AAVs must ensure that animals are identified in accordance with EU requirements prior to the administration of the anti-rabies vaccination.
AAVs should be aware that while the EU legislation may require animals to be a minimum of 12 weeks old at the time of anti-rabies vaccination, anti-rabies vaccinations registered for use in Australia generally require animals to be a minimum of 3 months old (which is slightly older than 12 weeks). AAVs should ensure they are cognisant of their professional responsibilities in accordance with their state veterinary registration with respect to administration of any veterinary drug.
It is the exporter's responsibility to ensure that the animal meets the European Union (EU) import requirements.
Information about the process required to import animals into European Union can be found on the EU website(.http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/nocomm_third_en.htm)
The importation of dogs, cats and ferrets into the EU is strictly regulated under EU legislation and enforced by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture through departmental officers in the regional office where the animals are to be exported from.
The EU allows the importation of dogs, cats and ferrets under two separate classifications beingNon-commercial movements and Imports (also known as Commercial movements).
Both classifications have separate:
- import health conditions
- health certification
- declarations
- transit/transhipment permissions en route to the EU
It is the responsibility of the exporter to use the appropriate EU health certificate, and ensure that this and any accompanying declarations are in English and the appropriate language of the EU Member State of the border inspection post (BIP) where the animals will enter the EU.
Australian departmental officers will only endorse health certification for dogs, cats and ferrets destined to the EU if it is written in English and if required the language of the EU Member State of the BIP where the animals will enter the EU.
Australian departmental officers will not endorse health certification for dogs, cats and ferrets destined to the EU if only presented in a language other than English.
The department’s regional office located nearest to the Australian airport/port of departure can provide prospective exporters with templates of the bilingual health certificates and declarations in the requested EU language and English.
A.Q.I.S. Accredited Vet
If you are taking your pet overseas our A.Q.I.S Accredited vet can help you with matters pertaining to export.