Decisions on consignments
Article 55
1. A decision shall be taken by the competent authorities on each consignment of the categories of animals and goods referred to in Article 47(1) following the performance of official controls including documentary and, where necessary, identity checks and physical checks, indicating whether the consignment is in compliance with the rules referred to in Article 1(2) and, where relevant, the applicable customs procedure. 2. Decisions on consignments shall be taken by: (a) an official veterinarian where they concern animals, products of animal origin, germinal products or animal by-products; or (b) an official plant health officer where they concern plants, plant products and other objects. 3. By way of derogation from point (a) of paragraph 2, competent authorities may decide that the decision on consignments of fishery products, live bivalve molluscs, live echinoderms, live tunicates and live marine gastropods intended for human consumption, be taken by appropriately trained staff who have been specifically designated by competent authorities for that purpose.