Time limit after disease outbreak for meat entering the EU, and special rules for Brazil

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/954 of 12 May 2023 correcting Annexes XIII, XIV and XXII to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 as regards the lists of third countries, territories or zones thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of fresh meat of ungulates, poultry and game birds, and certain species and categories of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin for which the Union is not the final destination

Update

For territories in non-EU countries that are closed due to disease outbreak, the EU is reintroducing the 90-day time limit for the entry of meat that was slaughtered and certified before the closing date. The EU is also changing the specific conditions for exporting beef from the BR-2 zone, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil regarding foot and mouth disease.

Impacted Products

meat from cattle, sheep, goat, pigs, horses, poultry and game birds

What is changing?

The major changes are:

• When exports of meat from a non-EU country to the EU have to stop due to a disease outbreak, fresh meat that was slaughtered and certified before the closing date can still enter the EU for a maximum of 90 days after the closing date. This applies to meat from ungulates (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses) and from poultry and game birds. (See Annex to Regulation 2023/954: section (1)(a)(i) and footnote 1 for ungulates; section (2) and footnote 2 for poultry and game birds.)
• For beef exports from zone BR-2, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, supplementary guarantees on the conditions of export are required. The State of Santa Catarina has no vaccination programme against foot and mouth disease. The competent authority must therefore implement regular serological surveillance to demonstrate the absence of foot and mouth virus circulation. (See Annex to Regulation 2023/954: section (1)(a)(ii).)

Why?

Some older Regulations (798/2008 and 206/2010) were repealed following the adoption of Regulation 2021/404, which lays down the animal health list of non-EU countries exporting to the EU. This new Regulation reintroduces some elements of the legislation that are still relevant.

Timeline

Date of publication: 15 May 2023.

Date of application: 16 May 2023.

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

• The time limit of 90 days applies only to meat from animals slaughtered and certified before a disease was confirmed in the exporting non-EU country. It therefore mainly applies to meat that is already being transported (en route) to the EU.
• Brazilian authorities must continue to implement regular serological surveillance to demonstrate the absence of foot and mouth virus circulation in zone BR-2 for beef exports.

Recommended Actions

Authorities and operators in non-EU exporting countries must respect the 90-day limit to avoid any rejection at the EU border.

Brazilian authorities must carry out regular serological surveillance to demonstrate the absence of foot and mouth virus circulation in zone BR-2 for beef exports.

Background

Regulation (EU) 2021/404 lists the third countries, territories or zones from which entry into the EU of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin is permitted, in accordance with animal health requirements.

Resources

Sources