
Article 1 

1. By way of derogation from Article 5(1) of Directive 2000/29/EC in conjunction with points 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 of Section I of Part A of Annex IV to that Directive, Member States may authorise the introduction into their territory of wood and isolated bark of ash (Fraxinus L.), originating in Canada and the United States of America, which satisfy the conditions set out in the Annex to this Decision.
2. By way of derogation from Article 5(1) of Directive 2000/29/EC in conjunction with point 2.5 of Section I of Part A of Annex IV to that Directive, Member States may authorise the introduction into their territory of objects made of bark of ash (Fraxinus L.), originating in Canada and the United States of America, which satisfy the conditions set out in point (4) of the Annex to this Decision.
Article 2 
The phytosanitary certificate, as set out in Article 13(1)(ii) of Directive 2000/29/EC, shall be issued in either Canada or the United States of America. It shall include under the ‘Additional declaration’ the following elements:

((a)) a statement ‘In accordance with EU requirements laid down in Commission Implementing Decision 2014/924/EU
((b)) where applicable, an indication of which condition is satisfied as set out in point (1), (2) or (3) of the Annex;
((c)) where applicable, the name of the pest free area within the meaning of points (1), (2) or (3) of the Annex.
Article 3 
Member States shall notify the Commission and the other Member States of each consignment not complying with the conditions set out in the Annex.
That notification shall take place no later than three working days after the date of the interception of such a consignment.
Article 4 
This Decision shall expire on 31 December 2015.
Article 5 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 16 December 2014.
For the Commission
Vytenis ANDRIUKAITIS
Member of the Commission
ANNEX

The wood and isolated bark of ash (Fraxinus L.) referred to in Article 1(1) shall satisfy, as applicable, the conditions set out in point (1), (2) or (3). That wood and bark, as referred to in Article 1(1), and the other objects made of bark of ash (Fraxinus L.), as referred to in Article 1(2), shall satisfy point (4).

((1)) Wood of ash (Fraxinus L.), whether or not listed among CN codes in Part B of Annex V to Directive 2000/29/EC, including wood which has not kept its natural round surface, shall satisfy either of the following conditions:

((a)) it originates in an area established by the national plant protection organisation in the country of export as being free from Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire in accordance with the relevant International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures; or
((b)) it is squared so as to remove entirely the round surface.
This point shall not apply to wood in the form of:

((a)) chips, obtained in whole or part from these trees,
((b)) wood packaging material, in the form of packing cases, boxes, crates, drums and similar packings, pallets, box pallets and other load boards, pallet collars, actually in use in the transport of objects of all kinds,
((c)) wood used to wedge or support non-wood cargo.
((2)) Wood in the form of chips obtained in whole or part from ash (Fraxinus L.), whether or not listed among CN codes in Part B of Annex V to Directive 2000/29/EC, shall satisfy either of the following conditions:

((a)) it originates in an area established by the national plant protection organisation in the country of export as being free from Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire in accordance with the relevant International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures; or
((b)) it has been processed into pieces of not more than 2,5 cm thickness and width.
((3)) Isolated bark of ash (Fraxinus L.) shall satisfy either of the following conditions:

((a)) it originates in an area established by the national plant protection organisation in the country of export as being free from Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire in accordance with the relevant International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures; or
((b)) it has been processed into pieces of not more than 2,5 cm thickness and width.
((4)) Wood of ash (Fraxinus L.), wood in the form of chips obtained in whole or part from ash (Fraxinus L.) and isolated bark of ash (Fraxinus L.), as covered by point (1), (2) or (3), and other objects made of bark of ash (Fraxinus L.), as referred to in Article 1(2), shall have been subject to visual inspections, sampling and testing as appropriate to the properties of those plant products and other objects, to ensure that they are free from Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire in accordance with the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No 23 on guidelines for inspection.
