(1)

Directive 92/65/EEC lays down conditions applicable to imports into the Union, inter alia, of semen, ova and embryos of the equine species. Those conditions are to be at least equivalent to those applicable to trade between Member States.

(2)

Directive 2009/156/EC lays down animal health conditions for the importation into the Union of live equidae. It provides that imports of equidae into the Union are only authorised from those third countries that meet certain animal health requirements.

(3)

Commission Decision 2004/211/EC of 6 January 2004 establishing the list of third countries and parts of territory thereof from which Member States authorise imports of live equidae and semen, ova and embryos of the equine species, and amending Decisions 93/195/EEC and 94/63/EC (3) establishes a list of third countries, or parts thereof where regionalisation applies, from which Member States are to authorise the importation of equidae and semen, ova and embryos thereof, and indicates the other conditions applicable to such imports. That list is set out in Annex I to Decision 2004/211/EC.

(4)

Following the eradication of glanders, Bahrain continued enhanced surveillance and movement restrictions on equidae kept in the northern part of the country. Annex I to Decision 2004/211/EC therefore indicates different conditions for the introduction into the Member States of registered horses from the northern and southern parts of that country. Since there has been no case of glanders since September 2011 in Bahrain, it is possible to allow the importation of registered horses under the same conditions from the entire territory of Bahrain.

(5)

In order to host an equestrian event of the Global Champions Tour in October 2013, carried out under the auspices of the World Equestrian Federation (FEI), the competent Chinese authorities have requested the recognition of an equine disease-free zone in the Metropolitan area of Shanghai, directly accessible from the nearby international airport. In view of the temporary nature of the purpose-built facilities at the EXPO 2010 parking it is appropriate to foresee only a temporary approval of that zone.

(6)

The Chinese authorities have provided guarantees in particular as regards the notifiability in their country of the diseases listed in Annex I to Directive 2009/156/EC and the undertaking to fully comply with Article 12(2)(f) of that Directive as regards the information to the Commission and the Member States. In addition, the Chinese authorities have informed the Commission that the entire group of horses competing in that event will come from and return to Member States and will be kept completely separated from any equidae not of the same origin and health status.

(7)

In the light of those guarantees and information provided by the Chinese authorities, it is possible to allow for a limited period of time from a part of the territory of China the re-entry of registered horses after temporary export in accordance with the requirements of Commission Decision 93/195/EEC of 2 February 1993 on animal health conditions and veterinary certification for the re-entry of registered horses for racing, competition and cultural events after temporary export (4).

(8)

The entries for Bahrain and China in Annex I to Decision 2004/211/EC should therefore be amended.

(9)

Decision 2004/211/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(10)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,