Animal health requirements: intra-Union trade in and imports into the Union of dogs, cats and ferrets

PURPOSE: to facilitate the non-commercial movement of pet animals.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Directive 2013/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 92/65/EEC as regards the animal health requirements governing intra-Union trade in and imports into the Union of dogs, cats and ferrets.

CONTENT: the Directive stipulates that to be the subject of trade, dogs, cats and ferrets shall:

• satisfy the conditions set out in Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the non-commercial movement of pet animals. The import conditions must be at least equivalent to those provided for in the same Regulation;
• undergo a clinical examination carried out within 48 hours prior to the time of dispatch of the animals by a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority; and
• be accompanied during transport to the place of destination by a health certificate which corresponds to the specimen in Part 1 of Annex E; and is signed by an official veterinarian who shall attest that the veterinarian authorised by the competent authority has documented in the relevant section of the identification document in the format provided for in Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 the clinical examination carried out showing, at the time of the clinical examination, that the animals are fit to be transported for the intended journey.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 19/06/2013.

APPLICATION: from 28/12/2014.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 29/12/2014.