L 2/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 5.1.2001 COMMISSION DECISION of 29 December 2000 amending Decision 2000/764/EC on the testing of bovine animals for the presence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy and updating Annex IV of Decision 98/272/EC on epidemio- surveillance for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (notified under document number C(2000) 4411) (Text with EEA relevance) (2001/8/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, (5)  The Council has invited the Commission to specify the Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 89/662/EEC of 11 December 1989 concerning veterinary checks in intra- Community trade with a view to the completion of the internal market (1), as last amended by Directive 92/118/EEC (?), and in particular Article 9(4) thereof, Having regard to 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 (), as last amended by Directive 92/118/EEC, and in particular Article 10(4) thereof, Whereas: (1)  Commission Decision 2000/764/EC of 29 November 2000 on the testing of bovine animals for the presence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (¥, lays down reinforced rules for the testing of bovine animals entering the food chain. (2)  Commission Decision 98/272/EC of 23 April 1998 on epidemio-surveillance for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (%), as last amended by Decision 2000/ 764[EC, lays down the methods and protocols to be followed when examining bovine animals for the pres- ence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). (3)  Commission Regulation (EC) No 2777/2000 of 18 December 2000 adopting exceptional support measures for the beef market () provides for a scheme where bovine animals over 30 months of age can be purchased for destruction instead of being slaughtered for human consumption. It is necessary to clarify that the obligation to examine certain groups of animals at risk applies where such animals are purchased for destruction. (4) It is appropriate to clarify the rules on the health marking of carcases from animals having been examined for BSE. ] L 395, 30.12.1989, p. 13. ] L 62, 15.3.1993, p. 49. ] L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 29. ] L 305, 6.12.2000, p. 35. ] L 122, 24.4.1998, p. 59. ] L 321, 19.12.2000, p. 47. modalities under which laboratory testing for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) shall be carried out and the methods by which the testing shall be controlled by competent authorities and monitored by the Commission. (6)  Decision 2000/764/EC and Decision 98/272[EC need to be amended accordingly. (7  The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Commiittee, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Decision 2000/764/EC is amended as follows: 1. Article 1(1) is replaced by the following: ‘1. Member States shall ensure that all bovine animals over 30 months of age: — subject to “special emergency slaughtering” as defined in Article 2(n) of Council Directive 64/433/EEC (*), or — slaughtered in accordance with Annex I, Chapter VI, point 28(c) to Directive 64/433/EEC are examined by one of the approved rapid tests listed in Annex IVA to decision 98/272/EC as of 1 January 2001. The provisions of this paragraph shall also apply to animals, as referred to in the first subparagraph, which are purchased for destruction in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 2777/2000. (*) O] 121, 29.7.1964, p. 2012[64. 2. Article 2 is replaced by the following: ‘Article 2 All parts of the body, including the hide, of animals examined in accordance with Article 1 shall be retained under official supervision until a negative test result has been obtained or until it has been destroyed by inciner- tion or, under exceptional circumstances, burned or