Council Directive 91/496/EEC laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries and amending Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675/EEC.

This Directive establishes that all live animals entering the Community shall be taken to an approved border inspection post for veterinary, documentary, identity and physical checks. Inspection posts must meet the conditions set in the Directive and follow the criteria on location, staffing, and structures of the Standing Veterinary Committee (STV). Detailed provisions on action to be taken when checks reveal an irregularity, general conditions for the approval of border inspection posts and general conditions for the approval of quarantine centres are also established. (31 articles and 2 Annexes)