Intra-EU Trade [EU]

Bovine and Swine

There exist intra-EU controls on trade in certain animals. There is a directive on trade within the EU in bovine animals and swine for breeding, production, or slaughter. The transport of bovine animals and swine to another state is permitted if

they do not display a sign of clinical disease
they have not been obtained from a holding subject to a prohibition
they are authorized in accordance with EU regulation on bovine animals
they are covered and accompanied by a health certificate in the form prescribed in legislation during transport to the country of destination
they come from a bovine herd officially free of tuberculosis, brucellosis and certain other conditions.

During transport, animals must not come into contact with other animals which do not conform to the same health conditions.

Vehicles used to transport animals must guarantee their well being and meet certain conditions including

design to prevent dispersal of droppings, litter or fodder
be cleaned and disinfected after each transportation of animals in line with approved methods and procedures

They must include a register setting out information on location, date and time of loading and delivery of animals Type and quantity of animals transported, length of the journey, length, days in a location where vehicle disinfected.

Animals for slaughter which have been transported directly to an abattoir on their arrival in the country of destination must be slaughtered within 72 hours of arrival. If they are transported directly to an approved assembly centre on their arrival in the destination country, before being transported to the abattoir, slaughter must take place within three working days following arrival in the assembly centre.

There are several other directives on intra-community trade in particular species of animals. EU directive on bovine purebred breeding animals applies to pure bred animals of the bovine species as well as their semen ova and embryos. States must guarantee free trade in pure bred breeding animals’ cells and embryos.

Herd Books

States must ensure that there are no obstacles to the establishment of herd-books and provide recognition or organization and associations which maintain them. States may require pedigree certificates to be presented in EU trade in pure breeding animals. The commission determines

performance monitoring methods for assessing cattle’s genetic value
criteria governing the recognition of breeder’s organization
criteria governing the establishment of herd-books

Breeder’s organizations and associations recognized by states may not oppose the entry on their herd-books of pure bred animals of the bovine species from other states provided they meet the conditions in the regulations.

Directive on the EU trade in pure breeding pigs provides broadly similar provisions. The commission determines

performance monitoring for assessing pig’s genetic value
criteria governing the establishment of herd-books and registers
criteria governing entry in the herd-books and registers
criteria for recognition and supervision of breeders associations
certificates which states may require on the marketing of pure bred pigs’ semen, ova and embryo.

States may not prohibit, restrict or impede on zootechnical grounds, trade within the EU in pure bred and high bred breeding pigs, their semen or ova or embryo.

The official approval of breeding associations, or private bodies establishing herd-books may not be prohibited or restricted.

Trade in Pigs

These Directives regulate intra-Community trade in pigs and the applicable zootechnical and veterinary conditions.

The Commission has determined:

performance monitoring methods for assessing pigs’ genetic value;
criteria governing the establishment of herdbooks and registers;
criteria governing entry in herdbooks and registers;
criteria for recognition and supervision of breeders’ associations and/or breeding organisations and/or private enterprises holding or establishing herdbooks and registers;
certificates which the Member States may require for the marketing of purebred pigs, semen, ova and embryos.

Pending entry into force of these provisions, the monitoring officially carried out in each Member State and the herdbooks shall be recognised by the other Member States.

Member States may not prohibit, restrict or impede on zootechnical grounds intra-Community trade in purebred or hybrid breeding pigs or their semen, ova and embryos.

The establishment of herdbooks and registers may not be prohibited, restricted or impeded on zootechnical grounds, provided that the conditions laid down in Community law are met.

The official approval of breeders’ associations and/or breeding organisations and/or private undertakings holding or establishing herdbooks or registers in accordance with Community law may not be prohibited, restricted or impeded.

Porcine semen

To reduce the risk of spreading animal disease by harmonizing Member States’ rules on intra-Community trade in porcine semen and harmonizing rules on imports of semen from third countries.

Council Directive 90/429/EEC of 26 June 1990 laying down the animal health requirements applicable to intra-Community trade in and imports of semen of domestic animals of the porcine species [Official Journal L 224 of 18.08.1990].

Amended by the following:

Commission Decision 1999/608/EC of 10 September 1999 [Official Journal L 242 of 14.09.1999];
Commission Decision 2000/39/EC of 16 December 1999 [Official Journal L 13 of 19.01.2000];
Council Regulation (EC) No 806/2003 of 14 April 2003 [Official Journal L 122 of 16.05.2003].

The Directive lays down the animal health requirements applicable to intra-Community trade in and imports from third countries of semen of animals of the porcine species.

