Annex II

ANNEX III

EXPLANATORY NOTES

(a)

The certificates shall be produced by the competent authorities of the exporting country, based on the appropriate model appearing in Annex II, IV or V to this Decision taking into account the destination and use of the fish or products after the arrival in the European Community (EC).

(b)

Considering the status of the place of destination as regards viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS), infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN), spring viraemia of carp (SVC), bacterial kidney disease (BKD), infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) and Gyrodactylus salaris (G. salaris) in the EC Member State, the appropriate specific additional requirements shall be incorporated and completed in the certificate.

(c)

The original of each certificate shall consist of a single page, double-sided, or, where more than one page is required, it shall be in such a form that all pages form part of an integrated whole and are indivisible.

It shall, on the right hand side of the top of each page, be marked as ‘original’ and bear a specific code number issued by the competent authority. All pages of the certificate shall be numbered - (page number) of (total number of pages).

(d)

The original of the certificate and the labels referred to in the model certificate shall be drawn up in at least one official language of the EC Member State in which the inspection at the border post shall be carried out and of the EC Member State of destination. However, these Member States may allow other languages, if necessary, accompanied by an official translation.

(e)

The certificate issued for live fish, their eggs and gametes must be completed on the day of loading of the consignment for exportation to the EC. The original of the certificate must be completed with an official stamp and signed by an official inspector designated by the competent authority. In doing so, the competent authority of the exporting country shall ensure that the principles of certification equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 96/93/EC are followed.

The stamp, unless embossed, and the signature shall be in a colour different to that of the printing.

(f)

If for reasons of identification of the items of the consignment, additional pages are attached to the certificate, these pages shall be considered as forming part of the original and be signed and stamped by the certifying official inspector on each page.

(g)

The original of the certificate must accompany the consignment until it reaches the EC border inspection post.

(h)

The certificate issued for live fish, their eggs and gametes shall be valid for 10 days from the date of issue. In the case of transport by ship, the time of validity is prolonged by the time of journey at sea.

(i)

The live fish, their eggs and gametes shall not be transported together with other fish, eggs or gametes that, either are not destined to EC, or are of a lower health status. Furthermore, they must not be transported under any other conditions that alter their health status.

(j)

The possible presence of pathogens in the water is relevant for considering the health status of live fish, eggs and gametes. The certifying officer should therefore consider the following:

• the ‘Place of origin’ should be the localisation of the farm where the fish, eggs or gametes was reared reaching their commercial size relevant for the consignment covered by this certificate.