1. Importation of live animals from third countries (i.e. non EU countries)  must comply with import conditions laid down by the EU
2. These import conditions conditons ensure these animals meet the required animal health standards before being allowed to enter and move freely within the EU
3. The animals must come from a country that has been approved to export into the EU territory
4. A health certificate relevant to the species and category of animal in question, conforming to the models laid down in EU legislation must accompany the consignment of live animals
5. The transporter must be in possession of an authorisation in compliance with Regulation 1/2005, issued by an EU Member State
6. The transporter must be in possession of a certificate of approval in relation to the specific transport vehicle, issued by an EU Member State
7. The consignment must be presented to a designated Border Control Post (BCP) to undergo veterinary checks at the point of entry into the EU territory

1. All live animal from third countries require veterinary checks at their point of entry into the European Union, as listed in Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2007

2. The list of non-EU countries, territories or parts thereof authorised for the export of various live animals are laid down in the relevant legislation for that species as following:

EU harmonised import controls are carried out at an approved Border Control Post (BCP) that is designated to deal with that species of animal. The consignment may only enter Ireland through an approved Border Control Post (BCP) designated for that species.

1. There are three different types of designation

a. ‘E’ for equine animals,
b. ‘U’ for ungulate animals
c. ‘O’ for other animals

2. The following locations have approved Border Control Posts in operation for live animals (further locations may be approved in the future):

a. Dublin Port – No designation for live animals
b. Dublin Airport – Equine animals only
c. Shannon Airport – Equine animals only

• Import Procedure for Live Animals in the Event of a Disorderly Brexit (doc 54Kb)

1. The ‘operator responsible for the load’ refers to the person who is in charge of the consignment when presented at the Border Control Post.

a. This person is responsible for making the necessary declarations (including customs declarations) to the competent authorities on behalf of the importer.

b. In most circumstances this will be an agent working on behalf of the importer (as opposed to the importer him/herself).

2. This operator must be registered with the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, through their Corporate Customer System (CCS).

3. To register with CCS, email BrexitRegistration@agriculture.gov.ie who will forward on the relevant registration form for completion.

1. TRACES NT  (Trade Control and Expert System) is the European Commission’s online management tool for all sanitary requirements on intra-EU trade and importation of animals, semen and embryo, food, feed and plants. TRACES NT facilitates the exchange of information between all involved trading parties and control authorities and speeds up the administrative procedures.

2. Both the organisation and the individual people within that organisation requiring access to TRACES NT must be registered in order to be able to have the relevant authorisations.

3. Instructions on creating a TRACES NT account can be found in the following link: TRACES NT procedure for registration-business user.

1. Consignments of animal by-products 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 operator responsible for the consignment 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 system.

6. Copies of other supporting documentation associated with the consignment should be submitted at this time as well – such as the health certificate.

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.

a. 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 CVED.

5. If the consignment does not meet the import requirements, the consignment may be rejected and either re-exported or destroyed.