Publication
Regulations on Import of Meat of Domestic Ovine and Caprine Animals
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
1. Domestic ovine and caprine animals are of the Ovis aries and Capra hircus species, respectively.
2. Meat of domestic ovine and caprine animals can be imported provided it:
a. Comes from an approved country/region
b. Comes from an EU approved establishment
c. Is accompanied by an agreed animal/public health certificate
3. The meat must have been produced in accordance with the conditions laid down in:
a. Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety
b. Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs
c. Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 laying down specific rules for food of animal origin
d. Regulation (EU) 2016/429 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (Animal Health Law)
e. Regulation (EU) 2017/625 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products
f. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 as regards rules for entry into the Union, and the movement and handling after entry of consignments of certain animals, germinal products and products of animal origin
g. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2292 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/625 with regard to requirements for the entry into the Union of consignments of food-producing animals and certain goods intended for human consumption
1. The approved third country list for imports for fresh meat and bones can be found in Part I of Annex XIII of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/404 .
2. Meat and bones must be produced in establishments approved to export to the EU:
• See list here . (Chapter; Food: Section; Meat of domestic ungulates).
3. Commission Decision 2007/453/EC categorises the countries or regions, according to their BSE risk.
4. The country of origin must also be on the list of third countries with approved control plans for pharmacologically active substances, pesticides and contaminants in certain food-producing animals and products of animal origin intended for human consumption in Annex -I of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/405 as per Article 2 (a) of the same Regulation.
5. Meat and bones derived from ovine and caprine animals must meet the relevant requirements of Regulation (EC) No 999/2001, which lays down the rules for the prevention, control and eradication of TSEs.
6. A Third Country can only be authorised to export minced meat into the EU if it is also authorised to export fresh meat used for the production of minced meat or meat preparations into the EU.
7. Meat and bones must bear a health or identification mark in accordance with the requirements of Regulations (EC) No.’s 853/2004 and/or 2019/627 as appropriate. The mark must be applied before the product leaves the establishment.
8. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004 (as amended), products of animal origin must bear an identification mark that shows the approval number of the approved premises together with an abbreviation for the country of origin. The mark must be applied directly to the product or to the wrapping or packaging.
9. Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein have international agreements with the EU which means that they implement EU veterinary legislation in relation to the movement of animal products. Animal products from these countries must comply with the same requirements applying to animal products from EU Member States and are therefore not subject to veterinary checks.
10. Other Third Countries have special conditions associated with the import of meat, minced meat and offal of ovine animals. Further information can be found in the following legislation relevant to that particular country:
• Canada: Council Decision 1999/201/EC; Decision 79/542/EC
• New Zealand: Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/1901 ; Council Decision 97/132/EC
• USA: Council Decision 1998/258/EC
1. Meat, minced meat and offal of ovine and caprine animals shall be presented at a Border Control Post (BCP) accompanied by a veterinary health certificate, drawn up in conformity with the Model OVI drawn up in accordance with the model set out in Chapter 2 of Annex III of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235, for fresh meat intended for human consumption, excluding mechanically separated meat, of domestic ovine and caprine animals.
2. The certifying veterinarian should ensure that only the relevant paragraphs and, where appropriate, additional guarantees and/or special conditions applicable to exporting country are included.
1. Consignments of meat and minced meat of ovine and caprine animals entering the EU must be inspected at an EU-approved Border control Post (BCP) where Member States' official veterinarians ensure they fulfil all the requirements provided for in the EU legislation.
2. The person responsible for the load being imported (the importer or a customs agent acting on their behalf) must give the BCP at the intended point of entry advance notification of the arrival of the consignment.
3. There is a required minimum pre-notification notice period of at least 24 hours’ notice in advance of the consignment’s arrival.
4. Failure to submit correct documentation within this timeline may result in significant delays in the consignment being processed through the Border Control Post.
5. Pre-notification is given by the submission of Part 1 of the Common Health Entry Document (CHED-P), as is laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No. 2019/1715, through the online TRACES NT system.
6. Copies of other supporting documentation associated with the consignment should be submitted at this time as well - such as the Health Certificate, Invoice, Packing list etc.
7: Necessary documents and logistical information must be submitted 24 hours in advance via the DAFM Import Portal .
1. Providing all the documentation has been submitted correctly and within the correct timeframes, a large proportion of the documentary check can be commenced in advance of the consignment’s arrival. This includes examination of the veterinary certificate and other documents accompanying a consignment.
Please note the original hard copy of the health certificate must travel with the consignment, this will be checked and held at the BCP at the point of entry into the EU.
2. Provided all is in order with the documentary check, the consignment will then be subject to an identity check at the BCP to ensure it identifies with the consignment that was declared in the documentation.
3. A proportion of consignments will be selected for a full physical inspection with/without sampling as appropriate.
4. Upon satisfactory completion of the required checks, the decision is entered in Part 2 of the CHED which must accompany the consignment to the first place of destination referred to in the CHED.
5. If the consignment does not meet the import requirements, the consignment may be rejected and either re-exported or destroyed.