Chapter 5.4.

Animal health measures applicable
before and at departure

Article 5.4.1.

1. Countries should only authorise the exportation from their territory of animals for breeding or rearing or animals for slaughter which are correctly identified and which meet the requirements of the importing country.

2. Biological tests and/or vaccinations required by the importing country should be carried out in accordance with the recommendations in the Terrestrial Code and Terrestrial Manual, as well as disinfection and disinfestation procedures.

3. Observation of the animals before leaving the country may be carried out either in the establishment where they were reared, or in a quarantine station. When they have been found to be clinically healthy and free from diseases listed by the OIE by an Official Veterinarian during the period of observation, the animals should be transported to the place of shipment in specially constructed vehicles, previously cleansed and disinfected. This must be done without delay and without the animals coming into contact with other susceptible animals, unless these animals have animal health guarantees similar to those of the transported animals.

4. The transportation of the animals for breeding or rearing or animals for slaughter from the establishment of origin to the point of departure from the exporting country shall be carried out in conformity with the conditions agreed between the importing country and exporting country.

Article 5.4.2.

1. semen,

2. embryos/ova,

3. hatching eggs,

from artificial insemination centres, collection centres or farms which meet the requirements of the importing country.

Article 5.4.3.

Countries exporting animals, semen, embryos/ova or hatching eggs should inform the country of destination and where necessary the transit countries if, after exportation, a disease listed by the OIE occurs within the incubation period of that particular disease, in the establishment of origin, or in an animal which was in a collecting centre where animals for breeding or rearing or animals for slaughter from different establishments or markets are collected together, or in a market, at the same time as the exported animals.

Article 5.4.4.

Before the departure of animals, semen, embryos/ova, hatching eggs and brood-combs of bees, an Official Veterinarian should, within the 24 hours prior to shipment, provide an international veterinary certificate conforming with the models approved by the OIE (as shown in Chapters 5.10. to 5.12. of the Terrestrial Code) and worded in the languages agreed upon between the exporting country and the importing country, and, where necessary, with the transit countries.

Article 5.4.5.

1. Before the departure of an animal or a consignment of animals on an international journey, the Veterinary Authority of the port, airport or district in which the border post is situated may, if it is considered necessary, carry out a clinical examination of the animal or consignment. The time and place of the examination shall be arranged taking into account customs and other formalities and in such a way as not to impede or delay departure.

2. The Veterinary Authority referred to in point 1 above shall take necessary measures to:

   1. prevent the shipment of animals affected or suspected of being affected with any disease listed by the OIE or with any other infectious disease;

   2. avoid entry into the vehicle of possible vectors or causal agents of infection.

Article 5.4.6.

1. Countries should only authorise the export from their territory of meat and products of animal origin intended for human consumption, which are fit for human consumption. They must be accompanied by an international veterinary certificate conforming with the models approved by the OIE (as shown in Chapters 5.10. to 5.12. of the Terrestrial Code). These must be worded in the languages agreed upon between the exporting country and the importing country, and, where necessary, with the transit countries.

2. Products of animal origin intended for use in animal feeding, or for pharmaceutical or surgical or agricultural or industrial use, should be accompanied by an international veterinary certificate conforming with the models approved by the OIE (as shown in Chapters 5.10. to 5.12. of the Terrestrial Code).