Conditions
Specific animal health requirements for entry into the EU of dogs, cats and ferrets are laid down in Commission Delegated Regulation 2020/692, as amended. Accordingly, the following conditions must be met:
Authorised non-EU countries
Consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets must come from non-EU countries and territories which are authorised for entry into the EU. Those countries and territories are listed in part I of Annex VIII to Commission Implementing Regulation 2021/404.
Establishments of origin
Dogs, cats and ferrets must come from establishments that:
- are registered or approved, and under the control of the competent authority
- have a system in place to maintain and keep up-to-date animal health records
- are receiving regular animal health visits
- are not subject to any ban on animal health grounds (including rabies).
Identification
Dogs, cats and ferrets must be individually identified by the implantation of a microchip approved by the competent authority.
Rabies vaccination
Dogs, cats and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies by an official or an authorised veterinarian in accordance with Article 76 of Commission Delegated Regulation 2020/692 as amended, as follows:
- The animals must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of the primary vaccination.
- The date of administration of the vaccine must not precede the date of identification or reading of the microchip.
- The vaccine must comply with the requirements set out in Annex VII, Part 1 to Commission Delegated Regulation 2020/688 as amended
- At the day of dispatch to the EU, at least 21 days must have elapsed since the completion of the primary vaccination against infection with rabies virus
- A certified copy of the vaccination details must be attached to the animal health certificate.
Dogs, cats and ferrets, including young animals, that have not been vaccinated against rabies may not enter the EU.
Rabies antibody titration test
Dogs, cats and ferrets coming from non-EU countries or territories listed in Annex VIII, Part 1 to Commission Implementing Regulation 2021/404 as amended, for which the specific condition “rabies antibody titration test” applies, must undergo the test as follows:
The test:
- must be carried out without undue delay after sample collection on a sample collected by a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority during the period commencing at least 30 days after the date of the primary vaccination, or within a current valid vaccination series, and not less than 90 days before the date of issue of the certificate;
- must measure a titre of neutralising antibody to rabies virus equal to or greater than 0,5 IU/ml;
- must be performed in a designated laboratory (see lists of designated laboratories);
- must be certified by an official report from the designated laboratory as regards the result, and a copy of this report must be attached to the animal health certificate accompanying the animals to the EU;
- does not have to be renewed on an animal which, following the antibody rabies titration test with satisfactory results, has been revaccinated against rabies within the period of validity of the primary vaccination and all subsequent valid vaccinations in the series.
Treatment against tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis
Dogs must be treated against the parasite Echinococcus multilocularis prior to entering:
- any EU country listed in Annex XIX to Commission Implementing Regulation 2021/620, (Finland, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland).
- Norway.
In accordance with Annex VII, Part 2 (risk-mitigating measures for infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis) to Commission Delegated Regulation 2020/688 as amended, the treatment must:
- Consist of an approved veterinary medicinal product which contains the appropriate dose of praziquantel or pharmacologically active substances which alone or in combination has been proven to reduce the burden of mature and immature intestinal forms of Echinococcus multilocularis in the host species concerned.
- Be administered by a veterinarian within a period of not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before the time of scheduled entry.
- Be certified by the administering veterinarian in the relevant section of the animal health certificate.
Clinical examination
Within 48 hours prior to the time of dispatch, dogs, cats and ferrets must undergo a clinical examination carried out by an official veterinarian, who must verify that the animals show no signs of diseases.
Border Control Post
Dogs, cats and ferrets must be accompanied to a Border Control Post (BCP), to which one working days' notice has been given, by the animal health certificate laid down in chapter 38 of Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation 2021/403 as amended.
N.B.: The use of the EU Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) by the country of dispatch to issue the animal health certificate automatically pre-notifies the arrival at the BCP (number, nature and estimated time of arrival of the animals).
Common Health Entry Document
At the BCP:
- The importer or his agent completes Part 1 of the Common Health Entry Document (CHED)
- The official veterinarian completes Part 2 following the successful outcome of the identity, documentary and physical checks
- The entire CHED is issued by the official veterinarian.
The identity, documentary, and physical checks are performed in accordance with the Official Controls Regulation 2017/625 and Commission Delegated Regulation 2019/1602 supplementing Regulation 2017/625.
Health certificate
The Animal health certificate remains at the BCPs after official controls. CHEDs must accompany the animals to the place of destination.
Exceptions
Purpose of movement and number of animals moved
Dogs, cats and ferrets moved for non-commercial purposes in a number of more than five may derogate from the aforementioned rules provided that :
- their movement is for the purpose of participating in competitions, exhibitions or sporting events or in training for such event, and
- the owner or authorised person submits written evidence that the animals are registered either to attend the event or with an association organising such events
- the animals are more than six months old.
Re-homing of dogs, cats and ferrets
The movements of dogs, cats and ferrets sourced from shelters must comply with the animal health conditions applicable to entry into the EU.