Intra-Community trade in semen requires compliance with regulations concerning collection, processing, storage and transport as well as provisions on protection against the spread of Aujesky’s disease.

The Directive lays down that each Member State shall send the list of semen collection centres and their veterinary registration numbers to the other Member States and to the Commission. It also lays down that each consignment of semen must be accompanied by an animal health certificate drawn up by an official veterinarian of the Member State of collection.

Imports of porcine semen may only be made from those third countries on the list of semen collection centres.

Member States shall authorize the import of semen only on submission of an animal health certificate drawn up and signed by an official veterinarian of the third country of collection. The semen must fulfil the animal health requirements adopted for imports of semen from those countries.

The protective measures laid down by Directive 90/425/EEC (summary 2.6.1) apply to intra-Community trade in porcine semen.

Commission veterinary experts will carry out an inspection to ensure application of the Directive.

Annexes containing the conditions for the approval of semen collection centres and the conditions relating to the supervision of semen collection centres ; the conditions governing the admission of animals to approved semen collection centres and the compulsory routine tests for boars kept at approved semen collection centres ; the conditions which semen collected at approved centres must satisfy for the purposes of intra-Community trade.

Horses etc.

A Directive on EU trade in equidae, their semen, ova, and embryos set out zootechnical and genealogical conditions governing their trade. Trade may not be prohibited or restricted on the zoo, technical or genealogical grounds.

The directive lays down genealogical rules for registered equidae. The Commission determines criteria for the identification of equidae, approval of organizations keeping studbooks and for the entry of equidae in studbooks.

In inter-community trade, equidae registered in the country of dispatch must be entered in the studbook of the country of destination under the same name.

States must maintain an updated list of organizations which manage and establish studbooks and communicate the list to other states. The directive lays down zoo, technical rules.

Movement and importation of equidae

The European Union (EU) has harmonised animal health rules on intra-Community movement and importation of equidae.

Council Directive 2009/156/EC of 30 November 2009 on animal health conditions governing the movement and importations from third countries of equidae.

This Directive defines the animal health conditions governing intra-Community movement and importation of equidae.

Equidae

This Directive covers wild or domesticated animals of the equine (including zebras) or asinine species or the offspring of crossings of those species.

Exemptions may be granted to equidae used for sporting, recreational or cultural purposes, or those intended for temporary pasturing or work near internal borders of the European Union (EU).

Intra-Community movement

Equidae that are moved between Member States:

must show no sign of disease at inspection which shall be carried out in the 48 hours prior to their embarkation (only equidae registered in a studbook (or likely to be registered therein) that are intended for intra-Community trade are subject to this inspection);
have not been in contact with other equidae suffering from an infectious or contagious disease during the 15 days prior to the inspection;
must not be slaughtered under a programme of contagious or infectious disease eradication;
must be identified by a document as laid down in Directive 90/427/EEC on the zootechnical and genealogical conditions governing intra-Community trade in equidae;
must not come from a holding which has been the subject of prohibition orders relating to the occurrence of an infectious or contagious disease.

Member States affected by African horse sickness may not dispatch equidae from the part of the territory considered as infected unless the equidae:

are dispatched at specific times of the year, having regard to the activity of vector insects carrying the disease;
show no clinical symptom of African horse sickness on the day of inspection;
have undergone a test for African horse sickness, with negative results;
have been kept in quarantine for a minimum period of 40 days;
are protected from vector insects during the period of quarantine and during transportation to the place of dispatch.

Equidae must be taken directly to the place of destination, accompanied by a health certificate (see Annex III). Vehicles must provide effective protection for the health and well-being of the equidae. Veterinary experts from the Commission may carry out on-the-spot inspections.

Importation from third countries

Any third country wishing to export equidae within the EU must be included on the list of authorised countries. Authorisations are granted having regard to the animal health situation of equidae in the third country and the guarantees that the country provides in terms of the health and well-being of the animals.

Equidae must come from a third country or region thereof which is/has been:

free from African horse sickness,
free for two years from Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE),
free for six months from dourine and glanders.

Additional guarantees may be required for diseases that are not found on EU territory.

Equidae must have remained without interruption for a period to be determined in the territory (or part of the territory) of the exporting third country. Furthermore, equidae must be identified and accompanied by a health certificate issued by an official veterinarian of the exporting third country. Inspections shall be made by veterinary experts from Member States and the Commission.

