International trade: Importer Information Notes - apiculture (bees & honey) (BP IIN 13)
Importer Information Note on conditions of import for apiculture products
1. Permitted imports
Apiculture products intended for use in apiculture:
- must come from an approved third country (section 2)
- must come from an EU approved plant (section 3)
- must have an animal health certificate (section 4)
The product must be processed in accordance with the requirements laid down in Annex VIII, Chapter IX of Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002.
2. Country of origin
Apiculture products must come from third countries (countries outside the European Union (EU)) listed in Part 1 of Annex II to Council Decision 79/542/EEC, as amended.
3. Processing plants
The By-products covered by this Importer Information Note (IIN) must come from processing establishments which have been approved by the competent authority of the country of origin and in compliance with the specific conditions laid down in EU Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 and then subjected to on-going supervision.
4. Animal health certificate
Each consignment must be accompanied by a certificate signed and stamped by a duly authorised veterinary officer of the government of the exporting country in accordance with Chapter 13 of Annex X to Regulation (EC) No 668/2004.
Note, for New Zealand, the health certification is laid down in Commission Decision 2003/56/EC, as amended.
5. Veterinary checks
Consignments may only be imported into the EU through an approved Border Inspection Post (BIP). Following satisfactory checks at the BIP, consignments may then circulate freely within the EU.
Consignments must be pre-notified, in accordance with the Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) Regulations, to the relevant BIP before arrival, by completion of Part I of the the Common Veterinary Entry Document (CVED) or by electronic means as agreed with the Border Inspection Post competent authority.
6. By-products requirements
The requirements contained in this document only apply to the import of the product. Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 also lays down requirements following entry.
Animal by-products must be treated in accordance with the above Regulation. Further information can be found in the Regulation or importers can check the Defra website.
Caution
1. Consignments presented for import at a UK Border Inspection Post (BIP) (see Section 5) must be accompanied by the original health certificate(s). Faxed or photocopied certificates are not acceptable. The Official Veterinary Surgeon (OVS) will carry out veterinary checks (for which a charge will be levied) in accordance with EU legislation. On completion of these checks a Common Veterinary Entry Document (CVED) will be issued. The CVED should accompany the consignment to the first point of destination. The OVS will retain the original certification. Consignments checked in another EU Member State must be accompanied by a CVED issued at the point of entry into the European Community.
2. Whilst every attempt is made to keep this information note current, import conditions may change and importers are responsible for checking the current status of the requirements. Safeguard measures which prohibit imports from countries affected by animal diseases or other public or animal health hazards can prohibit or restrict import at very short notice. Requirements can be checked on the Defra website.
Alternatively you can keep up to date with amendments to legislation by checking the Commission Website.
3. Community legislation – consolidated texts
Consolidated texts are available which integrate the basic instruments of Community legislation with their amendments and corrections in a single, non-official document. Each consolidated text contains a list of all legal documents taken into account for its construction. Therefore a comparison with the data in the 'Directory of Community legislation in force' will allow you to easily check how up to date the consolidated text is.
Texts provided in this section are intended for information only. Please note that these texts have no legal value. For legal purposes please refer to the texts published in the 'Official Journal of the European Communities'.
4. Importers should note that the information given relates only to animal health conditions of import. It does not give guidance on other controls which may need to be met. An information page, giving details of other organisations which importers may need to consult, is available.
Contact for information
Animal Health Import Team,
Government Offices,
Beeches Road,
Chelmsford,
Essex
CM1 2RUTel: 01245 358383
Page last modified:
23 May, 2008
Page published: 4 May 2004