Article 2

The competent authority in the Member State of dispatch may request as quickly as possible and in any event within a maximum of seven days following receipt of the information referred to in Article 1:

• one or more tests, if necessary on the duplicate sample or aliquot part or parts referred to in Article 3 (3) of Decision 94/338/EC final, to be carried out by the relevant Community reference laboratory or by an approved laboratory selected by common accord by the respective competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch and of the Member State of destination;

• a clinical examination of the consignment if it has been placed in isolation, in the presence of a representative.

The costs of the checks referred to in paragraph 1 shall be borne by the competent authority of the Member State of dispatch. The latter may, in accordance with national rules, pass the costs on to the operators concerned.