Poultry and hatching eggs

The European Union (EU) lays down animal health rules to encourage the harmonious development of intra-Community trade in, and imports from third countries of, poultry and hatching eggs. This harmonisation guarantees the application of common principles to imports of poultry and hatching eggs into the Member States, and prevents the entry into EU territory of animals infected with contagious diseases which represent a threat to health.

Council Directive 2009/158/EC of 30 November 2009 on animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade in, and imports from third countries of, poultry and hatching eggs.

This Directive governs intra-Community trade in, and imports of, poultry and hatching eggs. However, it does not apply to movements of animals within a Member State.

Types of animal and animal products

This Directive applies to:

poultry (fowls, turkeys, guinea fowls, ducks, geese, quails, pigeons, pheasants, partridges and ostriches);
day-old chicks, i.e. poultry less than 72 hours old, not yet fed. However, muscovy ducks and their crosses may be fed.
hatching eggs.

This Directive does not apply to poultry intended for exhibitions, shows or contests.

Trade within the European Union (EU)

Establishments producing poultry and hatching eggs shall obtain approval to conduct trade with EU countries. Approval shall be granted by the Commission after examining the national plans. These plans shall indicate the measures which Member States intend to implement to ensure that establishments comply with the conditions as regards facilities and operation (see Annex II).

In addition, each Member State shall designate its own reference laboratory. The role of the national reference laboratories shall be to coordinate the diagnostic methods provided for in this Directive. The list of reference laboratories shall be updated regularly by the Member States and made available to the public.

Poultry and hatching eggs which are the subject of intra-Community trade shall satisfy the conditions laid down in terms of health. In particular, they shall have come from groups of healthy animals and originate in approved establishments which are not the subject of any animal health restrictions applicable to poultry.

Special provisions as regards salmonella shall apply to trade with Finland and Sweden which have a favourable health status. These two Member States (unlike the others) do not carry out systematic vaccination to protect poultry against Newcastle disease. Consequently, they may require additional animal health guarantees for imports of poultry and hatching eggs originating in other Member States.

The transportation of poultry and hatching eggs must comply with specific conditions relating to containers, packages, boxes, crates, cages and vehicles. In addition, poultry and hatching eggs shall be accompanied, during transportation to the place of destination, by a veterinary certificate which conforms with the model in Annex IV and is signed by an official veterinarian.

Imports from third countries

Poultry and hatching eggs may be imported into the European Union provided that they have originated in third countries included on the list drawn up by the Commission. To be registered on that list, the country (or part of a third country) shall guarantee compliance with health conditions at least equivalent to the Community rules. In particular, it shall:

satisfy the conditions applicable to groups of animals and their establishment of origin;
be able to provide rapid warning of the existence in its territory of contagious animal diseases on the list of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE);
prevent or control contagious animal diseases;
comply with the rules relating to health services and veterinary services;
guarantee compliance with Community rules on hormones and residues.

Moreover, these countries shall make provision for compulsory notification of avian influenza and Newcastle disease.

During transportation, poultry and hatching eggs shall be accompanied by a certificate signed by an official veterinarian of the exporting country.

To ensure that all the provisions of this Directive are applied, on-the-spot inspections shall be carried out by veterinary experts. These veterinarians shall be designated by the Commission on proposals from the Member States.

The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health shall assist the Commission in settling animal health issues governing intra-Community trade in and imports of poultry and hatching eggs.

Pure-bred breeding sheep and goats

The European Union harmonises criteria for breeding sheep and goats so as to facilitate intra-Community trade in these animals.

Council Directive 89/361/EEC of 30 May 1989 concerning pure-bred breeding sheep and goats.

The Directive lays down common rules concerning zootechnical problems which may arise in intra-Community trade in pure-bred breeding sheep and goats and the semen, ova and embryos thereof.

It defines the following terms:

‘pure-bred breeding sheep and goats’: any sheep or goat the parents and grandparents of which are entered or registered in a flock book of the same breed and which is itself entered or registered and eligible for entry therein;
‘flock book’: any book, register, file or data medium which is maintained by an officially approved breeders’ organisation or association or by an official agency of the Member State in question, and in which pure-bred breeding sheep or goats of a given breed are entered or registered with mention of their ancestors.

Member States may not prohibit, restrict or impede on zootechnical grounds either intra-Community trade in purebred breeding sheep and goats and their semen, ova and embryos or the official approval of breeders’ organisations which maintain or establish flockbooks.

