THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 90/426/EEC of 26 June 1990 on animal health conditions governing the movement and import from third countries of equidae ( 1 ), as last amended by Directive 92/361/EEC ( 2 ), and in particular Article 15 point (a), Articles 16 and 18 thereof;

Having regard to Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries and amending Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675/EEC ( 3 ), as last amended by Decision 92/438/EEC ( 4 ), and in particular Article 4 thereof,

Whereas by Council Decision 79/542/EEC ( 5 ), as last amended by Commission Decision 93/100/EEC ( 6 ), the list of third countries from which the Member States authorize imports of equidae in particular has been established;

Whereas it is also necessary to take into account the regionalization of certain third countries appearing on the abovementioned list, which is the subject of Commission Decision 92/160/EEC ( 7 ), as amended by Decision 92/161/EEC ( 8 );

Whereas the responsible national veterinary authorities have undertaken to notify the Commission and the Member States, by telegram, telex or telefax, within 24 hours of the confirmation of the occurrence of any infectious or contagious disease in equidae of lists A and B of the International Office of Epizootic Diseases or of the adoption of vaccination against any of them or, within an appropriate period, of any changes in the national import rules concerning equidae;

Whereas the conditions to be established for imports of equidae for slaughter apply without prejudice to the requirements of Council Directive 86/469/EEC ( 9 ) that no thyreostatic, estrogenic, androgenic or gestagenic substances are used for fattening purposes in equidae;

Whereas the certification for a consignment of equidae for slaughter has been provided for, provided the animals are properly marked and identified; whereas therefore it is necessary to establish a clear and indelible mark for equidae for slaughter;

Whereas the different categories of equidae have their own features and their imports are authorized for different purposes; whereas, consequently different health requirements must be established for equidae for slaughter being sent directly to the slaughterhouse of destination and, for equidae for slaughter, passing through a market or a marshalling centre;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: