- Latest available (Revised)
- Point in Time (18/06/2010)
- Original (As adopted by EU)
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health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals and amending Council Directive 92/65/EEC (repealed)
When the UK left the EU, legislation.gov.uk published EU legislation that had been published by the EU up to IP completion day (31 December 2020 11.00 p.m.). On legislation.gov.uk, these items of legislation are kept up-to-date with any amendments made by the UK since then.
Legislation.gov.uk publishes the UK version. EUR-Lex publishes the EU version. The EU Exit Web Archive holds a snapshot of EUR-Lex’s version from IP completion day (31 December 2020 11.00 p.m.).
Version Superseded: 29/12/2014
Point in time view as at 18/06/2010.
There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (repealed).
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. At the current time any known changes or effects made by subsequent legislation have been applied to the text of the legislation you are viewing by the editorial team. Please see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ for details regarding the timescales for which new effects are identified and recorded on this site.
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.
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.
For the purposes of this Regulation:
‘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;
‘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;
‘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.
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).
[F1In 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.
Textual Amendments
1.When being moved, pet animals of the species listed in parts A and B of Annex I must, without prejudice to the requirements laid down in Article 6:
(a)be identified in accordance with Article 4, and
[F1(b) be accompanied by a passport issued by a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority certifying that:
a valid anti-rabies vaccination was carried out on the animal in question pursuant to Annex Ib,
where necessary, preventive health measures regarding other diseases were carried out on the animal in question.]
[F2In order to ensure the control of diseases other than rabies, likely to spread due to the movement of pet animals, the Commission may adopt, by means of delegated acts in accordance with Article 19b and subject to the conditions of Articles 19c and 19d, the preventive health measures referred to in point (b)(ii) of the first subparagraph. Those measures shall be scientifically justified and shall be proportionate to the risk of spreading those diseases due to such movement.]
2.Member States may authorise the movement of animals listed in parts A and B of Annex I which are under three months old and unvaccinated, if they are accompanied by a passport and have stayed in the place in which they were born since birth without contact with wild animals likely to have been exposed to the infection or are accompanied by their mothers on whom they are still dependent.
Textual Amendments
[F11. Until 31 December 2011 , the entry of the pet animals listed in Part A of Annex I into the territory of Ireland, Malta, Sweden and the United Kingdom shall be subject to the following requirements:
they must be identified in accordance with point (b) of the first subparagraph of Article 4(1), unless, until the end of the eight-year transitional period provided for in Article 4(1), the Member State of destination also recognises identification in accordance with point (a) of the first subparagraph of Article 4(1), and]
they must be accompanied by a passport issued by a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority certifying, in addition to the conditions laid down in Article 5(1)(b), a neutralising antibody titration at least equal to 0,5 IU/ml carried out in an approved laboratory on a sample within the periods laid down in national rules in force on the date specified in the second paragraph of Article 25.
This antibody titration need not be repeated on an animal which, following that titration, has been regularly revaccinated at the intervals laid down in Article 5(1) without a break in the vaccination protocol required by the manufacturing laboratory.
The Member State of destination may exempt pet animals moving between [F3these four Member States] from the vaccination and antibody titration requirements provided for in the first subparagraph of this paragraph, in accordance with national rules in force on the date specified in the second paragraph of Article 25.
2.Except where the competent authority grants a derogation in specific cases, animals under three months old of the species listed in part A of Annex I may not be moved before they have reached the required age for vaccination and, where provided for in the rules, they have undergone a test to determine antibody titration.
3.The transitional period laid down in paragraph 1 may be extended by the European Parliament and the Council, acting on a proposal from the Commission in accordance with the Treaty.
Textual Amendments
F1 Substituted by Regulation (EU) No 438/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 on the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals.
F3 Substituted by Council Decision of 13 September 2004 amending Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals to take account of the accession of Malta (Text with EEA relevance) (2004/650/EC).
Movement between Member States or from a territory listed in section 2 of Part B of Annex II of animals of the species listed in part C of Annex I shall not be subject to any requirement with regard to rabies. The Commission shall draw up, if necessary, specific requirements, including a possible limit on the number of animals, in respect of other diseases. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 24(4). A model certificate to accompany such animals may be drawn up in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 24(2).]
Textual Amendments
F4 Substituted by Regulation (EC) No 219/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 adapting a number of instruments subject to the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty to Council Decision 1999/468/EC with regard to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny Adaptation to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny — Part Two.
1.At the time of movement, pet animals of the species listed in parts A and B of Annex I shall:
(a)when they come from a third country listed in section 2 of part B and in part C of Annex II, and enter:
one of the Member States listed in section 1 of part B of Annex II, satisfy the requirements of Article 5(1);
[F1until 31 December 2011 , one of the Member States listed in part A of Annex II, either directly or after transit through one of the territories listed in part B of Annex II, satisfy the requirements of Article 6;]
(b)when they come from another third country and enter:
one of the Member States listed in section 1 of part B of Annex II:
be identified by means of the identification system defined in Article 4, and
have undergone:
anti-rabies vaccination in accordance with the requirements of Article 5, and
a neutralising antibody titration at least equal to 0,5 IU/ml carried out on a sample taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after vaccination and three months before being moved.
The antibody titration need not be renewed on a pet animal which has been revaccinated at the intervals laid down in Article 5(1).
This three-month period shall not apply to the re-entry of a pet animal whose passport certifies that the titration was carried out, with a positive result, before the animal left the territory of the Community;
[F1until 31 December 2011 , one of the Member States listed in part A of Annex II, either directly or after transit through one of the territories listed in part B of Annex II, be placed in quarantine unless they have been brought into conformity with the requirements of Article 6 after their entry into the Union.]
2.Pet animals must be accompanied by a certificate issued by an official veterinarian or, on re-entry, by a passport certifying compliance with the provisions of paragraph 1.
3.Notwithstanding the above provisions:
(a)pet animals from the territories listed in section 2 of part B of Annex II for which it has been established, under the procedure laid down in Article 24(2), that such territories apply rules at least equivalent to Community rules as provided for in this Chapter, shall be subject to the rules laid down in Chapter II;
(b)the movement of pet animals between, respectively, San Marino, the Vatican and Italy, Monaco and France, Andorra and France or Spain, and Norway and Sweden may continue under the conditions laid down by national rules in force on the date laid down in the second paragraph of Article 25;
(c)in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 24(2) and on conditions to be determined, the entry of unvaccinated pet animals under three months old of the species listed in part A of Annex I from the third countries listed in parts B and C of Annex II may be authorised where the rabies situation in the country concerned so warrants.
4.The arrangements for implementing this Article, and in particular the model certificate, shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 24(2).
Textual Amendments
The conditions applicable to the movement of animals of the species listed in Part C of Annex I from third countries shall be adopted by the Commission. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 24(4). The model certificate which must accompany the movement of animals shall be drawn up in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 24(2).]
Textual Amendments
F4 Substituted by Regulation (EC) No 219/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 adapting a number of instruments subject to the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty to Council Decision 1999/468/EC with regard to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny Adaptation to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny — Part Two.
[F4The list of third countries provided for in part C of Annex II shall be drawn up by the Commission. To be included on that list, a third country must first demonstrate its status with regard to rabies and that:]
notification to the authorities of the suspicion of rabies is obligatory;
an efficient monitoring system has been in place for at least two years;
the structure and organisation of its veterinary services are sufficient to guarantee the validity of the certificates;
all the regulatory measures for the prevention and control of rabies have been implemented, including the rules on imports;
regulations are in force on the marketing of anti-rabies vaccines (list of authorised vaccines and laboratories).
[F5Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 24(5).]
Textual Amendments
F4 Substituted by Regulation (EC) No 219/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 adapting a number of instruments subject to the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty to Council Decision 1999/468/EC with regard to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny Adaptation to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny — Part Two.
F5 Inserted by Regulation (EC) No 219/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 adapting a number of instruments subject to the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty to Council Decision 1999/468/EC with regard to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny Adaptation to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny — Part Two.
Member States shall provide the public with clear and easily accessible information concerning the health requirements that apply for the non-commercial movement of pets in Community territory and the conditions under which they may enter or re-enter such territory. They shall also ensure that personnel at entry points are fully informed of these rules and are able to implement them.
Member States shall take the measures necessary to ensure that pet animals brought into Community territory from a third country other than those listed in section 2 of part B of Annex II are subject:
if there are five pet animals or less, to documentary and identity checks by the competent authorities at the travellers' point of entry into Community territory;
if there are more than five pet animals, to the requirements and checks laid down in Directive 92/65/EEC.
Member States shall designate the authorities responsible for such checks and immediately inform the Commission thereof.
Each Member State shall draw up a list of points of entry as referred to in Article 12 and forward it to the other Member States and to the Commission.
At the time of any movement, the owner or natural person responsible for the pet animal must be able to present the authorities responsible for checks with a passport or the certificate provided for in Article 8(2) certifying that the animal meets the requirements laid down for such movement.
[F1In the case referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph of Article 4(1), 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.]
Where such checks reveal that the animal does not meet the requirements laid down in this Regulation, the competent authorities shall decide in consultation with the official veterinarian:
to return the animal to its country of origin;
to isolate the animal under official control for the time necessary for it to meet the health requirements, at the expense of the owner or the natural person responsible for it; or
as a last resort, to put the animal down, without financial compensation, where its return or isolation in quarantine cannot be envisaged.
Member States shall ensure that animals which are refused authorisation to enter Community territory are housed under official control pending return to their country of origin or any other administrative decision.
Textual Amendments
Where the requirements applicable to movement provide for an antibody titration for rabies, the sample must be taken by an authorised veterinarian and the test must be carried out by a laboratory approved in accordance with Council Decision 2000/258/EC of 20 March 2000 designating a specific institute responsible for establishing the criteria necessary for standardising the serological tests to monitor the effectiveness of rabies vaccines(1).
Until 31 December 2011 , Finland, Ireland, Malta, Sweden and the United Kingdom, as regards echinococcosis, and Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom, as regards ticks, may make the entry of pet animals into their territory subject to compliance with the special rules applicable on the date of entry into force of this Regulation.]
Textual Amendments
[F4For the movement of animals of the species listed in Parts A and B of Annex I, requirements of a technical nature other than those laid down by this Regulation may be adopted by the Commission. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 24(4).]
The model passports which must accompany animals of the species listed in parts A and B of Annex I which are being moved shall be drawn up in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 24(2).
Textual Amendments
F4 Substituted by Regulation (EC) No 219/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 adapting a number of instruments subject to the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty to Council Decision 1999/468/EC with regard to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny Adaptation to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny — Part Two.
The safeguard measures provided for by Council Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products with a view to the completion of the internal market(2), and Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries and amending Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675/EEC(3), shall apply.
In particular, at the request of a Member State or on the initiative of the Commission, where the rabies situation in a Member State or a third country so warrants, a decision may be taken, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 24(3), that animals of the species listed in parts A and B of Annex I coming from that territory must meet the conditions laid down in Article 8(1)(b).
Part C of Annex I and parts B and C of Annex II may be amended by the Commission to take account of developments in the situation within the Community or in third countries as regards diseases affecting the species of animals covered by this Regulation, in particular rabies, and, if need be, limit, for the purposes of this Regulation, the number of animals which can be moved. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 24(4).]
Textual Amendments
F4 Substituted by Regulation (EC) No 219/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 adapting a number of instruments subject to the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty to Council Decision 1999/468/EC with regard to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny Adaptation to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny — Part Two.
1. In order to take account of technical progress, the Commission may adopt, by means of delegated acts in accordance with Article 19b and subject to the conditions of Articles 19c and 19d, amendments to the technical requirements for the identification as laid down in Annex Ia.
2. In order to take account of scientific and technical developments regarding anti-rabies vaccination, the Commission may adopt, by means of delegated acts in accordance with Article 19b and subject to the conditions of Articles 19c and 19d, amendments to the technical requirements for the anti-rabies vaccination as laid down in Annex Ib.
3. When adopting such delegated acts, the Commission shall act in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation.
Textual Amendments
1. The power to adopt the delegated acts referred to in Article 5(1) and Article 19a shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of 5 years following 18 June 2010 . The Commission shall make a report in respect of the delegated powers not later than 6 months before the end of the 5 year period. The delegation of powers shall be automatically extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council revokes it in accordance with Article 19c.
2. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.
3. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in Articles 19c and 19d.
Textual Amendments
1. The delegation of powers referred to in Article 5(1) and Article 19a may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council.
