Live Invertebrates

In order to protect animal health and welfare and human health, official controls are required to be performed on live animals entering the European Union from a Third Country.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/632 lists those live animals and their respective Combined Nomenclature (CN) codes which require official controls at the Border Control Post of entry into the Union. Live invertebrates are listed in Chapter 1 of the Annex of this Regulation under the CN code 01064900.

Most animals are covered by European welfare legislation but others [e.g. invertebrates] are animals not covered by a harmonised veterinary certificate or movement document. In these cases, Member States' national rules relating to the import of such non-harmonised animals are applied.

In both cases, the Competent Authority may lay down conditions, aimed at mitigating the risks for the transmission of diseases communicable to humans or animals, posed by the imported insects.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is the competent authority under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/632.

An importer of live invertebrates must be registered with DAFM and on TRACES-NT – Information on how to register is available at the following link: Register to import.

The import into Ireland of invertebrates for use as live bait, as listed in the ‘Live invertebrates as fishing bait list’ below, is permitted with the following requirements:

1. The consignment must be imported through a Border Control Post (listed here) accompanied by a commercial document in accordance with the model set out in section Template of Commerccial Document;

2. 24 hours prior notification of the arrival of the consignment must be provided to the Border Control Post through submission of part-I of a CHED-A on TRACES NT.

A completed electronic copy of the commercial document drawn up in accordance with the model below should be attached to the CHED-A. A copy of the commercial document should also be uploaded to the INIS Portal

3. Each container/package of live invertebrates must bear a label with the following words visibly and legibly displayed "LIVE INVERTEBRATES FOR FISHING " and a label indicating the species contained and nett weight of the container/package. This is to facilitate the required identity check at the BCP;

4. The consignment must be transported in secure packaging so as to prevent escape of the invertebrates;

5. Each consignment must be delivered only to the establishments indicated on the commercial document;

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

Further queries regarding import of invertebrates for medical reasons should be directed to AnimalProductImports@agriculture.gov.ie

Live invertebrates as fishing bait list

An importer of live invertebrates must be registered with DAFM and on TRACES-NT – Information on how to register is available at the following link: Register to import

The import into Ireland of invertebrates for use as biological controls, as listed in the ‘Live invertebrates as biological controls’ list below, is permitted with the following requirements:

1. The consignment must be imported through a Border Control Post (listed here) accompanied by a commercial document in accordance with the model set out in section Template of Commercial Document;

2. 24 hours prior notification of the arrival of the consignment must be provided to the Border Control Post through submission of part-I of a CHED-A on TRACES NT

A completed electronic copy of the commercial document drawn up in accordance with the model below should be attached to the CHED-A. A copy of the commercial document should also be uploaded to the INIS Portal

3. The consignment must bear a label with the following words visibly and legibly displayed “LIVE INVERTEBRATES AS BIOLOGICAL CONTROLS” and a label indicating the species contained and nett weight of the package. This is to facilitate the required identity check at the BCP;

4. The consignment must be transported in secure packaging so as to prevent escape of the invertebrates;

5. Each consignment must be delivered only to the establishments indicated on the commercial document;

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

Further queries regarding import of invertebrates for medical reasons should be directed to AnimalProductImports@agriculture.gov.ie

An importer of live invertebrates must be registered with DAFM and on TRACES-NT – Information on how to register is available at the following link: Register to import

The import into Ireland of invertebrates for use feed for pet amphibians, reptiles and other pets, as listed in the ‘Live invertebrates as feed for pet amphibians, reptiles and other pets’ list below, is permitted with the following requirements:

1. The consignment must be imported through a Border Control Post (listed Item was unpublished or removed) accompanied by a commercial document in accordance with the model set out in section Template Commercial Document;

2. 24 hours prior notification of the arrival of the consignment must be provided to the Border Control Post through submission of part-I of a CHED-A on TRACES NT.

A completed electronic copy of the commercial document drawn up in accordance with the model below should be attached to the CHED-A. A copy of the commercial document should also be uploaded to the INIS Portal

3. The consignment must bear a label with the following words visibly and legibly displayed “LIVE INVERTEBRATES AS FEED FOR PETS” and a label indicating the species contained and nett weight of the package. This is to facilitate the required identity check at the BCP;

4. The consignment must be transported in secure packaging so as to prevent escape of the invertebrates;

5. Each consignment must be delivered only to the establishments indicated on the commercial document;

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

Further queries regarding import of invertebrates for medical reasons should be directed to AnimalProductImports@agriculture.gov.ie

Live invertebrates as feed for pet amphibians, reptiles and other pets list

Leeches are segmented worms belonging to the order of Arhynchobdellida, Hirudinidae family, genus Hirudo, species Medicinalis [common name Northern medicinal leech] and Verbana [Southern medicinal leech].Common green bottle flies are insects belonging to the order of Diptera, Calliphoridae family, genus Lucilia and species Sericata. Leeches are an endangered species in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The purpose of CITES is to protect endangered species of fauna and flora and this is carried out by the implementation of controls on international trade in specimens of these species.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is the competent authority under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. The import of leeches and larvae to Ireland for medical reason is permitted under a DAFM licence, through a Border Control Post (BCP) in Ireland (list available here).

A licence issued by DAFM will be valid for three years from the issue date. Any change to the points 3 to 8 requires a new application form to be submitted.

Most applications for a licence are processed within 7 working days but can take up longer in complex cases.

