Countries authorised to export animals and animal products to the EU: public health list updated March 2023

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/514 of 8 March 2023 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/405 as regards highly refined products, the list of third countries with an approved control plan and the inclusion of Moldova in the list of third countries authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of eggs intended for placing on the market as Class A eggs

Update

On 9 March 2023, the EU updated the public health list of countries authorised to export animals and animal products to the EU.

The following countries have been added to the list: Azerbaijan (caviar), Lebanon (honey), Moldova (eggs) and Thailand for triangular trade (milk products).

The following countries have been delisted: Rwanda (honey), Colombia (casings) Syria (casings).

Impacted Products

honey, roes, caviar, casings, eggs, milk

What is changing?

Regulation 2023/514 updates the list of countries authorised to export to the EU.

Control plans (Annex -I)

Added to the list:

• Azerbaijan for roes and caviar
• Lebanon for honey

Triangular trade:

• Thailand for milk – the country has provided guarantees that in composite products it exports to the EU, it will not use milk produced in Thailand, but will only use milk from the EU, or from countries authorised to export to the EU (triangular trade)

Delisted because no control plans have been submitted:

• Rwanda for honey
• Colombia for casings
• Syria for casings

Food safety (Annex IV)

Moldova has submitted a Salmonella control programme and is added to the list for class A eggs.

Note that changes relating to high-income countries are not covered in this summary.

Why?

The EU has a legislative framework in place to ensure that food and feed laws are correctly applied. Countries wishing to export animal products to the EU must demonstrate that they have a system in place that is at least as stringent as the EU system or equivalent. Non-EU countries that can demonstrate such a system is in place are added to the EU lists, which are generally updated twice a year.

Timeline

Date of publication: 9 March 2023.

Date of application: 29 March 2023.

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

From 29 March 2023:

Azerbaijan will be able to export wild caviar to the EU

Lebanon will be able to export honey to the EU

Moldova will be able to export class A eggs to the EU

Thailand can now export to the EU composite products that contain milk from the EU, or from countries authorised to export to the EU (triangular trade); it cannot export to the EU milk products that contain milk produced in Thailand. Thailand can also trade dairy products from either a Member State, or from a non-EU country authorised to export milk to the EU.

Rwanda will no longer be able to export honey to the EU

Colombia and Syria will no longer be able to export casings to the EU.

Recommended Actions

Competent authorities

For competent authorities of countries exporting food-producing animals and products of animal origin to the EU:

If already listed:

• ensure compliance is maintained
• in particular for the list dealing with residues, produce an updated control plan.

The EU regularly audits partner countries and the EU Member States. The work programme and reports are published on theHealth and Food Audits and Analysis webpage.

If delisted or not yet listed:

• start the procedure for recognition of the country’s public health requirements as soon as possible.

Competent authorities of partner countries may raise questions to SANTE-CONSULT-A5@ec.europa.eu or, if specifically on residues, to sante-tcresidueplans@ec.europa.eu

Exporters

For operators in third countries wishing to export food-producing animals and products of animal origin to the EU:

• inform the competent authority of your interest
• stay in regular contact with the competent authority to support the process
• follow the procedure to be included in the list of approved establishments.

Background

The EU has stringent rules on the public health requirements for entry of products of animal origin into the Union.

The Official Controls Regulation (EU) 2017/625 lays down the framework for the official controls that competent authorities have to perform at any stage of production, processing and distribution.

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2292 supplements Regulation 2017/625 regarding the public health requirements for exports to the EU. Countries wishing to export animal products to the EU must comply with the EU public health requirements.

Non-EU exporting countries must be authorised in Implementing Regulation 2021/405 for each commodity to be exported to the EU (Annex -I for control plans; other annexes for food safety where relevant).

Exporting countries must also be in compliance with the animal health requirements and be listed in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 for most animal products.

Resources

Sources