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Third Country Imports: New Animal Health CertificationTo: Our ref :DWW 672/625 Dear Sir/Madam 1. I am writing to advise you that with effect from 1 May 2004 new animal health certification arrangements in respect of imports from third countries come into force within the European Union. Details of the new arrangements are given in the following documents which were the subject of consultation during negotiation on the new measures in Brussels last year: (a) Commission Decision 2003/858/EC of 21 November 2003 laying down the animal health conditions and certification requirements for imports of live fish, their eggs and gametes intended for farming, and live fish of aquaculture origin and products thereof intended for human consumption. You may view this document on the following website: http://www.europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2003/l_324/l_32420031211en00370054.pdf The Annexes to this Decision were replaced by the Annexes in SANCO 10061/2004 Rev.3. This document is important because it lists in Annex I the third countries eligible to import into the EU from 1 May and also amends the Annex II animal health certificate to incorporate the additional guarantees granted to the UK and some other Member States at the end of March (my letter of 7 April to interested parties refers). (b) Commission Decision 2003/804/EC of 14 November 2003 laying down the animal health conditions and certification requirements for imports of molluscs, their eggs and gametes for further growth, fattening, relaying for human consumption. You may view this document on the following website: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2003/l_302/l_30220031120en00220033.pdf Annex I to this Decision was replaced by Annex I in Commission Decision 2004/319/EC (copy attached). This document lists the third countries eligible to import live bivalve molluscs into the EU for immediate human consumption from 1 May. Current Import controls 2. Up to now imports into the UK of the live fish, shellfish and their eggs and gametes covered by the scope of the above Commission Decisions have been subject to national controls at least equivalent to the requirements applying to introductions of live fish and shellfish from elsewhere in the EU. These controls have, depending on the degree of risk to fish health included measures to prohibit the import of some species and allow the import of others subject to licensing and health certification requirements. Details of the current arrangements are explained in the Defra publications “A Guide to Importing Fish” and “A Guide to Shellfish Health Controls”, both of which may be accessed from the following website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/fish/fishfarm/index.htm What happens from 1 May 2004 3. In order to provide sufficient time for importers and their export sources to familiarise themselves with the new animal health certification arrangements, the licensing controls will operate alongside the new certification for a transitional period until the end of July 2004. During this period importers wishing to import any of the species covered by the Commission Decisions referred to above may either (a) continue to apply for licences in the usual way. When they do so however, they will also be given a copy of the type of animal health certificate which the certifying authorities in the country of export will be expected to sign in order to authorise export of the particular consignment to the UK and EU. This new certificate should accompany all such consignments covered by licences; or (b) apply to import consignments solely on the basis of completion of the new animal health certificate by the appropriate authority of the exporting country. 4. Applications for licences (including applications to import using the new animal health certificate either singularly or in combination with a licence) should continue to be made on form DOF 7 and submitted to the CEFAS Weymouth Laboratory, Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB Tel No: 01305 206673/4 (e-mail address: Fish.Health.Inspectorate@cefas.co.uk) until further notice. 5. The complete version of the new animal health certificate in respect of live fish imports is at Annex II of SANCO 10061/2004 Rev 3 (enclosed) and the complete version of the animal health certificate for imports of live molluscs is at Annex II of Commission Decision 2003/804 (see internet hyperlink at paragraph 1 (b)). Copies have also been placed on the efishbusiness website. 6. The new certificates are detailed and complicated and in order to
simplify them we have devised a series of model versions to cover specific
importation scenarios into the UK. Details of the model certificates currently
available may be accessed from here. 7. The model certificates will be refined further during the transitional
phase. We are also in the process of drafting explanatory material to
provide guidance on detailed procedures for operating the new animal health
certification arrangements and this will be made available as soon as
possible. 8. The use of licences will cease at the end of July and imports into the UK after then will be permitted solely on the basis of the new animal health certification arrangements referred to above. 9. Anyone wishing to import direct into or tranship via another Member State should check animal health certification requirements with the appropriate competent authority of the Member State concerned or the CEFAS contact referred to above. It is likely that such importations from 1 May will be permitted only on the basis of the new animal health certification arrangements. 10. The new arrangements do not apply to the import of tropical ornamental fish and shellfish or to the import of crustacea. The import of these species will remain subject to existing national controls until further notice. The new arrangements will however apply to the import of cold water ornamental fish. 11. If you have any comments on this letter please contact Keith Crane on 020 7270 8210 or Pansy Barrett on 020 7270 8242. If you require more information about the third country import arrangements please contact CEFAS at the above address.
David V Mullin All holders of live fish and shellfish import licences
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