International trade: Customer Information Notes - API/08/181
Imports of certain animals, fresh red meat, minced meat and meat preparations, live poultry and certain poultry products from third countries - Certification requirements
Purpose
To remind you about new health certificates for imports of certain animals, fresh meat, minced meat, meat preparations, live poultry and certain products derived from poultry.
Background
Meat preparations
On 1 August CIN 2008/124 advised that Commission Decision 2000/572/EC had been amended by Decision 2008/592/EC bringing certification for imports from third countries of meat preparations in line with the Hygiene rules and the TRACES system.
In order to avoid disruption to trade, a transitional period was introduced to allow imports to continue using the certificates laid down prior to the Decision being amended by Decision 2008/592/EC.
This is to remind you that those certificates can only be used for consignments certified before 31 December 2008 and shall be accepted into the Community until 1 April 2009.
Any certificates signed on or after 31 December 2008 must be in the new format.
Certain animals, fresh meat and minced meat
On 14 October CIN 2008/151 advised that Council Decision 79/542/EEC had been amended by Commission Decision 2008/752/EC, which amongst other things provides for new format certificates. The Decision applies from 1 July and new certificates could be used from that date.
However, in order to avoid disruption to trade, a transitional period was introduced to allow imports to continue, using the certificates laid down prior to the Decision being amended by Decision 2008/752/EC.
This is to remind you that those certificates can only be used for consignments certified before 31 December 2008.
Any certificates signed on or after 31 December 2008 must be in the new format.
Live poultry and poultry products
On 26 September CIN 2008/141 advised on new rules in relation to imports of live poultry and certain poultry products in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 798/2008 which applies from 1 January 2009.
This is to remind you that live poultry and poultry products certified in accordance with the legislation that was in place prior to the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 798/2008, may be imported into the Community until 15 February.
Action for stakeholders/importers
Stakeholders/importers should advise their suppliers to ensure that consignments are accompanied by the correct certificates. They should also take into account the journey times for consignments coming to the Community that are accompanied by the ‘old format’ certificates.
Any consignments of animals, fresh meat and minced meat accompanied by certificates signed on or after 31 December 2008 using certificates in the old format, will be rejected and either re-exported or destroyed.
Any consignments of meat preparations accompanied by certificates signed on or after 31 December 2008 using certificates in the old format, will be rejected and either re-exported or destroyed. Further, those consignments certified before 31 December 2008 will not be permitted after 1 April 2009.
Any consignments of live poultry and poultry products accompanied by certificates in accordance with Decisions 93/342/EEC, 94/438/EC and 2006/696/EC that arrive in the EU after 15 February 2009, will be rejected and either re-exported or destroyed.
Contact point for enquiries
AHIT Chelmsford 01245 358383
Fax: 01245 351162
E-mail: AHITChelmsford@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk
International Animal Health, Imports Team
Page published: 18 December 2008