
Article 1 
Pursuant to Article 22(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002, a derogation is granted to Finland with regard to the feeding of the following fur animals with processed animal protein derived from the bodies or parts of bodies of animals of the same species:

((a)) foxes (Vulpes vulpes and Alopex lagopus); and
((b)) raccoon dogs (Nycteroites procynoides).
Article 2 
The competent authority may grant approval to registered farms for the feeding of the species referred to in Article 1 with processed animal protein derived from the bodies or parts of bodies of animals of the same species. Such approval shall only be granted to registered farms:

((a)) on the basis of an application that is accompanied by documentation proving that there is no reason to suspect the presence of the TSE agent in the population of the species covered by the application;
((b)) where an appropriate surveillance system for TSEs in fur animals is in place and includes regular laboratory testing of samples for TSE; and
((c)) providing appropriate guarantees that no animal by-product or processed animal protein derived from those animals or their offspring may enter the food or feed chain of other animals than fur animals;
((d)) where the farm has had no known contact with any farm with a suspected or confirmed outbreak of TSE;
((e)) where the responsible person of the registered farm complies with the requirements set out in Annex IX to Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 and in the Annex to this Decision.
Article 3 

1. The competent authority shall take the necessary measures to control:
(a) the appropriate composition, processing and use of the feed containing processed animal protein derived from the bodies or parts of bodies of animals of the same species;
(b) the animals that are fed with the feed referred to in point (a), including:
((i)) strict supervision of the health status of those animals;
((ii)) appropriate TSE surveillance involving regular sampling and laboratory examination for TSEs;
(c) that the requirements of Article 2 are fulfilled.
2. The samples referred to in paragraph 1(b)(ii) shall include samples taken from animals showing neurological symptoms and from older breeding animals.
Article 4 
An approval as provided for in Article 2 shall be immediately suspended in the event of suspected or confirmed contact with any farm with a suspected or confirmed outbreak of TSE until the risk of contamination may be conclusively excluded.
Article 5 
Finland shall immediately take the necessary measures to comply with this Decision and publish those measures. It shall immediately inform the Commission thereof.
Article 6 
This Decision shall apply from 1 May 2003.
Article 7 
This Decision is addressed to the Republic of Finland.
Done at Brussels, 12 May 2003.
For the Commission
David BYRNE
Member of the Commission
ANNEX
A.  1. 

((a)) the fur and carcases of animals fed with processed animal protein of their own species; and
((b)) each consignment in order to ensure the tractability of the material.
 2. 

((a)) inform the competent authority of such contact; and
((b)) cease the dispatch of fur animals to any destination without a written authorisation of the competent authority.

B.  1. 

((a)) the carcases of fur animals intended for feeding to animals of the same species are handled and processed separately from carcases not authorised for that purpose;
((b)) fur animals fed with processed animal protein derived from animals of the same species are kept separate from animals not being fed with processed animal protein derived from animals of the same species.
 2. 

((a)) have been processed in a processing plant approved under Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 and using only methods 1 to 5 or 7 as set out in Annex V, Chapter III to that Regulation;
((b)) have been produced from healthy animals killed for the production of fur;
((c)) have been produced from animals, which were not fed with processed animal protein derived from the same species during the last 24 hours before killing.
