CHAPTER IU.K.General provisions
Article 1U.K.
This Regulation lays down the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals and the rules applying to checks on such movement.
Article 2U.K.
This Regulation applies to the movement between Member States or from third countries of pet animals of the species listed in Annex I.
It shall apply without prejudice to Regulation (EC) No 338/97.
Provisions based on considerations other than those relating to animal health requirements, and intended to restrict the movement of certain species or breeds of pet animals, shall not be affected by this Regulation.
Article 3U.K.
For the purposes of this Regulation:
(a)
‘pet animals’ means animals of the species listed in Annex I which are accompanying their owners or a natural person responsible for such animals on behalf of the owner during their movement and are not intended to be sold or transferred to another owner;
(b)
‘passport’ means any document enabling the pet animal to be clearly identified and including the points that enable its status with regard to this Regulation to be checked, which is to be drawn up in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 17;
(c)
‘movement’ means any movement of a pet animal between Member States or its entry or re-entry into the territory of the Community from a third country.
Article 4U.K.
1.During an eight-year transitional period starting from the entry into force of this Regulation, animals of the species listed in parts A and B of Annex I shall be regarded as identified where they bear:
(a)either a clearly readable tattoo; or
(b)an electronic identification system (transponder).
[In the case referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph, where the transponder does not comply with the requirements set out in Annex Ia, the owner or the natural person responsible for the pet animal on behalf of the owner must provide the means necessary for reading the transponder at the time of any inspection.]
2.Whatever form the animal identification system takes, provision shall also be made for the indication of details identifying the name and address of the animal's owner.
3.Member States which require animals entering their territory, otherwise than into quarantine, to be identified in accordance with point (b) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 may continue to do so during the transitional period.
4.After the transitional period, only the method referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 shall be accepted as the means of identifying an animal.