General Import Requirements

1. Health Status

Live animals may only enter the Union if they;

• Are not animals to be killed under a disease eradication programme
• Did not show signs of transmissible disease at the time of loading for dispatch to the Union
• Originate from an establishment that is not subject to animal health restriction measures

2. Establishment of Origin

• Must be registered by the competent authority of the third country or territory of origin and assigned a unique registration number
• In certain circumstances, the establishment of origin must be approved (see specific species for rules)
• It must have a system in place to maintain records for a minimum of 3 years concerning details of animals on the establishment, movements on/off the establishment and mortalities
• It must receive regular animal health visits from a veterinarian for the purpose of detection of diseases.

3. Sampling

Samples as required (depending on species specific requirements) must be

• Performed on samples taken by, or under the control of the competent authority of the third country/territory of origin
• In accordance with EU regulations
• In an official, designated laboratory

4. Residency period

• Specific residency periods apply to each species of animal. Please see species specific sections for details on applicable residency requirements

5. Inspection prior to dispatch

• Live animals must have been subjected to a clinical inspection by an official veterinarian within the period of 24 hours prior to the time of loading for dispatch to the Union. Derogations from this timeframe are applicable to registered horses and poultry. Please see species specific sections for more details.

6. Travel/Dispatch

Live animals shall only be permitted to enter the Union if, from the time of loading for dispatch to the Union until the time of their arrival in the Union, they have not been in contact with other live animals of;

• The same species which are not intended for entry into the Union
• Other species which are listed for the same diseases which are not intended for entry into the Union
• A lower health status

Live animals must not be transported through, unloaded or transhipped in a third country or territory which is not listed for the entry into the Union of the specific species and category of animals and their intended use in the Union. Transhipment refers to the unloading of animals from one means of transport to another within the same facility (e.g. changing aircraft). If animals stay on the same means of transport (i.e. do not change aircraft) this is termed ‘onward transportation’.

A derogation applies to the transhipment of equine animals in a non-listed third country. Please see the species specific section for requirements in these cases.

When transported by sea, the animals must be accompanied by a declaration, attached to the animal health certificate and signed by the master of the vessel, providing the following information;

• Port of departure
• Port of arrival
• Other ports of call
• Confirmation that the animals have remained on board and that they have not been in contact with animals of a lower health status while on board

7. Transport requirements (inc container)

**The means of transport must be constructed in such a way that the animals cannot escape/fall out, visual inspection of space where animals is kept is possible, the escape of animal excrement, litter (inc feathers) and feed is prevented/minimised.

The means of transport should be cleaned and disinfected, and allowed to dry immediately before every loading of animals intended for entry into the Union**

These points do not apply to bumblebees

Containers in which live animals are transported must only contain animals of the same species and category, and coming from the same establishment

Containers must be either;

• Unused or disposable containers to be destroyed after first use, or
• Cleaned, disinfected and dried before loading of the animals

8. Movement and Handling after entry

Following their entry into the Union, live animals should be transported directly to the establishment of destination as indicated on the CHED-A.

Animals must remain at the establishment of destination for a set time period following their entry to the Union. Please refer to the species specific section for details relevant to each species.

Consignments destined for a slaughterhouse, quarantine facility or confined establishment must be channelled (i.e. movement is monitored by the competent authority to ensure consignment arrives at specified location).