EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 111/15/COL of 31 March 2015 amending the list contained in point 39 of Part 1.2 of Chapter I of Annex I to the Agreement on the European Economic Area listing border inspection posts in Iceland and Norway agreed for veterinary checks on live animals and animal products from third countries and repealing EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 311/13/COL [2016/1419]

THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY,

Having regard to point (5)(b) of the Introductory Part of Chapter I of Annex I to the EEA Agreement,

Having regard to the Act referred to at point 4 of Part 1.1 of Chapter I of Annex I to the EEA Agreement (Council Directive 97/78/EC of 18 December 1997 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries⁽¹⁾), as amended and adapted to the EEA Agreement by the sectoral adaptations referred to in Annex I to that Agreement, and in particular Article 6(2) thereof,

Having regard to the Act referred to at point 111 of Part 1.2 of Chapter I of Annex I to the EEA Agreement (Commission Decision 2001/812/EC of 21 November 2001 laying down the requirements for the approval of border inspection posts responsible for veterinary checks on products introduced into the Community from third countries⁽²⁾), as amended, and in particular Article 3(5) thereof,

as adapted to the EEA Agreement by point 4(d) of Protocol 1 to the EEA Agreement and Articles 1(2) and 3 of Protocol 1 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement,

Whereas:

1. By letter of 19 January 2015 (Doc No 742451, IS ref. Mast14090047/0.2.7.0), the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) informed the Authority that the border inspection post Húsavik (IS HUS 1) had been closed. MAST therefore requested that the border inspection post be removed from the lists of border inspection posts in Iceland and Norway agreed for veterinary checks on live animals and animal products from third countries.

2. According to Directive 97/78/EC, the Authority shall draw up and publish a list of approved border inspection posts which may subsequently be amended or supplemented to reflect changes in the national lists. The current list of approved border inspection posts was adopted by the Authority on 17 July 2013 by Decision No 311/13/COL.

3. It is therefore the Authority's obligation to amend the list of border inspection posts in Iceland and Norway and to publish a new list, reflecting the change concerning Húsavik border inspection post.

4. The Authority, by its Decision No 65/15/COL, referred the matter to the EFTA Veterinary and Phytosanitary Committee assisting the EFTA Surveillance Authority. The Committee approved unanimously the proposed modification to the list. Accordingly, the draft measures are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee.

5. According to point 6 of EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 494/13/COL of 11 December 2013, the College Member with special responsibility for veterinary and phytosanitary matters is empowered to adopt draft measures amending the list of border inspection posts in an EFTA State agreed for veterinary checks on live animals and animal products from third countries if the draft measures are in accordance with the opinion of the EFTA Veterinary and Phytosanitary Committee assisting the EFTA Surveillance Authority.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: