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Conditions for imports of equine animals for slaughter
SUMMARY OF:
WHAT IS THE AIM OF THIS DECISION?
It allows EU countries to authorise imports of equidae* for slaughter from the non-EU countries listed in Decision 93/100/EEC and the regions of those countries listed in Decision 2004/211/EC.
KEY POINTS
When equidae are imported into the EU for slaughter, they must meet strict requirements. These include:
- veterinary animal health checks;
- rules to follow if infectious or contagious diseases are detected; and
- proper marking and identification.
Moreover, no hormone-based substances used for animal fattening are allowed in these animals.
Animals must be branded with an ‘S’ no smaller than 3 cm in size on the left front hoof, and they must be slaughtered within 5 days after arrival in the EU. However, if the animals have travelled by sea for more than 8 days, national authorities may decide that the animals can be slaughtered within 21 days of arrival at the slaughterhouse, provided they are placed under daily veterinary supervision.
They must also meet the detailed requirements listed in the health certificate in Annex I of this Decision, which include information on the origin and destination of the animal, its health and the person responsible for the animal. For animals passing through a market or a marshalling centre in the EU before being slaughtered, the health certificate in Annex II must be completed by the owner or person responsible for the animals.
FROM WHEN DOES THE DECISION APPLY?
It has applied since 17 February 1993.
BACKGROUND
In 1992, the EU agreed to amend Council Decision 79/542/EEC in order to set up a list of non-EU countries from which EU countries could import equidae. After equidae were removed from its scope by an amendment in 2004, Commission Decision 2004/211/EC set up the list of non-EU countries and their regions from which the importation of equidae into the EU is authorised.
In 1986, legislation was introduced laying down the residue monitoring for animals destined for slaughter, including equidae, for substances having a hormonal action. This was replaced and repealed in 1996 by Directive 96/23/EC.
In 1990, the EU agreed animal health conditions for equine animals imported from outside the EU. In 2009, this legislation was repealed and replaced by Directive 2009/156/EC which, in turn, will be repealed and replaced by Regulation (EU) 2016/429 as from 21 April 2021.
In 1991, Directive 91/496/EEC was adopted, laying down rules on the organisation of veterinary checks on animals entering the EU. It will be repealed and replaced by Regulation (EU) 2017/625 as from 13 December 2019.
KEY TERMS
MAIN DOCUMENT
Commission Decision 93/196/EEC of 5 February 1993 on animal health conditions and veterinary certification for imports of equidae for slaughter (OJ L 86, 6.4.1993, pp. 7-15)
Successive amendments to Decision 93/196/EEC have been incorporated into the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.
RELATED DOCUMENTS
Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 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, amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1069/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 1151/2012, (EU) No 652/2014, (EU) 2016/429 and (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Regulations (EC) No 1/2005 and (EC) No 1099/2009 and Council Directives 98/58/EC, 1999/74/EC, 2007/43/EC, 2008/119/EC and 2008/120/EC, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 854/2004 and (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 89/608/EEC, 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 96/23/EC, 96/93/EC and 97/78/EC and Council Decision 92/438/EEC (Official Controls Regulation) (OJ L 95, 7.4.2017, pp. 1-142)
See consolidated version.
Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’) (OJ L 84, 31.3.2016, pp. 1-208)
See consolidated version.
Decision 477/2010/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 repealing Council Decision 79/542/EEC drawing up a list of third countries or parts of third countries, and laying down animal and public health and veterinary certification conditions, for importation into the Community of certain live animals and their fresh meat (OJ L 135, 2.6.2010, pp. 1-2)
Council Directive 2009/156/EC of 30 November 2009 on animal health conditions governing the movement and importation from third countries of equidae (OJ L 192, 23.7.2010, pp. 1-24)
See consolidated version.
Commission Decision 2004/211/EC of 6 January 2004 establishing the list of third countries and parts of territory thereof from which Member States authorise imports of live equidae and semen, ova and embryos of the equine species, and amending Decisions 93/195/EEC and 94/63/EC (OJ L 73, 11.3.2004, pp. 1-10)
See consolidated version.
Council Directive 96/23/EC of 29 April 1996 on measures to monitor certain substances and residues thereof in live animals and animal products and repealing Directives 85/358/EEC and 86/469/EEC and Decisions 89/187/EEC and 91/664/EEC (OJ L 125, 23.5.1996, pp. 10-32)
See consolidated version.
Council Directive 96/43/EC of 26 June 1996 amending and consolidating Directive 85/73/EEC in order to ensure financing of veterinary inspections and controls on live animals and certain animal products and amending Directives 90/675/EEC and 91/496/EEC (OJ L 162, 1.7.1996, pp. 1-13)
Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries and amending Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675/EEC (OJ L 268, 24.9.1991, pp. 56-68)
See consolidated version.
last update 31.01.2018