IMPORT FROM THIRD COUNTRIES AND INTRACOMMUNITY TRADE
Import of Products (Council Directive 97/78/EC)
This Directive applies to products imported from third countries, particularly:
- Foodstuffs of animal origin
- Animal feed
- Plant products which increase the risk of spreading of infectious or contagious animal diseases
- By-products not intended for human consumption
According to this Directive, all consigments from third countries should be subject to veterinary controls before being placed on the EU market. These controls are carried out by the competent authority present at border inspection posts under the supervision of an official veterinarian.These controls consist of:
- Document control: Verification of veterinary certificates and documents accompanying the consignment.
- Identification control: Controls carried out to verify that the information provided in the accompanying certificate and documents match the information regarding the product.
- Physical control: Controls carried out to verify that the products (packaging, temperature, sampling and laboratory test results) meet the requirements of EU legislation.
In situations which pose a serious threat to animal health or public health, the Commission may suspend the import or adopt special rules concerning the whole or a certain area of a country.
Controls on Live Animal Imports (Council Directive 91/496/EEC)
This Directive lays down the rules on external border controls and intra-Community movement of live animals coming from third Countries.
Veterinary Controls
According to this Directive, all live animal consignments coming from third countries should be subject to veterinary controls before being placed on the EU market. These controls are carried out by the competent authority present at border inspection posts under the supervision of an official veterinarian.
These controls consist of:
- Document control: Verification of certificates and veterinary documents accompanying each animal consignment.
- Identification control: Verification by comparing the information provided in the documents or certificates and the animal, and if present, the location of body markings by inspection
- Physical control: Checking the live animal and if appropriate, carrying out additional controls during the quarantine period, including sampling and laboratory tests, if available.
Transit of Animals Coming from Third Countries
Council Directive 91/496/EEC lays down the conditions of animal transport from one third country to another. If necessary, the competent authority may decide to place the animals under quarantine, re-export them or send them to a slaughterhouse.
Intra-Community Trade and Import of Certain Animals and Their Semen, Ova and Embryos (Council Directive 92/65/EEC)
Council Directive 92/65/EEC lays down the animal health conditions necessary for the trade and import of live animals, semen, ova and embryos which are not specified under a specific Community legislation.
The Directive lays down the necessary health conditions for the trade of zoo animals, ungulates and birds, camels, bees, rabbits (lagomorphs), mink, foxes, etc. which are not covered by a specific directive and pet cats, dogs and ferrets.
TRACES System (Commission Decision 2003/623/EC)
Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) has established a single and central database in order to trace the movements of animals and products of animal origin within the EU or coming from outside.
Properties:
- Electronical transmission of information
- Central management of legal reference data
- Ability to work with other information systems
- Multilingual interface
By being involved in the TRACES system, the establishments can be registered by their competent authority.
Animal Health and Public Health: Other Products of Animal Origin (92/118/EEC)
Council Directive 92/118/EEC covers certain products of animal origin, particularly animal intestines not intended for human consumption, processed animal proteins intended for human consumption, blood and blood products of ungulates and poultry, poultry meat and farmed game.
The Council should authorise the trade or import of any new products of animal origin, afterwards an assessment should be made by the Commission and if appropriate, the opinion of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) should be sought. This assessment is not only made for the animal species from which the product was derived, but is also made for other species which may carry the disease, become a source of disease or pose a risk to human health.
Placing on the Market of Purebred Animals (92/65/EEC)
Council Directive 92/65/EEC lays down the rules on the marketing of purebred animals other than cattle, swine, sheep, goat and horses and their semen, ova and embryos.
The following conditions should be met for placing on the market:
- Criteria necessary for the approval of breeder organizations or associations
- Criteria necessary for pedigree registration
- Criteria necessary for the reproduction of purebred animals or the use of their semen, ova and embryos
- Certificate necessary for placing on the market
http://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/index_en.htm