(1)

Regulation (EU) 2016/429 lays down rules for the prevention and control of animal diseases that are transmissible to animals or to humans, including among other things, the animal health requirements applicable to non-commercial movements of pet animals into a Member State from a third country or territory.

(2)

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 (2) supplements Regulation (EU) 2016/429 as regards animal health requirements for non-commercial movements of pet animals. Article 17(1), point (b), of that Delegated Regulation provides that pet dogs, pet cats or pet ferrets may be moved for non-commercial purposes into the Union without having undergone an antibody titration test provided that the animals are moved from a third country or territory which has demonstrated, in an application to the Commission, that it fulfils at least the specific criteria relating to rabies, laid down in that provision.

(3)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 (3) establishes, in Annex II thereto, the list of third countries or territories referred to in Article 17(1), point (b), of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131.

(4)

Montenegro and Serbia have both submitted an application on their status with regard to rabies, as well as information concerning compliance with the criteria laid down in Article 17(1), point (b), of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131. From the assessment of these applications, it can be concluded that Montenegro and Serbia comply with the relevant criteria laid down in that Delegated Regulation and should therefore be included in the list set out in Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636.

(5)

Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(6)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,