L 58/52 Official Journal of the European Union 3.3.2015 COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2015/329 of 2 March 2015 derogating from Union provisions on animal and public health as regards the introduction into the European Union of food of animal origin destined for EXPO Milano 2015 in Milan (Italy) (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Council Directive 2002/99/EC of 16 December 2002 laying down the animal health rules governing the production, processing, distribution and introduction of products of animal origin for human consumption ('), and in particular the third indent of Article 8(5), Article 9(2)(b) and Article 9(4) thereof, Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin (3, and in particular the second paragraph of Article 9 thereof, Having regard to Council Directive 96/23/EC of 29 April 1996 on measures to monitor certain substances and residues thereof in live animals and animal products and repealing Directives 85/358/EEC and 86/469/EEC and Decisions 89/187/EEC and 91/664/EEC (%), and in particular the fourth subparagraph of Article 29(1) thereof, Whereas: (1)  Italy will host the universal exhibition named ‘EXPO Milano 2015’ which will take place in Milan from 1 May to 31 October 2015. The central theme of this exhibition is ‘Feeding the planet — Energy for life’. It is planned that about 150 countries will participate in the ‘EXPO Milano 2015 and, in relation with the theme, it is expected that food products, including products of animal origin, will have to be introduced into the Union from third countries. (2)  The authorisation to export products of animal origin to the Union is granted to third countries based on a number of requirements laid down in the Union legislation, which take into account animal and public health concerns. However, not all the countries taking part in ‘EXPO Milano 2015 are fully authorised to export products of animal origin to the Union. It is therefore opportune to establish certain derogations to the current import health requirements in order to authorise the introduction of those products exclusively for the purpose of their use in ‘EXPO Milano 2015'. (3)  As regards the animal health aspects, the products of animal origin that give rise to a risk of introduction of animal diseases into the Union, such as fresh meat and meat products, milk and dairy products and other products of animal origin, are only allowed to be imported into the Union if all the relevant animal health guarantees provided for in the Union import legislation are fulfilled. The same applies to products of animal origin in transit through the Union on the condition that they are transported into a third country. To be authorised to be imported or transit through the Union the products of animal origin are to originate from third countries specifically listed in the relevant animal health import legislation and have undergone the specific treatments provided for in such legislation. (4)  Therefore, in order to protect the animal health status of the Union, only products of animal origin which fulfil the Union animal health import or transit requirements should be authorised to enter the Union for the purpose of their use in ‘EXPO Milano 2015'. (5)  Considering the risks involved with the introduction into the Union of products of animal origin not in conformity with the Union public health requirements and, at the same time, the need to protect public health, it is necessary to ensure that those products are in conformity with the public health requirements of the third country of origin and that they are fit for human consumption in that country. This would result in the same risk travellers from the Union would face while travelling and consuming such goods in the relevant third country. In addition, the competent Italian authorities have provided guarantees aimed at avoiding that the abovementioned risks can affect human health within the Union in a negative way. () OJL18,23.1.2003,p. 11. () OJL139,30.4.2004, p. 55. () OJL125,23.5.1996, p. 10.