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Regulations and Assessments

International Animal Export Regulations

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Notice

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these regulations for exporting animals or animal products to a foreign country, you should contact the APHIS-VS Area Office in the State from which the animals or products will be exported.

European Union - Summary of Requirements

As of January 1, 2007, the Member States of the European Union are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Bilingual health certificates are available for some species/commodities. Please refer to the link for the individual Member State for available bilingual health certificates. It is the responsibility of the exporter to obtain a bilingual certificate if it is not available on the Member State link.

SPECIES - MOST RECENT UPDATE

Bovine Embryos

  • Bovine embryos Annex II - Health Certificate: In vivo derived embryos (eligible for intra-Community trade). March 2006 (pdf 33kb)
  • Bovine embryos Annex III - Health Certificate: In vitro derived embryos, conceived using semen complying with Council Directive 88/407/EEC (eligible for intra-Community trade). March 2006 (pdf 38kb)
  • Bovine embryos Annex IV - Health Certificate: : In vitro derived embryos, conceived using semen coming from an approved semen collection/storage center (excluded from intra-Community trade). March 2006 (pdf 36kb)
  • Council Directive 89/556/EEC - September 2007 (pdf 641kb)
  • Commission Decision 2006/168/EC - September 2007 (pdf 653kb)

Bovine embryo collection teams approved to export to the European Union:
Go to http://circa.europa.eu/irc/sanco/vets/info/data/semen/semen.html
Scroll down to section 2 sub-section 1.
Click on second section -- "2. Approved for import into the European Community"

Bovine Semen

  • Bovine semen Annex II, Part 1 - Health Certificate - Commission Decision 2008/120/EC, Semen collected after 31 December 2004, in accordance with Council Directive 88/407/EEC, as amended by Directive 2004/43/EC - February 2008 (pdf 148kb)
  • Bovine semen Annex II, Part 2 - Health Certificate - Commission Decision 2008/120/EC, Semen collected, processed, and stored before 31 December 2004, in accordance with Council Directive 88/407/EEC - February 2008 (pdf 194kb)
  • Council Directive - 88/407/EEC - September 2007 (pdf 137kb)
  • Commission Decision - 2008/120/EC - February 2008 (pdf 719kb)

Bovine semen collection centers approved to export to the European Union:
Go to http://circa.europa.eu/irc/sanco/vets/info/data/semen/semen.html
Scroll down to section 1 sub-section 1.
Click on second section -- "2. Approved for import into the European Community"

Horses

Be advised:  You may be asked to provide additional documentation at the time of certificate endorsement to support the fact the horse will only be in the EU temporarily (less than 90 days).

Equine semen collection centers approved to export to the European Union:
Go to http://circa.europa.eu/irc/sanco/vets/info/data/semen/semen.html
Scroll down to section 1 sub-section 3.
Click on second section -- "2. Approved for import into the European Community"

Informative notes:

As of June 10, 2009, all horses exported to the European Union (EU) or donors for equine semen and embryos for export to the EU must be tested for vesicular stomatitis virus as follows:

  • For permanent export of registered horses and horses for breeding and production: within 21 days of export using a virus neutralization test at a dilution of 1:12.
  • For temporary admission of registered horses: within 10 days of export using a virus neutralization test at a dilution of 1:12.
  • For equine semen donors: within 14 days of entering the semen collection center using a virus neutralization test at a dilution of 1:12.
  • For equine embryo donors: within 30 days prior to collection using a virus neutralization test at a dilution of 1:12.

Ovine and Caprine

Poultry

Swine

Pets

For dogs, cats, and ferrets exported to Finland, Republic of Ireland, Malta, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, please refer to the link to the individual Member State for additional information.

Rabies vaccination is not required for pet (non-commercial) dogs and cats under 3 months of age. However, authorization is required from the individual EU Member State. The exporter should contact the animal health authorities in the Member State for authorization, and documentation of authorization should be attached to the export certificate.

Pet dogs, cats, and ferrets must be identified with either a clearly readable tattoo or a microchip.  The microchip must comply with ISO standard 11784 or 11785 Annex A, or the appropriate microchip reader must be provided along with the pet.  Annex A type microchips available in the United States include AKC/TROVAN, HOMEAGAIN and AVID EUROCHIP.

Bilingual export certificates for pet birds are available for the following EU Member States. Please see listing for each individual Member State.

Bulgaria - Czech Republic - Denmark - Estonia - Finland - France - Germany - Greece - Hungary - Italy - Latvia - Lithuania - Malta- Netherlands - Poland - Portugal - Romania - Slovakia - Slovenia - Spain - Sweden

Aquaculture

NOTE: Effective July 6, 2007, exports of mollusks and their eggs and gametes (*with the exception of manila clams, see below) to the European Union for further growth, fattening, or relaying are suspended.
*Export of manila clams may be authorized by individual EU Member States. Exporters should confirm with the government of the individual EU Member State.

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1250/2008 , May 2009 (pdf 3900kb)

For species not listed, the requirements are not known. However, exporters wanting to ship livestock or germplasm whose requirements are not listed in the IRRS, should have the interested party (importer/buyer) in the country of destination apply for an Import Permit at the appropriate ministry. This Import Permit will most likely outline the specific requirements.

 

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Last Modified: October 23, 2009