1. The competent authority shall grant authorisations to transporters provided that:
(a)
the applicants are established, or in case of applicants established in a third country, are represented, in the Member State where they apply for authorisation;
(b)
the applicants have demonstrated that they have sufficient and appropriate staff, equipment and operational procedures at their disposal to enable them to comply with this Regulation, including where appropriate Good Practice Guides;
(c)
the applicants or their representatives have no record of serious infringements of Community legislation and/or national legislation on the protection of animals in the three years preceding the date of the application. This provision shall not apply where the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Competent Authority that it has taken all necessary measures to avoid further infringements.
2. The competent authority shall issue authorisations as provided for in paragraph 1 in accordance with the specimen set out in Chapter I of Annex III. Such authorisations shall be valid for not more than five years from the date of issue and shall not be valid for long journeys.