17. 12. 96 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 326/67 COMMISSION DECISION of 28 November 1996 laying down the models of the public health declaration and health marks for the importation of fresh poultry meat from third countries (Text with EEA relevance) (96/712/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 92/116/EEC of 17 December 1992 amending and updating Directive 71/118/EEC on health problems affecting the production and placing on the market of fresh poultry meat ('), last amended by the Accession Treaty of Austria, Finland and Sweden, and in particular Article 14 (B) (1) (c) thereof, Whereas Commission Decision 94/984/EC (3, as last amended by Decision 96/456/EC (}), has laid down the animal health conditions and the veterinary certificates for the importation of fresh poultry meat from certain third countries; Whereas also the model of the public health declaration and the health mark for such imports have to be laid down; Whereas Council Decision 95/411/EC (*) has laid down the rules for the microbiological test by sampling of fresh poultrymeat intended for Finland and Sweden; Whereas, in addition, where it is possible to recognize conditions offering equivalent guarantees, a third country may submit a proposal for such recognition to the Commission for appropriate consideration; Whereas considering that a new regime is established, a period of time should be provided for its implementation; Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee, No L 62, 15. 3. 1993, p. 1. No L 378, 31. 12. 1994, p. 1. No L 188, 27. 7. 1996, p. 52. No L 243, 11. 10. 1995, p. 29. HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 1. Member States shall ensure that the accompanying animal health certificate of Decision 94/984/EC for fresh poultry meat imported from third countries should be supplemented by the public health declaration, duly completed and signed, in conformity with the model in Annex I 2. The declaration shall be drawn up in at least one of the official languages of the Member States of introduc- tion into the Community. Article 2 The fresh poultry meat, intended for consignment to the Community and fulfilling the requirements of this De- cision and of Decision 94/984/EC, has to be marked with a health mark responding to the criteria mentioned in Annex II. Article 3 This Decision shall apply from 1 January 1997. Article 4 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 28 November 1996. For the Commission Franz FISCHLER Member of the Commission