International trade: Importer Information Notes - milk and milk based products (IIN BP 2C)
Importer Information Note on conditions of import for milk and milk based products which have undergone a sterilisation or a double heat treatment and are not intended for human consumption
1. Permitted imports
Milk and milk based products, which have undergone a sterilisation or a double heat treatment and are not intended for human consumption:
- must come from an approved third country (see section 2)
- must come from an EU approved plant (see section 3)
- must have an animal health certificate (see section 4)
NB In addition to the requirements laid down in Annex V Chapter 1 of Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 covering the specific hygiene requirements for the processing and placing on the market of processed animal protein and other processed products that could be used as feed material, the following conditions apply:
The product must be processed in accordance with the requirements laid down in Annex VII, Chapter V of Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002.
I. Milk and milk based products from third countries (countries outside the EU) or parts of third countries listed in column C of the Annex to Commission Decision 95/340/EC, where there has been an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the last 12 months or where vaccination against foot and mouth disease has been carried out in the last 12 months, must, before introduction on to European Community territory, have undergone either:
- a sterilisation process whereby an Fc value equal to or greater than 3 is achieved; or
- an initial heat treatment with a heating effect at least equal to that achieved by a pasteurisation process of at least 72oC for at least 15 seconds and sufficient to produce a negative reaction to a phosphatase test, followed by:
a second heat treatment with a heating effect at least equal to that achieved by the initial heat treatment, and which would be sufficient to produce a negative reaction to a phosphatase test, followed, in the case of dried milk or dried milk based products, by a drying process
II. Where a risk of introduction of an exotic disease or any other risk to animal health is identified, additional conditions for the protection of animal health may be established in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 33(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002.
2. Country of origin
Milk and milk based products must come from third countries listed in column B of the Annex to Commission Decision 2004/438/EC.
3. Processing plants
The by-products covered by this IIN must come from processing establishments which have been approved by the EU. Pending completion of this procedure, consignments may be sent from establishments which have been inspected by the competent authority of the third country concerned to verify compliance with the specific conditions laid down in EU Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002, and then approved by that authority and 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 2C of Annex X to Regulation (EC) 1774/2002 as amended by Regulation (EC) 829/2007.
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 through an approved EU Border Inspection Post (BIP). Following satisfactory checks at the BIP, consignments may then circulate freely within the EU. A list of BIPs is available on the Defra website.
Consignments must be pre-notified, in accordance with the Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) Regulations, to the relevant BIP before arrival in the country, by completion of Part I of the Common Veterinary Entry Document (CVED) or by electronic means as agreed with the Border Inspection Post competent authority.
6. Specified risk material
For milk and milk based products intended for feed use, which have undergone a sterilisation or a double heat treatment , the certificate referred to in section 4 above must include a guarantee that it is either:
(a) from a country listed in Annex XI, Chapter A to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001, as amended
or
(b) in accordance with the requirements laid down (use exact wording) in Annex XI, Section A, paragraph 15 (b) to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001, as amended (see above link)
7. By-products requirements
The requirements contained in this document only apply to the import of animal by-products from countries outside the EU. For further advice on imports, please contact the Animal Health Import Team.
Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 also lays down controls on the production and disposal of animal by-products within England. The Animal By-Products Branch can offer further advice on this.
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
The official food and feed controls (OFFC) Regulations were introduced on 1 January 2006. These allow for additional checks to be made at the BIP. Please contact the port health authority/BIP of entry for further information.
1. Consignments presented for import at a UK 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 they will issue a CVED. 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 from the point of entry into the 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 2RU
Tel: 01245 358383
E-mail: AHITchelmsford@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk
Page published: 21
April, 2004
Page last modified:
22 May, 2008