2.4.2004 Official Journal of the European Union L 98/55 COMMISSION DECISION of 30 March 2004 derogating from Decisions 2003/803/EC and 2004/203/EC as regards the format for certificates and passports for the non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets and amending Decision 2004/203|EC (notified under document number C(2004) 1068) (Text with EEA relevance) (2004/301/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the Euro- pean Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals and amending Council Directive 92/ 65/EEC (Y), and in particular Articles 8(4) and 21 thereof, Whereas: (1) Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 establishes veterinary conditions applying to non-commercial movements of pet dogs, cats and ferrets. (2)  Commission Decision 2003/803/EC (}) establishes a model passport for non-commercial movements of animals of those species between Member States, and Commission Decision 2004/203/EC (°) establishes a model certificate for non-commercial movements from third countries. (3)  From 3 July 2004 documents complying with those models should be presented to the authorities respon- sible for checks. (4)  To facilitate the transition to the arrangements of Regu- lation (EC) No 998/2003, certificates issued for non- commercial entry into a Member State before that Regu- lation applies, should be considered valid until their expiry date if they comply with the conditions estab- lished by that Regulation. (5)  Nevertheless, as regard the specific situation of Member States listed in Annex II, part A, it is appropriate to maintain during this transitional period the national conditions applicable to the acceptance of rabies certifi- cation. (6) It is also appropriate to recognise as valid antibody titra- tions performed on the basis of national provisions which were applicable before the adoption of Commis- 0] L 146, 13.6.2003, p. 1. () OJL 312, 27.11.2003, p. 1. OJ L 65, 3.3.2004, p. 13. sion Decision 2001/296EC of 29 March 2001 author- ising laboratories to check the effectiveness of vaccina- tion against rabies in certain domestic carnivores (*). (7)  Furthermore, taking into account the request of certain third countries, the model passport established by Deci- sion 2003/803/EC for non-commercial intra-Community movements of dogs, cats and ferrets should be recog- nised as valid for non-commercial movements of animals of those species from third countries listed in section 2 of part B of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 as an alternative to the certificates in force for movements from third countries. (8)  Since Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 will apply from 3 July 2004, this Decision should apply from the same date. (9)  The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Atrticle 1 By way of derogation from Decisions 2003/803/EC and 2004/ 203[EC, and with regard to rabies certifications, Member States shall authorise the non-commercial movement between Member States and from third countries of dogs, cats and ferrets accompanied by a certificate in a format different to the models established by those Decisions provided that it meets the following requirements: (a) it has been issued before 3 July 2004; (b) its period of validity has not expired; and (c) it attests compliance with conditions established by Regu- lation (EC) No 998/2003. Nevertheless, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Sweden may maintain the national conditions applicable before 3 July 2004 for the acceptance of rabies certification. () OJ L 102, 12.4.2001, p. 58.