Brussels, 23/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - At the request of the United Kingdom, which noted reservation pending scrutiny by Parliament, the Council of EU Agriculture Ministers decided, on Monday, to postpone until the June meeting adoption of the compromise text on harmonising health norms applying to the movements of domestic animals, although the Presidency noted the existence of a qualified majority agreement on this issue.
In addition to the eight-year transitional period during which dogs, cats and ferrets must carry identification in the form of a tattoo or electronic chip, the essential aspects of the compromise are as follows: - establishment of a transitional five-hear period to allow the United Kingdom, Ireland and Sweden to continue requiring a passport issued by an approved veterinarian attesting to the presence of a minimum antibody titre on the basis of a sample taken in an approved laboratory. The Commission should draft a report in order to define the regime to be applied to blood tests from 1 January 2008; - the setting in place of a transitional five-year period during which these three Member States may maintain their specific provisions to fight against "ticks"; - the movements of pets between small territorial entities outside the Community (Monaco, Andorra, Saint-Marin, the Vatican) and Italy, France and Spain, as well as between Norway and Sweden, may continue according to the conditions set out in the national rules in force.