Rodents and Lagomorphs for Scientific Purposes

1. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429, harmonises the rules and lays down guidelines and model health certificates for the import of live animals into the territory of the EU.

Non-harmonised animals are those for which no official certificates are laid down in EU legislation, therefore, national rules apply. National import conditions and models of health certificates have been drafted for the entry of these animals into the EU when destined for Ireland. These national rules are based on the guidelines issued in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692.

Rodents (mice, rats, guinea pigs…) and lagomorphs (rabbits, hares and pikas) for Scientific Purposes are non-harmonised animals.

2. Other EU rules, such as the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (Directive 2010/63/EU), the protection of animal welfare in transport, (Regulation (EC) 1/2005) or the requirement for authorised transporters still apply for non-harmonised animals.

3.The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is the competent authority under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

4. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) are responsible for CITES (endangered species) licensing, and information about invasive alien species. Please contact them to ensure all CITES requirements are met in advance of any import of endangered species. National Parks & Wildlife Service webpage and email: CITES@npws.gov.ie.

5. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority for protecting animals for scientific purposes, licensing each animal study, premises, researchers and operators according to strict legal and regulatory conditions and monitoring compliance. Please contact them to ensure the laboratory is licenced to use live animals for scientific purposes.

1. Rodents and Lagomorphs for Scientific Purposes must comply with the general import requirements for all species of live animals on gov.ie - Live Animal Imports.

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

3. The laboratory of destination must be authorised by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).

4. Rodents and lagomorphs for scientific purposes must comply with the import conditions specified in the VET 23 licence, if originating from GB or the USA, or the conditions listed in the health certificate, if originating from other Third Countries, as per the below sections.

5. For import conditions for rodents and lagomorphs not for scientific purposes, please see ‘Other Mammals imports’ or Pet Travel Portal’.

The import of live rodents and lagomorphs for scientific purposes from GB and USA to Ireland is permitted under a DAFM licence, called a VET 23 licence. Upon successful completion of the application, a VET 23 annual licence will be issued to the laboratory of destination.

(If a laboratory receives animals from different suppliers in GB and the USA, a VET 23 annual licence will be required for each supplier).

The import into Ireland of live rodents and lagomorphs for scientific purposes is permitted with the following conditions:

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

2. Each consignment must enter through an approved Border Control Post (BCP).

3. Each consignment must be accompanied by a copy of an import licence Vet23 issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.

4. Part 1 of a CHED-A must be submitted on TRACES-NT. In addition, a copy of the Vet23 licence must be transmitted to the BCP of entry via the DAFM import portal at least 24 hours before arrival.

5. Each consignment must bear a label with the following words visibly and legibly displayed “FOR SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES”.

6. Each consignment must be transported in accordance with IATA and ADR Regulations, as appropriate, and travel directly from the Border Control Post to the laboratory of destination indicated on the licence.

7. During transport and storage, the animals must not be allowed to come into contact with animals or products of a different animal or public health status.

8. The rodents/lagomorphs are not for human consumption, re-sale or supply to any other establishment and must not be removed from the laboratory of destination.

9. The rodents/lagomorphs imported under this licence may not be used for any other activity other than for scientific purposes.

10. If at any time the conditions of the licence cannot be met or a pathogen is discovered in the imported rodents/lagomorphs, work must be suspended, and the particulars reported to AnimalProductImports@agriculture.gov.ie.

11. Following the use of the animals, they must be humanely euthanised in accordance with Annex IV of Directive 2010/63/EU. The animals must not be released into the wild at any time in Ireland.

12. Any products derived from the use of these animals must be destroyed in accordance with Section 1 of Chapter III of Annex XIV of Regulation (EC) No. 142/2011.

13. The operator of the licence must maintain accurate records regarding the import and disposal of each consignment imported under the VET 23 licence. These records may be requested for a renewal application.

14. The import licence is issued without prejudice to import controls that may be required other than for public or animal health reasons and does not exempt importers from any prohibition, regulation or restriction imposed by any other Agency or Department.

