Import of animal by-products: Frogs’ legs

1. Frogs’ legs, as defined in Annex 1 of Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004, refer to the posterior part of the body divided by a transverse cut behind the front limbs, eviscerated and skinned, of the species RNA (family Ranidae).

2. Frogs’ legs can be imported provided they:

• come from an approved country/part of a country
• come from an EU approved establishment
• are accompanied by an agreed animal/public health certificate

3. The frogs’ legs must have been produced in accordance with the conditions laid down in:

a. Council Directive 2002/99/EC laying down the animal health rules governing the production, processing, distribution and introduction of products of animal origin for human consumption

b. Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety

c. Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs

d. Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 laying down specific rules for food of animal origin

e. Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 laying down specific rules for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption

f. Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules

1. Consignment of frogs’ legs shall only be authorised for entry into the union from Third Countries or regions thereof in Annex III of Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/626.

2. Frogs’ legs must be produced in establishments approved to export to the EU:

See list here (Section XI: Frogs’ legs and snails)

3. Frogs’ legs must have been handled and, where appropriate, prepared, packaged and stored in a hygienic manner in accordance with the requirements of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.

4. Consignments must originate from frogs that have been bled, prepared and, where appropriate, chilled, frozen or processed, packaged and stored in a hygienic manner in accordance with the requirements of Section XI of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004.

5. Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein have international agreements with the EU which means that they implement EU veterinary legislation in relation to the movement of animal products. Animal products from these countries must comply with the same requirements applying to animal products from EU Member States and are therefore not subject to veterinary checks. Other Third Countries have special conditions associated with the import of meat, minced meat and offal of bovine animals. Further information can be found in the following legislation relevant to that particular country:

6. Other Third Countries have special conditions associated with the importation of animal products. Further information can be found in the following legislation relevant to that particular country:

• Canada: Council Decision 1999/201/EC
• China: Decision 2002/994/EC
• New Zealand: Commission Decision 2015/1084 (EU); Decision 2015/1901
• Japan: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/6
• Switzerland: Decision of the Council and of the Commission 2002/309/EC; Regulation (EC) No. 599/2004
• USA: Council Decision 1998/258/EC

1. Frogs’ legs shall be presented at a Community Border Inspection Post accompanied by a veterinary health certificate, drawn up in conformity with the Model FRG based on Part 1 of Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 2016/759.

2. The certifying veterinarian should ensure that only the relevant paragraphs and, where appropriate, additional guarantees and/or special conditions applicable to exporting country are included.

1. Consignments of frogs’ legs entering the EU must be inspected at an EU-approved Border control Post (BCP) where Member States' official veterinarians ensure they fulfil all the requirements provided for in the EU legislation.

2. The person responsible for the load being imported (the importer or a customs agent acting on their behalf) must give the BCP at the intended point of entry advance notification of the arrival of the consignment.

3. There is a required minimum pre-notification notice period of at least 24 hours’ notice in advance of the consignment’s arrival.

4. Failure to submit correct documentation within this timeline may result in significant delays in the consignment being processed through the Border Control Post.

5. Pre-notification is given by the submission of Part 1 of the Common Health Entry Document (CHED-P), as is laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No. 2019/1715, through the online TRACES NT

6. Copies of other supporting documentation associated with the consignment should be submitted at this time as well - such as the Health Certificate, Invoice, Packing list and so on.

1. Providing all the documentation has been submitted correctly and within the correct timeframes, a large proportion of the documentary check can be commenced in advance of the consignment’s arrival. This includes examination of the veterinary certificate and other documents accompanying a consignment.

A. Please note the original hard copy of the health certificate must travel with the consignment, this will be checked and held at the BCP at the point of entry into the EU.

2. Provided all is in order with the documentary check, the consignment will then be subject to an identity check at the BCP to ensure it identifies with the consignment that was declared in the documentation.

3. A proportion of consignments will be selected for a full physical inspection with/without sampling as appropriate.

4. Upon satisfactory completion of the required checks, the decision is entered in Part 2 of the CHED which must accompany the consignment to the first place of destination referred to in the CHED.

5. If the consignment does not meet the import requirements, the consignment may be rejected and either re-exported or destroyed.