The Commission has determined:

the criteria for recognition of breeders’ organisations and associations which maintain or establish flockbooks;
the criteria for entry or registration in flockbooks;
the methods for monitoring performance and assessing the genetic value of purebred breeding sheep and goats;
the criteria for the approval of a breeding animal for the purpose of the use of its semen, ova, and embryos.

Ovine and caprine animals

Harmonisation of legislation on intra-Community trade in ovine and caprine animals reduces the risk of spreading contagious animal diseases and consolidates the internal market. This legal framework was reinforced in 2003, following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 2001.

Council Directive 91/68/EEC of 28 January 1991 on animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade in ovine and caprine animals

The Directive defines the animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade in ovine and caprine animals. This legislation was consolidated in 2003 in order to bring the rules on controls into line with those approved for animal species susceptible to the same diseases and managed in a similar system of animal husbandry.

Ovine and caprine animals may only be traded with another Member State if they meet, inter alia, the following minimum conditions:

there is no clinical sign of disease during the veterinary inspection, which is held in the 24-hour period prior to the day of loading;
they are not intended for slaughter under a scheme for eradication of disease;
they do not originate from a holding subject to prohibition on grounds of health (brucellosis, rabies, anthrax);
they are not subject to animal health measures under Community legislation for the control of foot-and-mouth disease, nor have they been vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease;
they are born and reared on Community territory or come from a non-EU country appearing on the list drawn up in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 854/2004;
they fulfil certain minimum requirements with regard to the time spent in the holding of origin or with regard to the time spent in this holding by imported animals;
they are dispatched as directly and quickly as possible in order to reduce any risk of contamination.

Additional conditions apply to ovine and caprine animals being sent for fattening, reproduction and animal husbandry. In the last two cases the Directive lays down additional controls for certain diseases including Maedi Visna, caprine viral arthritis/encephalitis, contagious agalactia or paratuberculosis.

Community financing may be used to help implement national programmes for the control of foot-and-mouth disease, brucellosis, contagious epididymitis in rams, anthrax and rabies. Financing is granted where the programmes in question are approved by the Commission.

Assembly centres where the ovine and caprine animals are separated into consignments must respect certain animal health conditions and be inspected regularly by the competent authorities. Furthermore, a registration and approval system for animal dealers ensures adequate sanitary conditions during trading and, where applicable, during the time spent by animals on their own premises.

The transport of animals, in particular vehicle hygiene, the isolation of transported animals and animal health certificates must also comply with certain criteria laid down in the Directive.

The competent authority in each Member State carries out regular inspections whilst ensuring compliance with this Directive.

The Annexes contain conditions for obtaining the status of officially brucellosis-free ovine or caprine holding or holding free of brucellosis (Brucella melitensis), list officially notifiable diseases, details of official tests for brucellosis and contagious epididymitis in rams, and model health certificates for trade between Member States.

Bovine semen

Trade in bovine semen is regulated by a number of provisions which aim to preserve the health status of the product and reduce the risk of spread of animal diseases.

Council Directive 88/407/EEC of 14 June 1988 laying down the animal health requirements applicable to intra-Community trade in and imports of semen of animals of the bovine species [See amending acts].

The Directive lays down the animal health conditions applicable to intra-Community trade in and imports into the Community of fresh and frozen semen of animals of the bovine species.

Intra-Community trade

Each Member State must ensure that the semen sent from its territory to that of another Member State satisfies the following conditions:

it must have been collected, processed and/or stored in one of the approved collection or storage These centres must meet a range of technical characteristics and be placed under official surveillance of a veterinarian (Annex A);
it must have been taken from healthy animals which satisfy a number of conditions. For example, these animals must come from herds of officially tuberculosis, brucellosis and enzootic bovine leukosis free status, they must have been subjected to a period of quarantine of at least 28 days and they must not have been vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease within 12 months prior to collection;
it must be accompanied, during transport, by an animal health certificate corresponding to the model contained in this Directive (Annex D).

Imports from Non-EU Member Countries

Bovine semen may be imported only from the countries listed in Decision 2004/639/EEC (see Related Acts). A number of collection and storage centres are authorised to import bovine semen originating in Non-EU Member Countries.

Semen from Non-EU Member Countries may be imported only if it complies with the animal health requirements affecting intra-Community trade of animals of the bovine species and if it is accompanied by an animal health certificate drawn up by an official veterinarian of the country of collection.

Collection and storage centres

The Commission’s veterinary experts must regularly control the collection and storage centres situated in the Community and in Non-EU Member Countries, in cooperation with local experts.

Committee procedure

In managing animal health requirements applicable to trade in bovine semen, the Commission is assisted by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health.

