THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals and amending Council Directive 92/65/EEC(1), and in particular Article 20 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 lays down the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movements of dogs, cats and ferrets and the rules applicable to checks on such movements.
(2) That Regulation provides that the pet animal must be accompanied by a passport certifying that it has undergone a valid anti-rabies vaccination, or revaccination (booster) if applicable, in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturing laboratory.
(3) The recommendations of the producer of the vaccination state clearly the end of the immunity period and the date before which the revaccination (booster) has to be carried out.
(4) Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 does not lay down the period necessary for the establishment of the immunity against rabies. In the interests of clarity of Community legislation, it is appropriate to provide for a time period after which the anti-rabies vaccination or revaccination (booster) should be considered as valid.
(5) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
OJ L 146, 13.6.2003, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2054/2004 (OJ L 355, 1.12.2004, p. 14).