(1)

On 18 January 2016, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2016/44.

(2)

On the basis of a review by the Council, the entry for one listed person should be deleted.

(3)

Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2016/44 should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 lays down the animal health requirements applicable to non-commercial movements of pet animals, including birds referred to in Part B of Annex I thereto (pet birds), and it provides that preventive health measures may be adopted by means of delegated acts for the protection of animal and public health from diseases or infections that are likely to be spread due to non-commercial movements of pet birds into a Member State from a territory or third country.

(2)

Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 also provides that the preventive health measures are to be based on adequate, reliable and validated scientific information and are to be applied proportionately to the risk to public or animal health of the spread of those diseases or infections via cross-border movements of pet birds.

(3)

In the interests of simplicity and transparency of Union rules, as well as to facilitate the application of those rules and avoid duplication, the rules for non-commercial movements of pet birds into a Member State from a territory or third country should be laid down in a single act rather than in a number of cross-referenced separate acts. This approach is also in line with the current approach in the area of Union legislation on animal health, such as that adopted in Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2), which favours the streamlining of Union rules to facilitate their application and reduce the administrative burden.

(4)

Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease of birds which can have a negative impact on animal and public health. In particular, infections with avian influenza viruses in domestic poultry cause two main forms of that disease that are distinguished by their virulence. The low pathogenic form generally only causes mild symptoms, while the highly pathogenic form results in very high mortality rates in most poultry species. Therefore, that disease may have a severe impact on the profitability of poultry farming. Furthermore, although avian influenza is mainly found in birds, under certain circumstances infections can also occur in humans even though the risk is generally very low.

(5)

Following the first occurrence, in 2005, of a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) of subtype H5N1, in a captive bird introduced into the Union, Commission Decision 2005/759/EC (3) laid down protection measures aimed at preventing the introduction and spread of the HPAI virus through movements into the Union of pet birds accompanying their owners. Decision 2005/759/EC was repealed and replaced by Commission Decision 2007/25/EC (4) due to the continuing risks to animal health posed by such movements. Decision 2007/25/EC was further amended due to changes in the epidemiological situation in the Union and its date of application was prolonged several times, the last time by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/2107 (5). Decision 2007/25/EC will now elapse on 31 December 2021.

(6)

However, since the global threat of avian influenza has increased in recent years, and the epidemiological situation is not expected to improve in the near future, it is appropriate to establish permanent protection measures within the framework of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013, in order to ensure that non-commercial movements of pet birds into the Union do not pose a risk for the introduction and spread of the avian influenza virus.

(7)

Certain territories and third countries apply animal health rules for the non-commercial movement into their territory of pet birds, which are equivalent to the rules laid down in this Regulation. Therefore, the non-commercial movements of pet birds from those territories and third countries into the Union can be considered to present a minimal animal health risk to the Union, and the rules for non-commercial movements of pet birds laid down in this Regulation should not apply to the non-commercial movements into the Union of pet birds from those particular territories and third countries.

(8)

In order to prevent commercial movements of birds into the Union being fraudulently disguised as non-commercial movements, the maximum number of pet birds that may accompany their owner or an authorised person should be limited to five pet birds in a single non-commercial movement. As a higher number of birds represents a higher risk for the introduction and spread of the avian influenza virus, movements into the Union of more than five pet birds should not be regarded as a single non-commercial movement of pet birds, and such movements should not fall within the scope of the rules laid down in this act. Instead, such movements should continue to be carried out in accordance with the requirements for the entry into the Union of captive birds laid down in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 (6), and also be subject to official controls at border control posts as laid down in Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council (7).

(9)

In addition, this act should lay down rules concerning the means to identify pet birds to be moved into a Member State from a territory or third country, in order to ensure that a link between the pet bird and the corresponding identification document can be made.

(10)

In its scientific opinion on avian influenza, first published on 16 October 2017 (8), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) considered the animal health requirements laid down in Decision 2007/25/EC to be effective in mitigating the risks of the introduction into the Union of the avian influenza virus via non-commercial movements of pet birds into Member States from territories or third countries. Therefore, the animal health requirements laid down in that Decision should be used as the basis for the requirements laid down in this Regulation.

(11)

The preventive health measures for non-commercial movements of pet birds into the Union should provide for several options of requirements for their entry, including isolation, either prior to such non-commercial movements or at the place of destination, and also pre-movement testing for the H5 and H7 sub-types of the HPAI virus and vaccination against H5 and H7 sub-types of the HPAI virus.

(12)

However, the option of isolation prior to the non-commercial movement into the Union should only be allowed for pet birds originating in territories or third countries which have been assessed for avian influenza and other diseases relevant for the avian species. Therefore, this option should be limited to the third countries or territories listed in the table set out in Part 1 of Annex V, Annex XIV or Annex XIX to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 (9) for the entry into the Union of poultry and germinal products of poultry, fresh meat of poultry and game birds, or eggs and egg products, respectively.

(13)

Furthermore, as regards the option of isolation of pet birds at the place of destination, this should only be carried out in an establishment that can guarantee the animal health status of the animals. It should, therefore, be required that under this option, pet birds are to be placed in a quarantine establishment approved in accordance with Article 14 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035 (10).

(14)

To further mitigate the risks of the spread of the avian influenza virus into the Union via non-commercial movements of pet birds from territories or third countries, it should be prohibited to enter those pet birds in shows, fairs, exhibitions or other gatherings of birds for an appropriate period of time following their entry into the Union. It should, therefore, be required that during that period of time pet birds are isolated under official control, in accordance with the official control provided for in Article 35(1), point (b) of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013.

(15)

Compliance with the requirements laid down in this Regulation should be certified by an official veterinarian of the territory or third country of dispatch or alternatively by an authorised veterinarian and subsequently endorsed by the competent authority of the territory or third country of dispatch, in accordance with the veterinary certificate laid down in the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1938 (11), which is to be applied in tandem with the rules laid down in this Regulation.

(16)

In order to avoid a legal gap in the rules for the non-commercial movement of pet birds into a Member State from territories or third countries, this Regulation should apply from 1 January 2022, as the rules laid down herein replace a number of the rules currently laid down in Decision 2007/25/EC, which applies until 31 December 2021,

(1)

Article 60 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 lays down rules for the determination of the non-preferential origin of goods. In accordance with paragraph 1 of that Article, goods wholly obtained in a single country or territory are to be regarded as having their origin in that country or territory. In order to clarify how to determine the non-preferential origin of vegetable products that are to be considered as wholly obtained in a single country or territory, it is necessary to amend Article 31, point (b), of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 (2) to specify that the vegetable products must not only have been harvested, but also grown only in the relevant country or territory.

(2)

In order to align the determination of the non-preferential origin of products for which the processing or working operations are not economically justified, covered or not by Annex 22-01 to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446, it is necessary to amend the third paragraph of Article 33 of that Regulation, to specify that the criterion concerning the determination of the major portion of the materials used should be based on the weight or on the value of the said materials. The specification should be done per Chapter of the Nomenclature of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, adopted by the Organization set-up by the Convention establishing a Customs Cooperation Council, done at Brussels on 15 December 1950 (Harmonized System).

(3)

In accordance with Article 34 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446, minimal operations are not considered as substantial, economically justified processing or working for the purposes of conferring non-preferential origin. Therefore, in cases where the last transformation of the goods consists of a minimal operation, it is necessary to establish a method allowing the determination of the non-preferential origin of the goods concerned. Article 34 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 should be supplemented to set out that such goods should be considered to have undergone their last substantial working or processing in the country or territory where the major portion of the materials originated, based on either the weight or the value of the materials, as appropriate per Chapter of the Harmonized System.

(4)

According to Article 35(2) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446, essential spare parts for use with goods listed in specific Sections of the Combined Nomenclature previously released for free circulation in the Union are to be deemed to have the same origin as those goods if the incorporation of the essential spare parts at the production stage would not have changed their origin. For the sake of consistency, the definition of ‘essential spare parts’ in Article 35(3) of that Regulation should be amended to remove the reference to goods previously exported in point (a) of that provision.