Bovine pure-bred breeding animals

Cattle production occupies a very important place in European agriculture. Its success is closely related to the use of pure-bred breeding animals. However, disparities between Member States as regards breeds and standards hinder trade within the European Union (EU). To remedy this situation, the EU is harmonising standards on trade in these animals which are used for breeding. It thus contributes to lifting restrictions on intra-Community trade and increasing the productivity of this agricultural sector.

Council Directive 2009/157/EC of 30 November 2009 on pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species.

The European Union (EU) defines rules applying to trade in pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species. It will thus allow intra-Community trade in all pure-bred breeding animals to be gradually liberalised.

Bovine animals and their cells

The Directive applies to:

pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species, including buffalo, the ancestors of which are entered or registered in a herd-book * of the same breed, and which are themselves either entered or registered and eligible for entry in such a herd-book;
the semen, ova and embryos of these animals.

Measures to liberalise trade in the European Union

Member States shall guarantee free trade in pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species, their reproductive cells or their embryos.

States shall also ensure that there are no obstacles to the establishment of herd-books pursuant to Article 6 nor to the recognition of the organisations or associations which maintain these herd-books.

However, Member States may require pedigree certificates to be presented in cases of intra-Community trade in pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species, their semen, their ova or their embryos.

Harmonised rules at European level

The Commission shall be assisted by the Standing Committee on Zootechnics in order to determine:

performance monitoring methods and methods for assessing cattle’s genetic value;
the criteria governing the recognition of breeders’ organisations and associations;
the criteria governing the establishment of herd-books;
the criteria governing entry in herd-books;
the particulars to be shown on the pedigree certificate.

Entry in herd-books

Breeders’ organisations or associations officially recognised by a Member State may not oppose the entry in their herd-books of pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species from other Member States provided that they satisfy the requirements laid down in accordance with Article 6.

Context

This Directive replaces Directive 77/504/EEC.

Intra-Community trade of bovine animals and swine

The European Union is harmonizing Member State’s provisions on health policy, in particular by allowing the Member States the option of refusing entry into their territory of cattle and pigs that have, or are suspected of having, a contagious disease.

Council Directive 64/432/EEC of 26 June 1964 on animal health problems affecting intra-Community trade in bovine animals and swine [See amending act(s)].

The Directives apply to intra-Community trade in bovine animals or swine for breeding, production or slaughter.

The transport of bovine animals and swine to another Member State is only authorised if the animals:

do not display any clinical sign of disease;
have not been obtained from a holding subject to prohibition for animal health reasons;
are identified in accordance with the provisions of Directive 2008/71/EC for swine and in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000for bovine animals;
are accompanied by a health certificate (see Annex F) during transport to the country of destination;
come from a bovine herd officially free of tuberculosis, brucellosis or enzootic bovine leukosis (this condition only affects bovine animals).

During transport the animals must not come into contact with other animals which do not conform to the same health conditions.

Furthermore, the vehicles used to transport animals must guarantee their well-being and meet the following additional conditions. They must:

be designed in such a way as to prevent the dispersal of droppings, litter or fodder;
be cleaned and disinfected after each transportation of animals, in line with the methods and procedures approved by the competent authority;
hold a register including information on the location, date and time of the loading and delivery of animals, the type and quantity of animals transported, the length of the journey, the date and location of when the vehicle was disinfected, etc. This information must be kept for at least three years.

In accordance with animal health requirements, animals for slaughter, which have been transported directly to an abattoir on their arrival in the destination country, must be slaughtered within the 72 hours following their arrival. If the animals are transported directly to an approved assembly centre on their arrival in the destination country before being transported to the abattoir, their slaughter must take place within the three working days following their arrival in the assembly centre.

A Member State which has a national control programme for one of the contagious diseases not referred to in Annex E for the whole or part of its territory may submit the said programme to the Commission.

Others Animals

There is an EU directive on the intra-community trade and import of animals and semen, ova and embryo. This covers animals not covered by other specific legislation such as that for cattle and swine, horses, sheep and goats, poultry and hatching eggs and live ungulates. Checks are carried out in accordance with EU directive applicable to EU trade.

The directive lays down animal health requirements applicable to trade in zoo animals, ungulates and birds not covered by other directives including pet animals such as cats and dogs. Cats and dogs must meet the conditions provided in EU regulations on the non-commercial movement of pet animals. Ireland, UK, and certain other countries require additional guarantees including national quarantine rules for animals susceptible to rabies.