2. The institution which has commenced an internal procedure for deciding whether to revoke the delegation of powers shall endeavour to inform the other institution and the Commission within a reasonable time before the final decision is taken, indicating the delegated powers which could be subject to revocation and possible reasons for a revocation.
3. The decision of revocation shall put an end to the delegation of the powers specified in that decision. It shall take effect immediately or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of the delegated acts already in force. It shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union .
Textual Amendments
1. The European Parliament or the Council may object to a delegated act within a period of two months from the date of notification.
At the initiative of the European Parliament or the Council this period shall be extended by two months.
2. If, on expiry of that period, neither the European Parliament nor the Council has objected to the delegated act, it shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and shall enter into force on the date stated therein.
The delegated act may be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and enter into force before the expiry of that period if the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission of their intention not to raise objections.
3. If the European Parliament or the Council objects to a delegated act, it shall not enter into force. The institution which objects shall state the reasons for objecting to the delegated act.]
Textual Amendments
Any implementing measure of a technical nature shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 24(2).
Any transitional provisions may be adopted by the Commission to permit the changeover from the current arrangements to the arrangements established by this Regulation. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 24(4).]
Textual Amendments
F4 Substituted by Regulation (EC) No 219/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 adapting a number of instruments subject to the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty to Council Decision 1999/468/EC with regard to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny Adaptation to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny — Part Two.
Directive 92/65/EEC shall be amended as follows:
in Article 10:
in paragraph 1 the word ‘ferrets’ shall be deleted;
paragraphs 2 and 3 shall be replaced by the following:
‘2.To be the subject of trade, dogs, cats and ferrets must satisfy the requirements set out in Articles 5 and 16 of 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(4).
The certificate accompanying the animals must also confirm that, 24 hours before dispatch of the animals, a clinical examination was carried out by a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority showing the animals to be in good health and able to withstand carriage to their destination.
3.By way of derogation from paragraph 2, when trade is to Ireland, the United Kingdom or Sweden, dogs, cats and ferrets shall be subject to the conditions set out in Articles 6 and 16 of Regulation (EC) No 998/2003.
The certificate accompanying the animals must also confirm that, 24 hours before dispatch of the animals, a clinical examination was carried out by a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority showing the animals to be in good health and able to withstand carriage to their destination.’
in paragraph 4 the following shall be added after ‘carnivores’:
‘with the exception of the species referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3’;
paragraph 8 shall be deleted.
the following subparagraphs shall be added to Article 16:
‘With respect to cats, dogs and ferrets, import conditions must be at least equivalent to those of Chapter III of Regulation (EC) No 998/2003.
The certificate accompanying the animals must also confirm that, 24 hours before dispatch of the animals, a clinical examination was carried out by a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority showing the animals to be in good health and able to withstand carriage to their destination.’
Before 1 February 2007 the Commission, after receipt of the opinion of the European Food Safety Authority on the need to maintain the serological test, shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council a report, based on experience gained and on a risk evaluation, together with appropriate proposals for determining the regime to be applied with effect from [F61 July 2010] for Articles 6, 8 and 16.
Textual Amendments
1.The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee.
2.Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.
The period referred to in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be three months.
3.Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.
The period referred to in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be 15 days.
[F44. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5a(1) to (4) and Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.]
[F55. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5a(1) to (4) and (5)(b) and Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.
The periods laid down in Article 5a(3)(c), (4)(b) and (4)(e) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at two months, one month and two months respectively.]
Textual Amendments
F4 Substituted by Regulation (EC) No 219/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 adapting a number of instruments subject to the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty to Council Decision 1999/468/EC with regard to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny Adaptation to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny — Part Two.
F5 Inserted by Regulation (EC) No 219/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 adapting a number of instruments subject to the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty to Council Decision 1999/468/EC with regard to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny Adaptation to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny — Part Two.
This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day after that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
It shall apply from 3 July 2004.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As adopted by EU): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was first adopted in the EU. No changes have been applied to the text.
Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different versions taken from EUR-Lex before exit day and during the implementation period as well as any subsequent versions created after the implementation period as a result of changes made by UK legislation.
The dates for the EU versions are taken from the document dates on EUR-Lex and may not always coincide with when the changes came into force for the document.
For any versions created after the implementation period as a result of changes made by UK legislation the date will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. For further information see our guide to revised legislation on Understanding Legislation.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: