Many
consignments of meat, milk and other products of animal origin are traded or
imported in Malta. In order that all such consignments can be moved safely
avoiding the transmission of diseases to either the public or other animals,
the EU has laid down a wide range of animal health requirements.
The
general animal health requirements that are applicable to both imports and
intra-community trade are laid down in specific Council Directives.
In
general, the requirements for intra-community
trade are harmonized between the Member States. To ensure
harmonisation is maintained, meat, milk and other products of animal origin
must be produced in an authorised establishment usually under the supervision
of an official veterinarian. Further random checks on the products may also be
carried out at the final destination. In addition to the general health
requirements, specific requirements for animal products may also be required
which take account of such issues as evolving disease situations in the Member
States. In such instances, specific animal health certificates may be required.
For imports, additional
requirements are set out in specific Commission Decisions. These lay down
health certificates which must accompany all imports and which must be signed
by an official veterinarian of the competent authority of the exporting third
country guaranteeing that the conditions for import into the EU have been met.
On arrival in the EU, the animal products and the accompanying certificates
must be verified and checked by EU official veterinarians at a designated
Border Inspection Post (BIP). Further checks on the products may also be
carried out at the final destination.
The Border Inspection Post
does controls on importation of the following products:
- Aquaculture
Products
- Fresh
Meat
- Meat
Products
- Milk
and Milk Products
- Poultry
Meat
- Other
Products of Animal Origin
- Personal
Imports
For any other information, please contact Border Inspection Post on:
Tel: +356 21653013 / +356 21650393 / Mobile Number: +356 99170532
Email: petstravel.mesdc@gov.mt