30. 12. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 395/13 " (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL ' COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 11 December 1989 concemmg vetetmary checks in intra-Community trade with a view to the completion of the internal market (89/662/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and -in particular Article 43 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (!), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), . Whereas the Community is to adopt measures designed to establish the internal market progressively over a period expiring on 31 December 1992; Whereas . the harmonious operation of the common. . organization of the market in livestock products and products of animal origin implies the dismantling of veterinary barriers to the development of intra-Community trade in the products concerned; whereas in this respect the free movement of agricultural products is-a fundamental feature of the common organization of markets and should facilitate the rational development of agricultural production and the optimum use of the factors of production. Whereas in the veterinary fiéld frontiers are currently being used for carrying out checks aimed at safeguarding public health-and animal health; (1) O] No C 225, 31. 8. 1988, p. 4. (2).0J No C 326, 19. 12. 1988, p. 28. (*) O] No L 56, 6. 3. 1989, p. 7. Whereas the ultimate aim is to ensure that veterinary checks are carried out at the place of dispatch only; whereas the attainment of this objective implies the harmonization of the basic requirements relating to the safeguardmg of publlc health and animal health; Whereas with a view to the completion of the internal market, pending the attainment of this objective, the - emphasis should be placed on the checks to be carried out at the place of dispatch and in organizing those that could be carried ‘out at the place of destination; whereas such a solution would entail the suspension of veterinary checks at the Community’s internal frontiers; Whereas this solution ‘implies increased confidence in the veterinary checks carried out-by the State of dispatch; whereas the latter must ensure that such veterinary checks are carried out in an appropriate manner; Whereas in the State of destination spot veterinary checks could bé carried out at the place of destination; whereas, however, in the event of -a . serious. presumption of irregularity, the veterinary check could be carried out while the goods are in transit; Whereas it is for the Member States to specify in.a plan to be submitted the manner in which they intend to carry out the checks and whereas these plans-should be the subject of Community approval; Whereas provision must be made for the action to be taken where a veterinary check discloses that the consignment is - irregular; whereas in such a situation three possible solutions: may be singled out: the aim of the first would be to provide for the regularization of incorrect documents, that of the second to avert any danger where it is found that there has been an outbreak of an epizootic disease, any new serious and contagious disease or other cause likely to constitute a serious