Import of Equine Germinal Products (Semen, Oocytes and Embryos)

‘Germinal products’ means semen, oocytes and embryos intended for artificial reproduction.

1. The requirements for entry into the Union of germinal products are based on the requirements for entry into the Union of live animals. The list of countries, territories or parts thereof authorised for the export of equine germinal products are laid down in Annex XII of Regulation (EU) 2021/404.

2.Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (‘Animal Health Law’) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 lay down the general rules for the entry into the Union of germinal products.

3.Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692, Articles 89 & 90 describes the specific rules for entry into the Union, and the movement and handling after entry of consignments of equine germinal products.

Chapter 1 of Part V of the Animal Health Law sets out the requirements for entry into the union of germinal products of ungulates as follows;

(a) they must come from a listed third country or territory listed in Annex XII of Regulation 2021/404

(b) they must come from establishments which are approved and listed - Establishment Lists - TRACES NT (europa.eu)

(c) they must fulfil the necessary animal health requirements for entry into the Union;

(d) they must be accompanied by an animal health certificate and by declarations and other documents where required.

• Title 1 of Part III of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 (Articles 79-85a) sets out the specific animal health requirements for germinal products of ungulates. The donor equine animals must have been resident in the third country for three months prior to the date of collection and comply with the other residency requirements in Article 80(b) of Reg 2020/692.

• Individually identified as per Article 21 of Reg 2020/692

• From approved and listed establishments as per Establishment Lists - TRACES NT (europa.eu)

• The germinal products must be marked, packaged, and transported in accordance with Articles 83 and 84.

Chapter 5 of Title I of Part III sets out specific animal health requirements for equine germinal products, regarding the establishment of origin’s freedom from diseases.

1. Consignments of equine germinal products from third countries must be accompanied by a health certificate, which conforms to the model as laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation 2021/403, which is signed by an official veterinarian or inspector of the veterinary authority in the country of origin.

Article 23 of this Regulation describes the model certificates available, the models of which are in Annex II of the same Regulation.

The model certificate type depends on when the germinal products were collected and produced, and the type of establishment from which it was dispatched.

The animal health certificates to be used for the entry into the Union of certain types of germinal products of equine animals shall correspond to one of the following models.

EQUI-SEM-A-Entry (chapter 59)

EQUI-SEM-B-Entry (chapter 60)

EQUI-SEM-C-Entry (chapter 61)

EQUI-SEM-D_Entry (chapter 62)

EQUI-OOCYTES-EMB-A-Entry (chapter 63)

EQUI-OOCYTES-EMB-B-Entry (chapter 64)

EQUI-OOCYTES-EMB-C-Entry (chapter 65)

EQUI-GP-PROCESSING-Entry (chapter 66)

EQUI-GP-STORAGE-Entry (chapter 67)

1. Consignments of germinal products 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 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.

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

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

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 system.

3. 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.

4. Necessary documents and logistical information must be submitted 24 hours in advance via the DAFM Import Portal.

1. All germinal products from third countries require veterinary checks at their point of entry into the European Union, as listed in the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/632.

2. EU harmonised import controls are carried out at an approved Border Control Post (BCP) that is designated to deal with that type of import. A consignment of equine germinal products may only enter Ireland through an approved Border Control Post (BCP) designated ‘POA’ (products of animal origin).

Dublin Port, Dublin airport, Shannon airport and Rosslare port BCPs are all approved for ‘POA’.

3. 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.

The original hard copy of the health certificate must travel with the consignment and will be checked and held at the BCP at the point of entry into the EU.

4. Provided all is in order with the documentary check, the consignment of equine germinal products will then be subject to an identity check and if required a physical check with/without sampling as appropriate at the BCP.

5. 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.

6. If the consignment does not meet the import requirements, the consignment may be rejected entry and re-exported or destroyed if necessary.