Registration of Importers of Animals and Products of Animal Origin
Dealers in imported animals and persons who accept delivery as consignees of imported animals must be registered with the Department of Agriculture & Food. Registration is a requirement under S.I. No 289 of 1994, European Communities (Trade in Animals and Animal Products) Regulations, 1994. For importers of animal products as well as those who act as an agent on behalf of an importer of animal products registration is a requirement under S.I. No 269/2004, European Communities (Registration of Importers of animal Products) Regulations 2004.
Importers and agents of importers seeking to be entered on the Register of Importers must:
- Undertake to comply with the veterinary legislation of the State and the European Community
- Provide 24 hours advance notice, as set out below, in respect of each consignment being imported
- Maintain records for at least three years, in respect of each consignment imported.
- Retain for a period of at least three years following the date of importation all health certificates and other documentation that accompanied the consignment.
- Notify any change of address or contact phone numbers.
Registration is therefore necessary for those importing live animals for breeding or for slaughter, and for those importing pet animals commercially including animals of the canine, feline, lagomorph (rabbit), and primate species and in respect of animal products such as: - semen, ova, embryos, poultry and hatching eggs, meat and meat products, poultrymeat and poultrymeat products, game meat, milk and milk products, petfood, technical products of animal origin including, blood, serum, casings, horns, bones, hides, skins, wool, hair, bristles, feathers, manure and other technical products of animal origin etc., but excluding fish and fishery products.
The Regulations give effect to the provisions in EC Council Directives 89/662/EEC of 11 December 1989, 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 and Council Directive 97/78/EC of 18 December 1997. It is an offence under the Regulations for an unregistered person to deal in imported animals or animal product or to accept delivery as a consignee of an imported animal or product of animal origin, other than certain products for personal use or consumption imported as personal baggage for which separate rules apply.
Please complete the relevant application form and return it to Import Registration Section, Food Safety Liaison Section, Department of Agriculture and Food, 7W, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Please do not send the application by Fax.
A letter of approval containing your registered number will be sent to you soon after the receipt of your application.
The Import Registration Section can be contacted at telephone number 01-6072892/6072896 or by fax 01-6072513
