry of animals from third countries, and post-vaccination testing for animals from third countries not listed in Part C of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 998/2003. It is therefore advisable to maintain as necessary the application of the national conditions currently in force for a sufficient period of time. Accordingly, the derogation from Commission Decisions 2003/803/EC and 2004/203/EC, provided for in Decision 2004/301/EC, as regards the format for certificates and passports to be used for the non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets, should be postponed. Member States may therefore allow entry into their territory until 1 October 2004 of pet animals of the species listed in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 98/2003 in conformity with national rules that were in force before 3 July 2004.