Import Conditions of Animal Samples for Analysis or Research Purposes Only to the European Union

TAHD-DSAT-IE-2011-2-1
October 28, 2011

Purpose

This document explains the export conditions of animal samples (blood products [blood, serum, and plasma], blood smears, bone marrow, tissue samples, etc.) intended for analysis or research purposes, from Canada to a laboratory of a Member State of the European Union (EU).

Note to exporters: Import conditions are subject to change, and it is the importer's responsibility to ensure that the product meets the import conditions current at the time of importation.

Import Conditions

Belgium

1. Request for an import licence of animal by-products for research purposes from a third country: see the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain website for practical instructions and to access the formulaire de demande d'obtention d'une autorisation d'importation, depuis des pays tiers, de sous-produits animaux destinés à la recherche - PDF (318 kb) (available in French only).
2. The products are not intended for human consumption.

Denmark

The conditions for import are applicable according to regulation (EC) No. 334/2009 of 30 April 2009, relating to veterinary control of the import of breeding material and animal non-food products, etc., including provisions relating to border control and advance notification.

Blood products (blood, serum, plasma), blood smears, bone marrow, and tissue samples from dogs, monkeys, pigs, rats, mice, rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs, kept as animals for experiments, may be imported for analysis at a laboratory in Denmark, provided the following conditions are met, pursuant to Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council:

1. The material shall be imported in tight, unbreakable packaging.
2. The material shall be taken directly to a laboratory that is authorized to handle this kind of material.
3. The shipment shall be accompanied by a commercial document, containing the following information:
   • date of shipment from place of origin
   • name and address of consignor
   • product description
   • quantity
   • place of origin
   • name and address of shipper
   • name and address of consignee.
4. The shipment shall be marked "Material for Laboratory Analysis."
5. The material shall come from animals that are not suspected of being infected, or confirmed infected with diseases in the Lists of Communicable Diseases in Paragraph 25 in Law No. 432 of 9 June 2004.

France

In accordance with the national arrangements foreseen by Articles 5 and 6 of the decree of April 5, 2002, imports of samples that are intended for in-vitro research are allowed, without prejudice, if the products are accompanied by a document of the importer bearing the following information:

• a description of the product and its customs code (HS code)
• the quantity of products
• exporting country, and name and address of the consignor
• name and address of the first destination establishment.

The packages must include the wording, "exclusively intended for technical or pharmaceutical use" AND "products not intended for animal or human consumption."

Germany

The German laboratory must apply for an import permit from the competent authority.

Italy

The Italian importer (the laboratory) must contact Dr. Gilberto Izzi (Telephone: 06 5994 6531 / Email: g.izzi@sanita.it) to obtain the import requirements.

Spain

1. The laboratory in Spain must fax the completed and signed form (Annex II, Occasional import; Annex III, Registered Importers, Import application for biological material for research¹) to the following fax number: +34 91 347 8248.
2. The laboratory in Canada must provide a written declaration indicating that the samples are not infectious.
3. Once assessed, the request will be sent by fax to the concerned laboratory, with a copy to the veterinary services of the Border Inspection Port (BIP) of the receiving airport.

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1. Documents: Anexo II : Importacion ocasional, Anexo III : Importadores registrados, Solicitud de importacion de material biologico de investigacion

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Sweden

1. The website of the Swedish Board of Agriculture, Department of Animal Welfare and Health, provides the Application for Registration/Licence for Import or Export of Animals and Animal Products - PDF (269 kb), which should be sent 30 days before export. The type of certificate requested by Sweden is specified in the import permit issued for the laboratory in Sweden.
2. The laboratory may have its own requirements that fall outside those specified on the import permit and the mandate of the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
3. Research samples of a reasonable number are, in most cases, not subject to border control, but this is also specified in the individual permit.

Switzerland

Third-country animal products may be imported into Switzerland for analysis or research purposes with a permit issued by the Federal Veterinary Office. The importer must apply using a Form of Request 09/20b. For additional information, refer to the Federal Veterinary Office website.

Whether or not an inspection by border veterinary services occurs depends on the animal species from which the product is obtained. It is requested for hoofed and bi-hoofed animals, elephants, and birds and not for dogs, cats, mice, rats, hamsters, or guinea pigs. This will be clarified at the time of the review of the application for an import licence.

United Kingdom (Great Britain, North Ireland, Scotland and Wales)

An import permit for third-country products of animal origin for research or diagnostic purposes is requested. Authorized species: canines, felines, lagomorphs, and rodents. Avoid Covering the Primates.
Re: authorization No.: IMP/GEN/2010/12
The importer makes the request.

For more information, contact the Chelmsford Animal Health Office:

Beeches Road, Chelmsford
Essex CM1 2RU
Telephone: 01245 454 860 / Fascimile: 01245 351162
Email: AH.Chelmsford@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk

See also the website of the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

For primate samples, consult: ApiChelmsford@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk.