(1)

Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 lays down the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals and the rules applicable to checks on such movements.

(2)

Part C of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 lists the third countries and territories which are free of rabies and the third countries and territories in respect of which the risk of rabies entering the Community as a result of movements of pet animals from those third countries and territories has been found to be no higher than the risk associated with movements between Member States.

(3)

To be included on that list, a third country should demonstrate its status with regard to rabies and that it complies with certain requirements relating to the notification of suspicion of rabies, the monitoring system, the structure and organisation of its veterinary services, the implementation of all regulatory measures for the prevention and control of rabies and the regulations on the marketing of anti-rabies vaccines.

(4)

The competent authorities of Saint Lucia have submitted information regarding the status of that third country with regard to rabies, as well as information concerning the compliance with the requirements laid down in Regulation (EC) No 998/2003. From the assessment of that information, it appears that Saint Lucia complies with the relevant requirements laid down in that Regulation and should therefore be included in the list set out in Part C of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 998/2003.

(5)

Part C of Annex II to 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,