Presidential Decree No. 44 establishing conditions on animal health conditions governing the movement and import from third countries of equidae, pursuant to Council Directive 2009/156/EC.

With the present Decree are laid down rules on animal health conditions governing the movement and import from third countries of equidae, pursuant to Council Directive 2009/156/EC. The Decree is divided in four Chapters. In order to be the subject of trade, equidae must satisfy certain animal health requirements, so as to avoid the spreading of infectious or contagious diseases. Chapter I lay down the general provisions. Chapter II sets forth the rules for the movement of equidae between Member States. The movement of registered equidae in the national territory or sent equidae to a Member State of the European Community shall be authorized only where they satisfy the conditions laid down in articles 4 and 5. The rules laid down in Part B of Presidential Decree No. 420/1993 shall apply in particular to checks at origin, to the organization of, and follow-up to, the checks to be carried out by the Member State of destination, and to the safeguard measures to be implemented (article 8). The rules for importation of equidae from third countries are set forth in Chapter III. Equidae imported into the national territory must satisfy the conditions laid down in Articles 11 to 15. Chapter IV contains the Annexes (I to IV) as set forth in Council Directive 2009/156/EC. The model of health certificate for the trade between Member States is set out in Annex III. It includes information on related original certificates/documents such as CITES permit in case of equidae listed in the Washington Convention on protected species and products thereof.