Publication
Products of Animal Origin for Human Consumption: Live Snails and Snail Meat
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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1. Snails are defined, in Annex 1 of Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004, as terrestrial gastropods of the species Helix pomatia Linné, Helix aspersa Mullern, Helix Lucorum and species of the family Achatinidae and any other species of snails of the family of Helicidae, Hygromiidae or Sphincterochilidae, intended for human consumption.
2. Snails can be imported provided that they:
a. comes from a listed third country as per Annex XI of Regulation 2021/405
b. Are accompanied by a completed official health certificate in accordance with the model SNS in Chapter 40 of Regulation 2020/2235.
c. In the case of processed snail meat, it must come from an EU approved establishment
d. In the case of live snails for human consumption coming directly from a primary producer – need to come from a registered establishment applying general hygiene requirements in accordance with Annex I of regulation (EC) No 852/2004
1. Consignments of live snails or snail meat for human consumption shall only be authorised for entry into the Union from Third Countries or regions thereof listed in Annex XI of Regulation 2021/405
2. Processed snails (snail meat) must be produced in establishments approved to export to the EU - Establishment Lists - TRACES NT (europa.eu) .
3. Snails must have been handled and, where appropriate, prepared, packaged and stored in a hygienic manner in accordance with the requirements of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
4. Processed snails (snail meat) must have been handled and, where appropriate, shelled cooked, prepared, frozen, packaged and stored in a hygienic manner in accordance with Section XI of Annex III to Regulation No. 853/2004, as follows:
a. Snails must be killed in an establishment constructed, laid out and equipped for that purpose
b. snails that die otherwise than by being killed in the establishment must not be prepared for human consumption
c. Processed snails must be subjected to an organoleptic examination carried out by sampling. If that examination indicates that they might present a hazard, they must not be used for human consumption.
d. after killing, snails' hepato-pancreas must, if it might present a hazard, be removed and not be used for human consumption
5. Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein have international agreements with the EU which means that they implement EU veterinary legislation in relation to the movement of animal products. Animal products from these countries must comply with the same requirements applying to animal products from EU Member States and are therefore not subject to official controls at a BCP.
6. Other Third Countries have special conditions associated with the import of meat, minced meat and offal of bovine animals. Further information can be found in the following legislation relevant to that particular country:
• Canada: Council Decision 1999/201/EC
• China: Decision 2002/994/EC
• New Zealand: Commission Decision 2015/1084 (EU); Decision 2015/1901
• Japan: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/6
• Switzerland: Decision of the Council and the Commission 2002/308/EC; Regulation(EC) No. 599/2004
• USA: Council Decision 1998/258/EC
1. Consignments of live snails or of processed snails (including chilled, frozen, shelled, cooked, prepared or preserved snails) shall be presented at a Community Border Control Post accompanied by a veterinary health certificate, drawn up in conformity with the Model SNS based on model SNS in Chapter 40 of Regulation 2020/2235.
2. The certifying veterinarian should ensure that only the relevant paragraphs and, where appropriate, additional guarantees and/or special conditions applicable to exporting country are included.
1. Consignments of snails entering the EU must be inspected at an EU-approved Border Control Post (BCP) where Member States' official veterinarians ensure they fulfil all the requirements provided for in the EU legislation.
2. The person responsible for the load being imported (the importer or a customs agent acting on their behalf) must give the BCP at the intended point of entry advance notification of the arrival of the consignment.
3. There is a required minimum pre-notification notice period of at least 24 hours’ notice in advance of the consignment’s arrival.
4. Failure to submit correct documentation within this timeline may result in significant delays in the consignment being processed through the Border Control Post.
5. Pre-notification is given by the submission of Part 1 of the Common Health Entry Document (CHED-P), as is laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No. 2019/1715, through the online TRACES NT.
6. Copies of other supporting documentation associated with the consignment should be submitted at this time as well - such as the Health Certificate, Invoice, Packing list and so on.
1. Providing all the documentation has been submitted correctly and within the correct timeframes, a large proportion of the documentary check can be commenced in advance of the consignment’s arrival. This includes examination of the veterinary certificate and other documents accompanying a consignment.
Please note the original hard copy of the health certificate must travel with the consignment, this will be checked and held at the BCP at the point of entry into the EU.
2. Provided all is in order with the documentary check, the consignment will then be subject to an identity check at the BCP to ensure it identifies with the consignment that was declared in the documentation.
3. A proportion of consignments will be selected for a full physical inspection with/without sampling as appropriate.
4. Upon satisfactory completion of the required checks, the decision is entered in Part 2 of the CHED which must accompany the consignment to the first place of destination referred to in the CHED.
5. If the consignment does not meet the import requirements, the consignment may be rejected and either re-exported or destroyed.
Live Snails imported for research and diagnostic use require a specific import licence. More information can be found at gov.ie - Live Invertebrates (www.gov.ie) .
Details on how to import live Snails intended for use as fishing bait can be found at the following link gov.ie - Live Invertebrates (www.gov.ie) .
| Approval No. | Name | Location | Regional Unit |
| 38.K.01 | Prisnalis S.A. | Akrolimni | Pella |
| 38.K.02 | Eskarkom S.A. | Sevasteiana Skydra | Pella |
| 38.K.05 | Ch.Piltsis & Co. | Drosero-Lakkas | Pella |
| 01.K.06 | Mamatsopoulos Triantafyllos & E.R | Evros | |
| 42.K.07 | Chochlioi Kritis Ltd. | Latzima of Prinos D.Rethymnon | Rethymnon |
| 30.Κ.08 | Michael Aridas & Co. | Sparti | Laconias |
| 17.K.09 | N. Kazanas & Co. EE | Kambos AG. Sylla | Heraklion |
| "CRETAN SNAILS" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 28.K.10 | Maria Vlachou M. Ltd. | Glyfada D. Corinthians | Korinthias |
| 34.K.11 | Al'Arta Snails | Municipality of Ziros | Preveza |
| 33.Κ.12 | Alfionis Bros & Co S.A. | Potamos-Moudros Municipality of Limnos | Limnos |
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Tonnes | 42 | 70 | 200 | 403 | 486 |