Third countries whose legislation authorises the placing on the market and administration of stilbenes, stilbene derivatives, their salts and esters, or of thyrostatic substances for administering to all species of animals the meat and products of which are intended for human consumption may not appear on any of the lists of countries provided for under Community legislation from which Member States are authorised to import farm or aquaculture animals or meat or products obtained from such animals.

However, animals intended for breeding, breeding animals at the end of their reproductive life, or meat therefrom, from third countries may be imported subject to their affording guarantees at least equivalent to those laid down in this Directive, which have been established in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 33 of Directive 96/23/EC for the purpose of giving effect to Chapter V of that Directive.

Checks on imports from third countries shall be carried out in accordance with Article 4 (2) (c) of Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries18 and Article 8 (2) of Council Directive 90/675/EEC of 10 December 1990 laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries19.