2003/584/EC: Council Decision of 22 July 2003 concerning the conclusion of the Protocol of Amendment to the European Convention for the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes

• Articles: 5

Article 1

The Protocol of Amendment to the European Convention for the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes is hereby approved on behalf of the European Community.

The text of the Protocol of Amendment is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person or persons empowered to sign the Protocol of Amendment in accordance with Article 4(1)(a) thereof, in order to express the consent of the Community to be bound thereby.

Article 3

The signature by the Community shall only take place once those Member States who are also Parties to the European Convention referred to in Article 1 of this Decision have completed procedures to conclude the Protocol of Amendment pursuant to Article 4 thereof. Member States shall inform the Commission as soon as possible when they have completed the necessary procedures.

Article 4

The reservation in respect of Article 28(1) of the said Convention made by the European Community as laid down in Annex B to Decision 1999/575/EC shall remain unaltered.

Article 5

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 22 July 2003.

For the Council

The President

G. Alemanno

(1) OJ C 25 E, 29.1.2002, p. 538-540.

(2) Opinion of 2 July 2002 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

(3) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986, p. 1.

(4) OJ L 222, 24.8.1999, p. 29.