International trade: Customer Information Notes - CIN/09/22
Veterinary checks on products from Switzerland and Iceland
Purpose
1.To notify stakeholders on the position with regard to products of animal origin from Switzerland and Iceland.
Background
2. Customer Information Note 2008/170 advised BIPs that further progress has been made on the Swiss equivalence agreement. Switzerland has set up BIPs to enable them to veterinary check third country imports into Switzerland, as Member States do. I can confirm that a Decision has been adopted which enables products to be imported from Switzerland without the need for veterinary checks.
3.EFTA have advised us that it is the intention to extend the scope of the EFTA Agreement to all product of animal origin (except for genetic material) from Iceland. The Agreement has been amended but at the moment it has not yet entered into force so checks will continue on all products of animal origin (except fish, fishery products and fishmeal which have been exempt for some time). EFTA hope that the amendment will come into force during Summer.
Action for Customer Information Note
4.To note that ;
- checks will not be required from Switzerland from 01/01/2009,
- checks will continue on all products of animal origin (except fish, fishery products and fishmeal) from Iceland until the amended Agreement comes into force.
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: 27 February 2009