Importer Information Note (IIN) for the importation of Specified Pathogen Free (SPF) eggs from Third Countries (countries outside of the EU) into England (IIN A/13)
Contents
- Important
- Introduction
- Approved country of origin
- Health certification
- Conditions applicable to imports from Norway and Switzerland
- Contacts
- Caution
Important
i. These notes explain the conditions which apply to imports of Specified Pathogen Free (SPF) eggs from specified Third Countries (countries outside of the EU) into England.
ii. These notes should be read in conjunction with the notes describing the veterinary checks applicable to all live animals and genetic material imported into England (Importer Information Note IIN A/1).
iii. These notes are for guidance only. They do not give comprehensive coverage of all conditions laid down in EU and national legislation and have no legal force. Importers must satisfy themselves that SPF eggs are imported in accordance with all the relevant legislation. The authoritative legal position can be found in the appropriate national legislation and European Community Directives and Decisions.
iv. Specimen copies of model health certificates referred to in this note can be sent to traders or importers on request.
v. Personal data may be stored and processed by Defra on computer systems. Defra complies with the standards set by the Data Protection Act.
NB: These notes may not cover situations where emergency safeguard action has been taken, e.g. to prohibit the importation of certain animals from certain countries following an outbreak of serious disease in those countries. Importers are advised to contact the Department to check if any safeguard action has been taken in relation to the animals/country of origin. Outbreaks and procedure information can be found in our Customer Information Notes (CINs) and within our Declarations website.
Introduction
1. “Specified Pathogen Free (SPF) eggs” are defined in Commission Decision 2001/393/EC (as amended) as hatching eggs, which are used for diagnostic procedures in laboratories, for the production and testing of vaccines and for research and pharmaceutical purposes and have to be marked with a stamp. SPF eggs are not fit for human consumption and must be produced in accordance with the valid European Pharmacopoeia, in which the requirements are defined.
2. The importation of SPF eggs into England from other EU Member States and from Norway (see below) is provided for in the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006 No. 1471). All SPF eggs imported from other Member States and from Norway must comply with EU animal health rules governing intra-Community trade.
For guidance on importing live animals and other animal products please see the relevant Importer Information Notes (IINs).
Approved country of origin
3. In accordance with the requirements of Council Directive 90/539 (as amended), the Community has drawn up a list of third countries from which EU Member States may import SPF eggs. Member States are not authorised to allow imports of SPF eggs from countries not on the list.
4. SPF eggs may only be imported from Third Countries listed in the annexes of Commission Decision 2006/696/EC.
Health certification
5. SPF eggs from Third Countries must also comply with the rules laid down in Council Directive 90/539/EEC (as amended). Consignments must be accompanied by health certification in accordance with the relevant model laid down in Commission Decision 2006/696/EC.
Conditions applicable to imports from Norway and Switzerland
6. As a signatory of the European Economic Area Agreement, Norway and Switzerland have agreed to implement EU veterinary legislation in relation to the movement of live animals and eggs between member countries. Therefore SPF eggs imported from Norway and Switzerland must comply with the same requirements which apply to trade within the EU of hatching eggs (see IIN A/8). However, consignments must enter the EU through an approved Border Inspection Post (see IIN A/1).
Contacts
For information on importing SPF eggs into England please contact:
Animal Health Import Team
Government Offices
Beeches Road
Chelmsford
Essex CM1 2RU
Tel: 01245 358383
E-mail: AHITchelmsford@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk
Caution
1. Consignments presented for import at a UK Border Inspection Post (BIP) 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 he will issue a Common Veterinary Entry Document (CVED). The CVED should accompany the consignment to the first point of destination. The OVS will retain the original certification. Consignments checked in another Member State must be accompanied by a CVED issued from 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. Outbreaks and procedure information can also be found in our Customer Information Notes (CINs).
Alternatively, amendments to EU legislation are available on the Commission website.
Community legislation – consolidated texts
3. Consolidated texts, which integrate the basic instruments of Community legislation with their amendments and corrections in a single, non-official document, are available on the Commission website. 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 users 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.
Page last modified:
1 August, 2007
Page published: 1 May, 2007