(5)

Annex 22-01 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 sets out specific rules for determining the country where certain goods have undergone their last substantial transformation within the meaning of Article 32 of that Regulation. The rules provided in that Annex are to be applied to goods listed there on the basis of their classification in the Harmonized System. Since the Harmonized System has been amended in its 2022 version, Annex 22-01 should be updated accordingly.

(6)

Annex 22-03 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 lays down the conditions for products to be considered as originating in beneficiary countries for the purpose of the Generalised System of Preferences (‘GSP’). The rules provided in that Annex are to be applied to those products in particular on the basis of their classification in the Harmonized System. Since the Harmonized System has been amended in its 2022 version, Annex 22-03 should be updated accordingly.

(7)

Annex 22-04 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 lists the materials excluded from regional cumulation in the context of the GSP. The rules provided in that Annex are to be applied to those materials in particular on the basis of their classification in the Harmonized System. Since the Harmonized System has been amended in its 2022 version, Annex 22-04 should be updated accordingly.

(8)

The Harmonized System’s version of 2022 will only apply from 1 January 2022, and therefore the amendments to Annexes 22.01, 22.03 and 22.04 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 stemming from the Harmonized System’s 2022 version should apply from 1 January 2022.

(9)

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

in Article 31, point (b) is replaced by the following:

(2)

in Article 33, the third paragraph is replaced by the following:

‘For goods not covered by Annex 22-01, where the last working or processing is deemed not to be economically justified, the goods shall be considered to have undergone their last substantial, economically justified processing or working, resulting in the manufacture of a new product or representing an important stage of manufacture, in the country or territory where the major portion of the materials originated. Where the final product is to be classified under Chapters 1 to 29 or 31 to 40 of the Harmonized System, the major portion of the materials shall be determined on the basis of the weight of the materials. Where the final product is to be classified under Chapters 30 or 41 to 97 of the Harmonized System, the major portion of the materials shall be determined on the basis of the value of the materials.’;

(3)

in Article 34, the following subparagraph is added:

‘For goods covered by Annex 22-01, the Chapter residual rules for those goods shall apply. For goods not covered by Annex 22-01, where the last working or processing is deemed to be a minimal operation, the origin of the final product is the country or territory where the major portion of the materials originated. Where the final product is to be classified under Chapters 1 to 29, or 31 to 40 of the Harmonized System, the major portion of the materials shall be determined on the basis of the weight of the materials. Where the final product is to be classified under Chapters 30 or 41 to 97 of the Harmonized System, the major portion of the materials shall be determined on the basis of the value of the materials.’;

(4)

in Article 35(3), point (a) is replaced by the following:

(5)

Annex 22-01 is amended as set out in Annex I to this Regulation;

(6)

Annex 22-03 is amended as set out in Annex II to this Regulation;

(7)

Annex 22-04 is amended as set out in Annex III to this Regulation.

(1)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/723 (2) establishes the standard model form to be used in the annual reports submitted by each Member State in accordance with Article 113(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625.

(2)

Section 9 of that standard model form requires Member States to report the organic data in accordance with the templates set out in Annex XIIIc to Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 (3).

(3)

Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) lays down new rules on controls of organic production and labelling of organic products, including the controls for the verification of the set-up and functioning of the internal control system of groups of operators, and the re-inspection of a minimum number of operators that are members of a group of operators. In addition, Member States will have to develop a national catalogue of measures to be taken in case of non-compliances, which includes the classification of non-compliances and the corresponding measures. Member States will have to report on the official controls that stem from those new rules and to provide information on the detected non-compliances and the enforcement of measures according to their national catalogue of measures.

(4)

In order to take into account those new rules and requirements in the annual report to be submitted in accordance with Article 113(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Section 9 of Part II of the standard model form needs to be updated.

(5)

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/723 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(6)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Organic Production Committee,

1.

