Import of Food Samples (POAO and Composite Products for product analysis and quality testing)

1. 'Food Samples’ refer to Samples of Product of Animal Origin and Composite Products for product analysis and quality testing, including organoleptic testing

2. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2122 exempts samples of products of animal origin and of composite products for product analysis and quality testing, including organoleptic testing from official controls at a BCP, provided that they comply with the requirements listed below

3. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 provides the model health certificates which are applicable to products of animal origin at their entry to the Union.

4. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 provides the lists of third countries, territories or zone from which the entry into the Union of products of animal origin is permitted in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council (i.e. where Animal Health requirements are applicable to the animal product)

5. Commission Implementing regulation (EU) 2021/405 provides the lists of third countries or regions thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of certain goods intended for human consumption in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625 (i.e. where no animal health requirements are applicable to the product)

1. Each consignment must be delivered directly to the establishment of destination indicated on the licence

2. The consignment (sample) must be accompanied by

a. A copy of a Vet20 import licence issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine,

and

b. An official health certificate in accordance with the model relevant to the type of animal product contained in the sample. Only the animal health attestations need to be completed in the health certificate, the public health attestations can be struck-through by the official veterinarian completing the health certificate.

3. The samples must originate from a third country, or region thereof, listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 or Regulation (EU) 2021/405 for the relevant POAO contained in the sample. For example, a dairy product must come from a third country listed in either Annex XVII or XVIII depending on the processing treatment applied to the dairy product.

4. A copy of the licence and of the official health certificate must be transmitted by the clearing agent along with the relevant MRN of the consignment via email to the BCP of entry of the sample at the time of import. The MRN is a unique Customs reference number that is applied to imports at the point of declaration of the import by the customs agent. Your customs agent will have access to this number.

Shannon Airport - BCP.ShanAirport@agriculture.gov.ie; Dublin Airport - BIPS.DubAirport@agriculture.gov.ie

5. The consignment must be imported through either Dublin Airport BCP or Shannon Airport BCP. The consignment does not need to be presented for checks unless requested by an officer at the BCP.

6. The samples of product of animal origin or composite product imported must comply with the relevant requirements laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/692

7. The maximum amount of samples imported per licence that are exempted from official controls at a Border Control Post shall not exceed 25 kilograms. The quantity of sample imported must match that specified on the licence.

8. The consignment must bear a label with the following words visibly and legibly displayed “food samples”.

9. The consignment must be transported in accordance with IATA and ADR Regulations as appropriate and travel directly from the authorised point of entry to the establishment referred to at point (1).

10. When importing from a third country via another Member State, the consignment must be presented at an approved Union border control post in the Member State of entry listed at Contact details of BCPs - veterinary (europa.eu)Contact details of BCPs - veterinary (europa.eu) in accordance with Art 4 of Regulation 2019/2122.

11. The samples are for examination in the context of product analysis and quality testing, including organoleptic analysis at the approved establishment.

12. The samples are not for re-sale or supply to any other establishment and must not be removed from the establishment of destination as indicated on the licence.

13. The samples may not be used in a manufacturing process or in the final production of a finished product or mixed with food intended for placing on the market; in validation or verification during a manufacturing process; or in quality control of a finished product intended to be placed on the market.

14. Users at the approved establishment shall take all necessary measures to avoid the spreading of disease communicable to humans or animals during the handling of the materials under their control, in particular by way of good hygiene practice.

15. Unless kept for reference purposes or re-dispatched to the third country of origin, samples of POAO or composite product, and any products derived from the use of those samples must be destroyed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009

16. The operator at the approved establishment must keep a register of consignments of samples of POAO or composite products received including the use of the samples. A template Register of Consignments of Food Samples is available below

An electronic copy of this register will need to be submitted with all Vet 20 Licence applications subsequent to the first importation of a food sample under the Vet 20 licencing system.

1. Application forms for a Vet 20 licence must be completed for each intended importation of ‘food samples’ using the ‘Vet 20 Application Form’ below

2. The original completed signed application form should be submitted to Animal Product Imports, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, 1 East Agriculture House, Kildare Street Dublin2, DO2 WK12. A licence will not be issued until the original signed copy of the application form has been received.

3. To expedite the processing of an application, a scanned copy of the signed completed application form, along with the Register of Consignments of Food samples (if previous importations have been made under a Vet 20 licence) should be sent to animalproductimports@agriculture.gov.ie

4. If incorrect information is provided in relation to the applicable health certificate, or any other aspect, a new application will need to be submitted. Please contact animalproductimports@agriculture.gov.ie if you have any queries prior to submission of an application.