General information
To prevent risks to public health and the spreading of animal and plant diseases, the EU has drawn up an extensive and highly harmonized set of regulations, which has resulted in highly harmonized procedures, conditions and requirements for import of animals, plants and products thereof.
Several guidance documents are available on the website of DG Health and Food Safety to third countries to help them understand the European rules, for instance:
- General guidance on EU import and transit rules for live animals and animal products
- Guidance on import/transit conditions and controls of composite products
More information can be found on the site of the European Commission.
Import controls are performed in designated places. More information in the different headers.