Article 2 is replaced by the following:

2.

In the Annex, Section 9 of the standard model form is replaced by the text set out in the Annex to this Regulation.

(1)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 (2) establishes, on the basis of a preliminary assessment, a list of high risk plants, plant products and other objects.

(2)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2018 (3) lays down specific rules concerning the procedure to be followed, in order to carry out the risk assessment referred to in Article 42(4) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 for high risk plants, plant products and other objects.

(3)

Following a preliminary assessment, 35 plants for planting, originating from all third countries, were included in the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as high risk plants, amongst which are the species Ficus carica L. and the genus Persea Mill.

(4)

In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/2031, if it is concluded, on the basis of a risk assessment, that a plant, plant product or other object originating in a third country, group of third countries or a specific area of the third country concerned, poses an unacceptable pest risk, but that that risk can be reduced to an acceptable level by applying certain measures, the Commission is to remove that plant, plant product or other object from the list established by the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 and add it to the list referred to in Article 41(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031.

(5)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1213 (4) sets out the phytosanitary measures for the introduction into the Union territory of certain plants, plant products and other objects, which have been removed from the list established by the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019.

(6)

On 18 September 2019, Israel submitted to the Commission a request for export to the Union of bare-rooted, dormant, without leaves, one-year-old plants for planting with a maximum diameter of 2 cm at the base of the stem and one-year-old rooted cuttings without leaves of plants for planting with growing medium and with a maximum diameter of 1 cm at the base of the stem of Ficus carica L. That request was supported by the respective technical dossier.

(7)

On 26 November 2020, the European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) adopted a scientific opinion regarding the commodity risk assessment of Ficus carica L. plants for planting from Israel (5). The Authority identified Aonidiella orientalis, Colletotrichum siamense, Euwallacea fornicatus sensu lato, Hypothenemus leprieuri, Icerya aegyptiaca, Neocosmospora euwallaceae, Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, Nipaecoccus viridis, Oligonychus mangiferus, Phenacoccus solenopsis, Plicosepalus acaciae, Retithrips syriacus, Russellaspis pustulans, Scirtothrips dorsalis and Spodoptera frugiperda as pests relevant for those plants for planting, evaluated the risk mitigation measures described in the dossier for those pests and estimated their likelihood of pest freedom.

(8)

On 1 September 2019, Israel submitted to the Commission a request for export to the Union of rooted, with leaves, grafted plants for planting with growing medium and a maximum diameter of 1 cm at the base of the stem and unrooted cuttings of plants for planting of Persea americana Mill. That request was accompanied by the respective technical dossier.

(9)

On 26 November 2020, the Authority adopted a scientific opinion regarding the commodity risk assessment of Persea americana Mill. plants for planting from Israel (6). The Authority identified Aonidiella orientalis, Aulacaspis tubercularis, Avocado sunblotch viroid, Bemisia tabaci, Colletotrichum aenigma, Colletotrichum alienum, Colletotrichum fructicola, Colletotrichum perseae, Colletotrichum siamense, Colletotrichum theobromicola, Euwallacea fornicatus, Icerya aegyptiaca, Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae, Maconellicoccus hirsutus, Milviscutulus mangiferae, Neocosmospora euwallaceae, Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, Nipaecoccus viridis, Oligonychus perseae, Paracoccus marginatus, Penthimiola bella, Pseudococcus cryptus, Pulvinaria psidii, Retithrips syriacus, Scirtothrips dorsalis and Tetraleurodes perseae as pests relevant for those plants for planting, evaluated the risk mitigation measures described in the dossier for those pests and estimated their likelihood of pest freedom.

