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Live Animals: Movements within the Union and Entry into the EU
EU rules on the movement of live animals distinguish between intra-Union trade and entry into the Union from non-EU countries. Intra-Union trade refers only to the movement of animals between EU Member States, while entry into the Union concerns the introduction of animals from third countries into the EU. In both cases, the core objective is to ensure that animals can move safely without spreading diseases to other animals or to the public.
The legal framework is based on harmonised animal health requirements laid down in specific EU regulations, in particular under Regulation (EU) 2016/429, the Animal Health Law. For movements within the Union, all live animals must travel with a health certificate validated by an official veterinarian, confirming compliance with the relevant animal health rules. Member States may also carry out additional random checks at the final destination.
For entry into the Union, animals must also be accompanied by animal health certificates, generally signed by an official veterinarian from the competent authority of the non-EU country of origin. On arrival at the EU border, both the animals and their certificates must be checked by EU official veterinarians at a designated Border Control Post (BCP). Additional checks may then be carried out at the final destination inside the Union.
The system also allows the EU to impose specific additional requirements in the event of serious outbreaks of exotic animal diseases, in order to prevent further spread. The framework therefore combines routine certification, official controls, border inspections and emergency measures to protect animal health, public health and the functioning of the internal market.
This legal regime is then complemented by more detailed rules for particular species and categories of animals, including bovine animals, equine animals, porcine animals, poultry and hatching eggs, ovine and caprine animals, camelid and cervid animals, captive birds and racing pigeons, and honey bees. These detailed rules adapt the common framework to the health risks and traceability requirements of each animal category.
The legal framework is based on harmonised animal health requirements laid down in specific EU regulations, in particular under Regulation (EU) 2016/429, the Animal Health Law. For movements within the Union, all live animals must travel with a health certificate validated by an official veterinarian, confirming compliance with the relevant animal health rules. Member States may also carry out additional random checks at the final destination.
For entry into the Union, animals must also be accompanied by animal health certificates, generally signed by an official veterinarian from the competent authority of the non-EU country of origin. On arrival at the EU border, both the animals and their certificates must be checked by EU official veterinarians at a designated Border Control Post (BCP). Additional checks may then be carried out at the final destination inside the Union.
The system also allows the EU to impose specific additional requirements in the event of serious outbreaks of exotic animal diseases, in order to prevent further spread. The framework therefore combines routine certification, official controls, border inspections and emergency measures to protect animal health, public health and the functioning of the internal market.
This legal regime is then complemented by more detailed rules for particular species and categories of animals, including bovine animals, equine animals, porcine animals, poultry and hatching eggs, ovine and caprine animals, camelid and cervid animals, captive birds and racing pigeons, and honey bees. These detailed rules adapt the common framework to the health risks and traceability requirements of each animal category.
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