ARCHIVE: International trade: Importer Information Notes - Colostrum (ABP IIN 2B)

Importer Information Note on conditions of import for Colostrum and colostrum products from bovine animals not for human consumption

1.  Scope

Colostrum and colostrum products:

  • Must only be produced from bovine animals;
  • Must come from an approved country;
  • Must be accompanied by an animal health certificate.

Colostrum and colostrum products must only be manufactured from Category 3 materials referred to in Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 from live animals that did not show any signs of disease transmissible through the colostrum to humans or animals.

2.  Production/processing/storage requirements

The colostrum and colostrum products must comply with the requirements of Annex XIV, Chapter I, Section 4 point B of Regulation (EU) No 142/2011.

3.  Country of origin

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009, the European Commission has drawn up a list of Third countries from which EU Member States may import colostrum and colostrum products.  The approved Third country list for colostrum and colostrum products can be found in Annex XIV, Chapter I, Section 1, Table 1, row 4 of Regulation (EU) No 142/2011.  Imports are only permitted from countries on the list.

Colostrum and colostrum products must come from third countries (countries outside the European Union (EU)) listed as authorised in column “A” of Annex I to Commission Decision 605/2010/EC.

4.  Labelling requirements

The containers must be marked so as to indicate the nature of the colostrum/ colostrum product and bear labels indicating that the product is Category 3 material and not intended for human consumption.

5.  Health certification

Imports from third countries must be accompanied by a health certificate, which conforms to the model laid down in Annex XV, Chapter 2(B) of Regulation (EU) No 142/2011, and which is signed by an official veterinarian/inspector of the country of origin.

Guidance on how to complete a health certificate can be found in Annex XV of Regulation (EU) No 142/2011.

Consignments presented for import at the Border Inspection Post (BIP) must be accompanied by the original health certificate(s); faxed or photocopied certificates are not acceptable.

6.  Norway/Liechtenstein/Switzerland

The EU has International Agreements with Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein which means that they implement EU veterinary legislation in relation to the movement of animal products.  Therefore animal products from Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein must comply with the same requirements applying to animal products from EU Member States.

7.  Specified risk material/TSE requirements for animal by-products derived from bovine, ovine and caprine animals

Colostrum derived from bovine animals may need to meet the relevant requirements of Regulation (EC) No 999/2001. These conditions are part of the certificate referred to above.

In addition, Commission Decision 2007/453/EC categorises the countries or regions, according to their BSE risk.

8.  Veterinary checks

Consignments may only be imported through an approved BIP. Following satisfactory checks at the BIP, consignments may then circulate freely within the EU. A list of BIPs is available on the Defra website. If the consignment does not meet the import requirements, the BIP may require that the consignment is re-exported or destroyed.

Consignments must be pre-notified in accordance with the Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (England) Regulations 2006 to the relevant BIP, before arrival in the country, by completion of Part I of the Common Veterinary Entry Document (CVED) or by electronic means as agreed with the BIPs competent authority.

For further guidance on products see the Defra website.

9.  Safeguard measures

Situations where emergency safeguard action has been taken, at very short notice, to prohibit or restrict the importation of certain animals/products from certain countries following an outbreak of serious disease in those countries may not be covered. Importers are advised to contact Animal Health (see below) to check if any action has been taken in relation to the current status of any particular country. Details of safeguard measures can also be found in our Declarations and Customer Information Notes.

Alternatively you can keep up to date with amendments to legislation by checking the European Commission’s website.

10. European Union legislation

Consolidated texts, which integrate the basic instruments of Union legislation with their amendments and corrections in a single, non-official document, are available. Each consolidated text contains a list of all legal documents taken into account for its construction.

Texts provided in this section are intended for information only. Please note that these texts have no legal value. For legal purposes please refer to the texts published in the 'Official Journal of the European Union'.

For non-consolidated legislation, please use the simple search option on the European Commission’s website.

11.  Contact for general information on import requirements

Specialist Service Centre for Imports
Animal Health
Government Offices
Beeches Road
Chelmsford
Essex CM1 2RU
Tel: 01245 454860
Fax: 01245 351 162
E-mail: AHITChelmsford@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk

12.  Contacts for other important advice and guidance

Importers should note that the information given relates only to animal health and public health conditions of import. It does not give guidance on other conditions that may need to be met.

The information sheet below gives details of other organisations you may also need to consult.

Page last modified: 4 March, 2011
Page published: 4 May, 2004