(10)

On the basis of those opinions, the necessary measures to address the risk of the specified pests should be adopted as phytosanitary import requirements, in order to ensure that the phytosanitary risk from introduction of the specified plants into the Union is reduced to an acceptable level. Therefore, bare-rooted, dormant, without leaves, one-year-old plants for planting with a maximum diameter of 2 cm at the base of the stem of Ficus carica L. and one-year-old rooted cuttings without leaves of plants for planting with growing medium and with a maximum diameter of 1 cm at the base of the stem of Ficus carica L., originating in Israel, and rooted, with leaves, grafted plants for planting with growing medium and a maximum diameter of 1 cm at the base of the stem of Persea americana Mill. and unrooted cuttings of plants for planting of Persea americana Mill., originating in Israel, should be removed from the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 and the necessary phytosanitary import measures should be added to the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1213.

(11)

Given the large number of pests identified for each of the specified plants and the uncertainties identified by the Authority, it is considered that the sole application of the measures proposed by Israel in the dossiers cannot reduce the risk from the introduction of the specified plants into the Union to an acceptable level. In order to reduce the phytosanitary risk to an acceptable level, and without prejudice to the import requirements set out in Annex VII to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 (7), those plants should be required to be grown in pest-free sites of production with physical protection against the introduction of the specified insect pests and be officially inspected to detect those pests. In addition, with regard to unrooted cuttings of plants for planting of Persea americana Mill. originating in Israel, for which the maximum diameter at the base of the stem is not specified in the dossier, a maximum diameter of 2 cm at the base of the stem should be accepted for such plants presented for import into the Union. The inspection of consignments of the specified plants immediately prior to export should also be strengthened compared to the inspection indicated by the dossiers submitted by Israel.

(12)

Bemisia tabaci, Euwallacea fornicatus sensu lato (belongs to the family of Scolytidae (non-European)), Hypothenemus leprieuri (belongs to the family of Scolytidae (non-European)), Scirtothrips dorsalis and Spodoptera frugiperda are listed as Union quarantine pests in Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. Aonidiella orientalis, Aulacaspis tubercularis, Avocado sunblotch viroid, Colletotrichum aenigma, Colletotrichum alienum, Colletotrichum fructicola, Colletotrichum perseae, Colletotrichum siamense, Colletotrichum theobromicola, Icerya aegyptiaca, Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae, Maconellicoccus hirsutus, Milviscutulus mangiferae, Neocosmospora euwallaceae, Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, Nipaecoccus viridis, Oligonychus mangiferus, Oligonychus perseae, Paracoccus marginatus, Penthimiola bella, Phenacoccus solenopsis, Plicosepalus acaciae, Pseudococcus cryptus, Pulvinaria psidii, Retithrips syriacus, Russellaspis pustulans and Tetraleurodes perseae are not yet included in the list of Union quarantine pests in Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072, but they may fulfil the conditions to be included once a complete risk assessment is carried out. For this reason, the above phytosanitary measures are also necessary concerning those pests until a complete risk assessment is carried out.

(13)

Implementing Regulations (EU) 2018/2019 and (EU) 2020/1213 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(14)

The Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1213 contains several errors when referring to other Union plant health legislation.

(15)

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1213 should therefore be corrected accordingly.

(16)

In order to comply with Union obligations deriving from the World Trade Organization Agreement on the application of sanitary and phytosanitary measures, the import of those commodities should resume within the shortest possible delay. Therefore, this Regulation should enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(17)

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

(1)

Regulation (EU) 2016/429 lays down, inter alia, the animal health requirements for the entry into the Union of consignments of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin, and it applies from 21 April 2021. One of those animal health requirements is that those consignments must come from a third country or territory, or a zone or compartment thereof, listed in accordance with Article 230(1) of that Regulation.

(2)

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 (2) supplements Regulation (EU) 2016/429 as regards the animal health requirements for the entry into the Union of, inter alia, consignments of certain species and categories of aquatic animals from third countries or territories, or the zones or, in the case of aquaculture animals, compartments thereof. Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 provides that consignments of aquatic animals falling within its scope may only be permitted to enter into the Union, if they come from a third country or territory, or a zone or, in the case of aquaculture animals, a compartment thereof, listed for the particular species and categories of those aquatic animals in accordance with the animal health requirements laid down in that Delegated Regulation.

