Non Harmonised Imports - Primates

No official certificates are laid down in EU legislation for the import of non-harmonised animals. Therefore national rules apply to the import of primates into Ireland from third countries.

A licencing system applies to the entry of primates into the EU which are destined for an approved confined establishment in Ireland. See section Vet 22 Licence below.

Primates may only be imported to an approved confined establishment and accompanied by a completed health certificate and licence issued by DAFM.

1. Primates must comply with the general import conditions for live animals on gov.ie - Live Animal Imports.

2. The country and region of origin described must be a WOAH member country.

3. The premises of origin must be registered and /or approved by a competent authority in the third country and must not subject to animal health or animal welfare official controls or restrictions.

4. The premises of origin is free from Ebola, MPOX, Tuberculosis and Rabies for at least one year prior to the date of dispatch to Ireland and in which the animals have remained since birth or for at least one year prior to dispatch to Ireland.

5. Primates must comply with the import requirements specified in the Vet 22 licence and health certificate.

- Authorisation for the entry into the EU of non-authorised animals must be provided in advance of their movement from the Dept of Agriculture – a Vet22 Licence.

- The application form, including details on relevant contacts, is provided below.

Consignments of primates imported from third countries must be accompanied by the health certificate ‘Health Certificate for the Entry of Primates into the EU destined for Ireland’.

1. Consignments of live animals 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.

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, Licence, 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 live animals 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 non harmonised import controls are carried out at an approved Border Control Post (BCP) that is designated to deal with that species of animal. A consignment of primates may only enter Ireland through an approved Border Control Post (BCP) designated ‘O’ for other animals that includes primates.

Dublin Port and Rosslare port BCPs are all approved for ‘O’ animals including primates.

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 and licence 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 live animals will then be subject to an identity check and 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. The consignment must travel directly to the approved confined establishment as indicated on the CHED, licence and health certificate.

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