Non-EU countries that can export animals/animal products to the EU
- Animal health
- Animal health certification
- Third country lists
- Animal health controls
- Official controls
Summary
The European Union (EU) has updated the list of non-EU countries that can export animals and products of animal origin to the EU.
Among the changes, North Macedonia is required to test for bluetongue virus (BTV) in the following items intended for the EU market: sheep and goat semen, oocytes (immature egg cells), and in vitro embryos.
Moldova is now authorised to export poultry meat products to the EU from its zone MD-1 without any risk-mitigating treatment.
Updated animal health list of non-EU countries that can export animals and products of animal origin to the European Union
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3145 of 18 December 2024 amending Annexes I, IX, X and XV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 as regards the lists of third countries or territories or zones thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of certain products of animal origin, and correcting Annex XXI thereto as regards the entries for the United States
Update
The European Union (EU) has updated the list of non-EU countries that can export animals and products of animal origin to the EU.
Among the changes, North Macedonia is required to test for bluetongue virus (BTV) in the following items intended for the EU market: sheep and goat semen, oocytes (immature egg cells), and in vitro embryos.
Moldova is now authorised to export poultry meat products to the EU from its zone MD-1 without any risk-mitigating treatment.
Impacted Products
Sheep and goat semen, oocytes, in vitro-produced embryos; poultry products
What is changing?
The changes in the Annexes to Regulation 2024/3145 are summarised as follows.
North Macedonia
North Macedonia has confirmed cases of bluetongue virus (BTV) in sheep and goat in its territory, and is therefore required to test for BTV sheep and goat semen, oocytes, and in vitro-produced embryos intended for the EU market.
(Modifies Regulation 2021/404, Annex IX, Part I, column 6.)
Moldova
A new zone MD-1 in Moldova is now listed as a zone authorised to export to the EU poultry meat products that are not required to undergo a specific risk-mitigating treatment (covered by certificates MPNT and MPST: see EU official health certificates for exports to the EU – explained, Table 3). The newly listed zone MD-1 covers the whole country of Moldova excluding the following districts: Briceni, Cahul, Calarași, Cantemir, Comrat, Drochia, Dubăsari, Edinet, Floresti, Glodeni, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan Voda, Strășeni, Tarclia.
(Modifies Regulation 2021/404, Annex XV, Parts I and II.)
Brazil
The description of zone BR-2, from which Brazil can export certain meat products to the EU (products covered by certificate MPST, Regulation 2020/2235, chapter 26) is corrected to remove references to zones BR-3 and BR-4 to take into account of the modification of Annex XIII by Regulation 2024/1170. For more information see Updated animal health list of non-EU countries that can export animals/animal products to EU.
(Modifies Regulation 2021/404, Annex XV, Part I.)
Why?
The EU regularly updates the list of non-EU countries authorised to export animal products as the epidemiological situation changes.
Timeline
The Regulation applies from 8 January 2025.
What are the major implications for exporting countries?
North Macedonia can export to the EU sheep and goat semen, oocytes, and in vitro embryos only after they have been tested for bluetongue virus (BTV).
Moldova can now export poultry products to the EU from its newly listed zone MD-1 without any risk-mitigating treatment (covered by certificates MPNT and MPST, Regulation 2020/2235 chapters 25 and 26).
Recommended Actions
Animal health rules must be strictly applied by non-EU countries in order to be able to export animals and animal products to the EU. It is important that competent authorities and operators work together to monitor animal health and keep diseases under control. The EU regularly audits its partner countries as well as the EU Member States, and publishes Health and Food Audits and Analysis – for more information see EU Health and food audits and analysis programme 2025.
Background
The EU’s Animal Health Law (Regulation 2016/429) provides a legislative framework for monitoring animal health issues and taking necessary actions. To export products of animal origin to the EU, non-EU countries must be listed for particular species and categories of animals and germinal products (semen, ova, and embryos).
Regulation 2020/692 supplements the Animal Health Law regarding the animal health requirements for imports into the EU.
Implementing Regulation 2021/404 establishes the lists of “third” (non-EU) countries.
Resources
Regulation (EU) 2017/625 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products (Official Controls Regulation)
Regulation (EU) 2016/429 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (Animal Health Law)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 as regards rules for entry into the Union, and the movement and handling after entry of consignments of certain animals, germinal products and products of animal origin
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 laying down rules for the application of Regulations (EU) 2016/429 and (EU) 2017/625 as regards model animal health certificates, model official certificates and model animal health/official certificates, for the entry into the Union and movements within the Union of consignments of certain categories of animals and goods, official certification regarding such certificates
Sources
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3145 as regards the lists of third countries or territories or zones thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of certain products of animal origin
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Updated animal health list of non-EU countries that can export animals and products of animal origin to the European Union
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3145 as regards the lists of third countries or territories or zones thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of certain products of animal origin
What is changing and why?
This new Regulation requires North Macedonia to test for bluetongue virus (BTV) in the following items intended for the EU market: sheep and goat semen, oocytes (immature egg cells), and in vitro embryos.
It also adds Moldova’s zone MD-1 to the list of territories from which poultry products can be exported to the EU without undergoing any specific risk-mitigating treatment. The poultry products are those covered by certificates MPNT and MPST (Regulation 2020/2235, chapters 25 and 26). For more information see EU official health certificates for exports to the EU – explained.
Corrections have been made to the description of zones from which Brazil can export certain meat products to the EU. For more information see Updated animal health list of non-EU countries that can export animals/animal products to EU.
Actions
Animal health rules must be strictly applied by non-EU countries in order to be able to export animals and animal products to the EU. It is important that competent authorities and operators work together to monitor animal health and keep diseases under control. The EU regularly audits its partner countries as well as the EU Member States, and publishes Health and Food Audits and Analysis – for more information see EU Health and food audits and analysis programme 2025.
Timeline
The Regulation applies from 8 January 2025.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.