draft commission decision of .... laying down the animal health conditions and certification requirements for imports of fish for ornamental purpose and amending decision 2003 858 ec sanco 10381 2005 rev 3 16 pp. 1 the list of countries authorized by decision 2003 858 ec to export live fish to the ec is supplemented with the countries listed in annex i to this proposal. 2 harmonized the model certificates are set for imports into the ec of ornamental fish to be kept permanently in aquaria including a fish caught in the wild imported for the purpose of being used as ornamental fish b ornamental fish imported by transshippers and wholesalers and c ornamental fish imported into pet shops garden centres garden ponds exhibition aquaria and similar businesses. 3 when adopted a transitional period of time would be provided for the implementation of these new import certification requirements further background in document g sps n eec 198 1 may 2003 the ec notified decision 2003 858 ec of 21 november 2003 laying down the animal health conditions and certification requirements for imports of live fish their eggs and gametes intended for farming and live fish of aquaculture origin and products thereof intended for human consumption. annex i to this decision sets a list of third countries - or parts thereof - from which member states are authorized to import live fish their eggs and gametes for farming as well as the animal health conditions and certification required therefore this decision does not apply to tropical ornamental fish kept permanently in aquaria. as a consequence the animal health conditions and certification requirements for tropical ornamental fish are not harmonised at community level. certain third countries have submitted comments to the commission on the application of decision 2003 858 ec to ornamental fish and the necessity to create harmonized trade conditions with a view to facilitate the circulation of imported consignments. further to these comments the commission has been informed of the existence of a significant intercommunity trade of ornamental fish imported from third countries. in view of these circumstances and with a view to facilitate imports and intra-community trade the present commission proposal is submitted for opinion to the standing committee on the food chain and animal health