will be opened for signature by the Member States and the European Community in Chi>ISO_2>º>ISO_1>inau, in November 2003. General considerations 1. A large proportion of the animals carried in international transport are destined for slaughter in the receiving country. For these animals, the Parties to Convention ETS 65 at a multilateral consultation (hereafter, the Parties) recognised that for animal welfare reasons, the ideal would be to restrict this traffic to carcase meat thus ensuring that the animals were slaughtered in the country of origin. 2. For practical reasons, the Parties have endeavoured to detail the welfare requirements of the principal species only. However, they considered that humane treatment should extend to all species of animals. 3. The Parties have not established detailed rules and procedures for all the species covered by the Convention, because of their widely differing welfare requirements. 4. The Parties have established more detailed rules by type of transport rather than by species because the conditions which could affect the welfare of the animals transported are more dependent on the type of transport used. 5. The Parties have considered only those questions relating directly to the welfare requirements of animals in international transport. They recognised that these provisions are also, in general, relevant for transport within the territory of a contracting Party. 6. The Parties regarded consideration of civil responsibilities for fulfilling the provisions of the Convention as falling outside their mandate. 7. The Parties emphasise that the provisions of the revised Convention shall not interfere with the sanitary and veterinary regulations of the Parties. BRIEF COMMENTS ON CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE REVISED CONVENTION Title Because the word «protection» appears in the title, it is not thought to be necessary to emphasise that the animals concerned are live animals. The term «international transport» is preferred to the word 'transit' which, in several languages, includes only transports passing through one or more intermediate countries and might therefore give rise to difficulties in translation. Article 1 Definitions Paragraph 1 It is understood that the Convention applies to transport between a Member State of the European Community and a non-Member State of the European Community as well as to a transport between two Member States of the European Community, which will transit by a non-Member State of the European Community. Paragraphs 3 and 4 These definitions in no way prejudge civil or criminal law provisions in force at national level. Paragraph 6 It is understood that transport can be either for commercial or non-commercial purposes. Article 2 Species It is understood that international transport of circus animals falls under the scope of the revised Convention. Paragraph 1 This Convention applies to all vertebrate animals. However, some provisions may be inapplicable to certain species because of the biological characteristics of that species. Examples are the provisions on females in lactation in Article 21 of the Convention, which are not applicable to poultry, and the provisions on floors and bedding in Article 16 of the Convention, which are not applicable to fish. Paragraph 2(b) For the purpose of this Convention, «pet animal» means any animal kept or intended to be kept by man, in particular at home, for his enjoyment and as a companion. For the purpose of this Convention, horses are not considered as pet animals. For the purpose of this Convention, by «accompanying» is meant accessible to and under the control of its owner. This paragraph mainly concerns dogs and cats. However, the Parties wish to draw attention to the transport of animals described as pets when in fact they were being transported for commercial purposes. Article 3 Application of the Convention Paragraph 2 The objective of this provision is to ensure an appropriate system of training, each Party being free to choose the method of its establishment. It was agreed that although intended for the attendant initially, it should concern all persons involved in the transport of animals. It is understood that training is an ongoing process and applies therefore to both new and experienced personnel. Paragraph 3 While considering that the revised Convention only applies to international transport of animals, the Parties, considering that its provisions aim at protecting the welfare of the animals, recognised their relevance for transport within the territory of a contracting Party. Article 4 Main principles of the Convention Paragraph 3 Control points may be a border, or any other locations where any checks are carried out. This will include for example, spot checks carried out on, animals or vehicle during transport. Paragraph 5 Strikes and similar circumstances can severely affect the welfare of animals in transport and the Parties therefore felt it necessary to refer in the revised Convention to the need to protect animals as far as possible in such circumstances; but