Licence Application

To apply for a VET 23 licence the following documentation is required:

• A completed VET 23 application form

• A signed Declaration from the Establishment of Origin - VET 23 ANNEX I document

• A copy of the Authorisation of Users under Scientific Animal Protection Legislation (HPRA Establishment Authorisation)

The completed documentation should be sent to: AnimalProductImports@agriculture.gov.ie and the original signed copy posted to:

Note: The licence will not be issued until the original signed copy of the application form has been received by post.

Further queries regarding the import of rodents and lagomorphs for scientific purposes should be directed to: AnimalProductImports@agriculture.gov.ie.

The application form should be accompanied by a Health Declaration signed and dated by The Director/Person responsible for the establishment of origin of the rodents/lagomorphs committing to meet the following conditions:

a. Any consignment of rodents/lagomorphs exported under licence to Ireland will not contain any known pathogenic agent.

b. Precautions will be taken to eliminate potential public and animal health risks during handling, packaging and dispatch.

c. The establishment of origin is under veterinary supervision, and it is not subject to animal health or animal welfare restrictions.

d. The live rodents/lagomorphs intended to be exported under licence to Ireland will be born and reared and originate from the establishment and have been kept securely on the establishment.

e. The live rodents/lagomorphs intended to be imported under licence to Ireland will be examined by an authorised veterinarian, OR, in the case of animals consigned to and from a licensed research facility, by a suitably qualified responsible person of the facility, within 24 hours of loading to ensure they are showing no clinical sign of disease, nor that there is reason to suspect they have been exposed to an infectious disease prior to dispatch, and to deem them fit for the intended journey.

f. Arrangements will be made to transport the animals in compliance with Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005, IATA guidelines and/or CITES guidelines for transport, where applicable, or of other recognised international standards for transport of animals, in particular as regards watering, feeding and the use of the transport container.

g. The transport box or container in which the animals will be loaded into, is used for the first time or will be cleaned and disinfected before loading with an officially authorised disinfectant in the Third Country of origin, and will be so constructed that faeces, urine, litter or fodder cannot flow or fall out of the vehicle or container during transportation.

h. The outer packaging of each consignment will be labelled “FOR SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES” and the consignment is to be used for no other purpose.

Authorisation of Users under Scientific Animal Protection Legislation

The HPRA is the competent authority for the protection of animals for scientific purposes, to ensure that procedures involving the use of scientific animals adhere to the relevant EU and national legislation. A laboratory that will use animals for scientific or educational purposes, must first be vetted by the HPRA, and be granted an authorisation. A copy of this authorisation must be provided when applying for a VET 23 licence.

Third countries are countries outside the EU, Northern Ireland, Andorra, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and San Marino

(For imports of rodents and lagomorphs from EU countries, Northern Ireland, Andorra, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and San Marino contact: Livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie).

1. The country and region of origin of the animals must be a WOAH member country.

2. The laboratory of destination must be authorised by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).

3. Consignments of these animals must be accompanied by the appropriate veterinary certificate drawn up in accordance with the relevant model heath certificate.

4. The official veterinarian in the exporting non-EU country must ensure that the relevant sections are complied with and completed in the veterinary health certificate.

5. The certificate must accompany the consignment en-route to the EU and be presented with the animals when they are presented for entry into the EU at an approved EU Border Control Post (BCP). If you are entering through a non-Irish BCP please ensure that this health cert is acceptable to the BCP of entry, as they may have their own requirements.

6. There may be CITES certificates required for endangered species, please contact the NPWS at CITES@npws.gov.ie for information about this. These documents must be in order before any movement, if required.

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-A), as is laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No. 2019/1715, through the online TRACES NT system.

3. Copies of other supporting documentation associated with the consignment should be submitted at this time as well - such as the VET 23 Licence or 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 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 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 rodents and lagomorphs may only enter Ireland through an approved Border Control Post (BCP) designated as ‘LA: O’ for other live animals.

In Ireland, Dublin Airport, Dublin Port and Rosslare EuroPort BCPs are all approved for ‘O’ animals that includes rodents and lagomorphs.

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 health certificate/VET 23 import licence and other documents accompanying a consignment.

The original hard copy of the health certificate/hard copy of the VET 23 import 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-A which must accompany the consignment to the place of destination referred to in the CHED-A. The consignment must travel directly to the laboratory of destination as indicated on the CHED-A and health certificate/VET 23 import licence.

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.