Brussels, 10/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 7 November, the Commission adopted a draft decision recognising the equivalence of the legislations of the European Union and Switzerland in the area of the production and import of live animals and animal products. By recognising the equivalence of legislation, the two parties will bring an end to veterinary checks at the borders between EU member states and Switzerland and, thus, facilitate the movement of live animals and animal products. These movements will now be carried out under the same conditions as those within the Community.
Eleven border veterinary inspection posts between Switzerland and the European Union will be removed. The inspection posts in the airports of Zurich and Geneva will be recognised by the European Union for the conduct of controls on imports from third countries. The recognition of equivalence of legislation will also mean mutual delegation of veterinary checks at external borders: EU member states will carry out checks on imports from third countries destined for Switzerland and Switzerland will carry out checks on imports headed for the EU. The proposal to amend the agricultural agreement must now be endorsed by the member states. It is planned that the changes will come into force on 1 January 2009. Switzerland and the EU have already abandoned veterinary certification of the animal products traded between the two. (L.C./transl.rt)