(3)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 (3) establishes a list of third countries or territories, or the zones or compartments thereof from which the entry into the Union of, inter alia, species and categories of those aquatic animals that fall within the scope of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 is permitted.

(4)

For many years, molluscs and crustaceans intended to be kept for ornamental purposes in closed facilities have entered the Union from third countries or territories, which were listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), in accordance with Chapter IV of Council Directive 2006/88/EC (4), now repealed by Regulation (EU) 2016/429, and Article 11 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1251/2008 (5), now repealed by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2236 (6). The importation of these aquatic animals has not been associated with outbreaks of listed diseases of molluscs or crustaceans, and during that time, experience has been gathered from official controls carried out on such consignments at points of entry into the Union, and in certain cases, by official controls carried out by the Commission in the third country or territory concerned.

(5)

Under Article 230(1), point (i), of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 the Commission may, by means of implementing acts, draw up a list of third countries and territories from which the entry into the Union of specific species and categories of animals may be permitted, based on any experience gathered from previous entries of animals from the third country or territory concerned, and from the results of official controls carried out at the point of entry into the Union of such animals.

(6)

It is appropriate to amend Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 to take account of the experience gathered with the previous trade in those molluscs or crustaceans of listed species, thereby ensuring a smooth transition from the previous legislative framework, under Directive 2006/88/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1251/2008, to the new legislative framework, under Regulation (EU) 2016/429.

(7)

Article 3(1), point (t), of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 should therefore be amended to take account of the new list, laid down by this Regulation, of third countries or territories or the zones or compartments thereof, from which the entry into the Union of consignments of molluscs and crustaceans of listed species intended to be kept for ornamental purposes in closed facilities is authorised.

(8)

Annex XXI to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404, laying down the list of third countries or territories, or the zones or compartments thereof from which the entry into the Union of consignments of certain aquatic animals is authorised, should be amended to include that new list and the existing list should therefore be updated accordingly. To ensure clarity, the version of Annex XXI to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 in force should be replaced by a new one.

(9)

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(10)

As Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 applies from 21 April 2021, in the interest of legal certainty, the amendments to be made to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 by this Regulation should take effect as a matter of urgency.

(11)

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

(1)

in Article 3(1), point (t) is replaced by the following:

(2)

Annex XXI is replaced by the text set out in the Annex to this Regulation.

(1)

Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 lays down the animal health requirements applicable to non-commercial movements of pet animals, including birds referred to in Part B of Annex I thereto (pet birds), into a Member State from a territory or a third country, including the rules for documentary and identity checks on such non-commercial movements.

(2)

Article 14 of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 provides that pet birds moved into a Member State from a territory or a third country are to be accompanied by an identification document. Article 30 of that Regulation also provides for a model identification document to be adopted by the Commission by way of an implementing act, and that that identification document is to contain a written declaration by the owner or an authorised person confirming that the movement of the pet bird into the Union is a non-commercial movement (written declaration). Accordingly, this Regulation should establish that model identification document, which should consist of a veterinary certificate (veterinary certificate), as well as the written declaration.

(3)

Animal health requirements for the non-commercial movements of pet birds into a Member State from a territory or a third country are laid down in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1933 (2), which applies from 1 January 2022. Therefore, the model identification document should take into account the rules laid down in that Delegated Regulation.

(4)

The current certification rules regarding non-commercial movements of pet birds into a Member State from a territory or a third country are laid down in Commission Decision 2007/25/EC (3). As the rules laid down in that Decision are to be replaced by the rules laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1933 and in this Regulation, Decision 2007/25/EC should be repealed and any reference to that Decision should be construed as reference to this Regulation and to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1933.

(5)

In order to avoid any disturbances with regard to the introduction of pet birds into the Union, the use of a veterinary certificate and a declaration complying with the rules laid down in Decision 2007/25/EC should be authorised during a transitional period of three months following the date of application of this Regulation, subject to certain conditions.

(6)

As the rules laid down in this Regulation, are to be applied in tandem with the rules laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1933, this Regulation should also apply from 1 January 2022.

(7)

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