The import into Ireland of leeches and maggots for medical purposes is permitted with the following conditions

1. Each consignment must be delivered directly from facility of production to the hospital of destination indicated on the licence. Temporary storage at the facility of the MIA/WDA holder, at the address detailed above, is permitted before onward transportation to the hospital of destination

2. The consignment must be imported through a designated point of entry (listed here) for live animals (LA).

3. Each consignment must be accompanied by:

• a copy of a copy of the import licence issued by DAFM, and

• an original signed commercial document with details (in accordance with the model in Annex I below)

4. A completed electronic copy of the commercial document with details (in accordance with the model in Annex I) must be transmitted by email to the relevant point of entry at least 24 hours prior to arrival at that point of entry for live animals.

5. The consignment must bear a label with the following words visibly and legibly displayed “FOR MEDICAL and/or RESEARCH PURPOSES”.

6. The consignment, if requested, must be made available for examination by an officer of DAFM at the authorised point of entry.

7. 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 registered user referred to at point 1 above.

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

9. The animal are not for human consumption, re-sale or supply to any other establishment and must not be removed from the final establishment.

10. The animals imported under this licence may not be used for any other activity other than for medical and/or research purposes.

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

12. Following the use of the animals, they must be humanely euthanised in accordance with Section 23(1) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

13. Any products derived from the use of those materials must be destroyed in accordance with Section 1 (a) and (b) of Chapter III of Annex XIV of Regulation (EC) No. 142/2011.

14. The licence is valid only for the indicated species of leeches/larvae sourced from the declared facility/facilities of production.

Licence Application

The scanned completed form should be sent to: AnimalProductImports@agriculture.gov.ie

or posted to

Further queries regarding import of invertebrates for medical reasons should be directed to AnimalProductImports@agriculture.gov.ie

Application form to Import of invertebrates for medical and/or research purposes

Annex I – Template of Commercial Document

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is the competent authority under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. The import of live invertebrates to Ireland for Scientific Purposes is permitted under a DAFM licence, called a Vet19 licence. Upon successful completion of the application, the Vet19 licence will be issued per consignment.

The import into Ireland of live invertebrates 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. The consignment must be imported through Shannon Airport or Dublin Airport.

3. Each consignment must be accompanied by:

• a copy of the import licence issued by DAFM, and

• an original signed commercial document with details (in accordance with the model in Annex I below)

4. A completed electronic copy of the commercial document with details (in accordance with the model in Annex I) must be transmitted by email to the relevant point of entry at least 24 hours prior to arrival at that point of entry for live animals.

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

6. The consignment, if requested, must be made available for examination by an officer of DAFM at the authorised point of entry.

7. 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 registered user referred to at point 1 above.

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

9. The animal are not for human consumption, re-sale or supply to any other establishment and must not be removed from the final establishment.

10. The animals imported under this licence may not be used for any other activity other than for scientific purposes.

11. If at any time the conditions of the licence cannot be met or a pathogen is discovered in the imported material, work must be suspended and the particulars reported to AnimalProductImports@agriculture.gov.ieimmediately.

12. Following the use of the live invertebrates, they must be humanely euthanised in accordance with Section 23(1) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

13. Any products derived from the use of those materials must be destroyed in accordance with Section 1 (a) and (b) of Chapter III of Annex XIV of Regulation (EC) No. 142/2011.

14. The licence is valid only for the indicated species of live invertebrates sourced from the declared facility/facilities of production.

Licence Application

A completed Vet19 application form and health declaration is required for the application.

Upon successful completion of the application, the Vet19 licence will be issued per consignment.

The operator of the licence must maintain accurate records of each consignment imported under the Vet19 licence. These records may be requested for a renewal application.

There is no requirement for a VET 19 import licence in relation to the movement of live invertebrates between EU Member States.

Live invertebrates from Andorra, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Faeroe Islands, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland may also be imported without a VET 19 import licence.

The Health Declaration

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

a. The live Invertebrates originate from the holding and have been stored securely on the holding.

b. They appear clinically healthy and free from all signs of a contagious or infectious disease.

c. They are suitable for transportation on the intended journey.

d. They have been produced and stored in a manner that is suitable for scientific use.

The completed application form should be sent to: AnimalProductImports@agriculture.gov.ieand the original signed copy posted to;

Note: To expedite the processing of an application form the applicant may email a scanned copy of the signed application form to AnimalProductImports@agriculture.gov.ie .

However, the licence will not be issued until the original signed copy of the application form has been received by post.

Further queries regarding import of invertebrates for scientific purposes should be directed to AnimalProductImports@agriculture.gov.ie

An importer of live invertebrates must be registered with DAFM and on TRACES-NT – Information on how to register is available at the following link: Register to import.

The import into Ireland of invertebrates for use as pets is permitted with the following requirements:

1. The consignment must be imported through a Border Control Post (listed here) accompanied by a commercial document in accordance with the model set out in section Template of Commercial Document;

2. 24 hours prior notification of the arrival of the consignment must be provided to the Border Control Post through submission of part-I of a CHED-A on TRACES NT;

A completed electronic copy of the commercial document drawn up in accordance with the model below should be attached to the CHED-A. A copy of the commercial document should also be uploaded to the INIS Portal.

3. The consignment must bear a label with the following words visibly and legibly displayed “LIVE INVERTEBRATES - PETS” and a label indicating the species contained and nett weight of the package. This is to facilitate the required identity check at the BCP;

4. The consignment must be transported in secure packaging so as to prevent escape of the invertebrates;

5. Each consignment must be delivered only to the establishment indicated on the commercial document;

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

Further queries regarding import of invertebrates for medical reasons should be directed to AnimalProductImports@agriculture.gov.ie.

Live invertebrates as pets list

List in process of approval and will be published shortly.

We are currently performing risk assessments on a number of other live invertebrates for uses outside of the food or feed chain.

If you wish to import a species of live invertebrate not listed above, please contact animalproductimports@agriculture.gov.ie with a description of the species and the proposed use.