Animals and goods of animal origin; monitoring of trade

With the creation of the common internal market, the aim was to achieve the freest possible movement of trade in all areas and this has been largely implemented. For trade in animals and goods, this means that appropriate animal health and food safety regulations must be observed in all Member States of the European Union in order to prevent the spread of animal diseases and to ensure human health, particularly when consuming food of animal origin.
Compliance with animal disease, animal welfare and food regulations is monitored and ensured in national and intra-Community trade as well as in the import of animals and goods of animal origin from so-called third countries (countries that are not members of the European Union (EU)).

The task and aim is to

• to prevent the spread and introduction of animal diseases that pose a risk to animals, but also to humans, such as rabies (dogs, cats) or foot-and-mouth disease (cattle). Animal diseases can be transmitted or introduced by live animals as well as by animal products and products such as meat and meat products, hides, feathers, hunting trophies, blood and blood products or animal feed.
• ensure that foodstuffs are safe for human consumption. In the EU, standardized work and hygiene regulations apply to companies that process or handle food. In the case of meat and meat products, for example, inspections are carried out to check whether the goods originate from approved EU establishments or are imported from a third country that is permitted to deliver to the EU. In this context, it is also checked whether the prescribed animal health and hygiene conditions are complied with. Particular attention is paid to compliance with transport and storage conditions.
• in the case of live animals, to check whether transportation takes place under conditions that are appropriate for animal welfare and to combat any abuses.

When importing live animals and goods of animal origin from third countries, checks are carried out by veterinarians at so-called border inspection posts. The EU has a network of these border inspection posts at all important points of entry into its territory by land, air and sea, all of which work according to the same specifications. They are managed by an official veterinarian. Bavaria has a border inspection post at Munich Airport, which is part of the Bavarian Food Safety and Veterinary Control Authority (KBLV).

The regulations for the movement of animals and goods apply not only to commercial imports, but also to private individuals carrying dogs, foodstuffs and other goods of animal origin, for example. This is particularly important for imports from third countries.

You can find out from your veterinary office or the Munich Airport border inspection post which regulations must be observed in detail and for which cases exceptions are possible. Information on this can also be obtained on the Internet from the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection as well as the customs service centers.

The legal provisions may change at short notice. It is recommended that you inform yourself about the legal provisions in good time before a planned import/transfer/journey.

• Veterinary certificates (for live animals)
  to be carried in the context of intra-Community trade and imports
• Health certificates (for foodstuffs)
  to be carried as part of the import