1.Samples taken as a part of non-discriminatory spot checks shall be taken as soon as possible and in any case not later than two working days after the date of arrival of the animals at the place of destination mentioned on the certificate or document referred to in Article 3 (1) (d) of Directive 90/425/EEC.
2.The time limit of two working days shall not apply to checks carried out by the competent authorities on the basis of information which leads to presume that an infringement has occured.
3.Without prejudice to paragraph 1, where the consignee is an intermediary redistributing the animals, as referred to in Article 5 (1) (b) (iii) of Directive 90/425/EEC, a further period of two working days shall apply from the arrival of the animals at their final national destination in the Member State.