Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

european communities act 1972

diseases of animals order (Northern ireland) 1981

the products of animal origin (third country imports) regulations (northern ireland) 2007 (AS AMENDED)

diseases of animals (importation of bird products) order (northern ireland) 1996

landing of carcases and animal products order (northern ireland) 1985 (as amended)

GENERAL IMPORT authorisation

Licence No: DARD/GEN/10/10

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in accordance with the terms of the above legislation, hereby authorises subject to and in accordance with the conditions set out below, the landing in Northern Ireland of:

Animal tissue derived from mammals and birds fixed in formalin intended for museum purposes from all countries at all ports and airports in Northern Ireland until further notice or unless revoked by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Dated: 11 May 2010

Lisa Reid, Officer of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Conditions attached to this licence

1.	This licence is valid for multiple consignments and the net weight of the imported material per consignment must not exceed 15 kg.
2.	Each consignment must be accompanied by:
•	a copy of this licence
•	commercial/shipping documents providing the name and address of consignor and consignee, type of product and quantities;
•	a declaration (see note i) signed by a veterinarian or director of the laboratory/establishment confirming that the tissue has been thoroughly fixed in formalin such that the formalin has penetrated throughout the entire sample/specimen (see note iii).
3.	The packaging must be clearly labelled to indicate the general authorisation number under which the product is imported. The label should also state that material is for research purposes.
4.	The products must remain in their original wrapping until their arrival at destination premises.
5.	All packages must be taken directly from the point of entry into the UK to the destination premises.
6.	The consignment, or its packaging, must not be allowed to come into contact with any ruminating animals, swine, poultry or horses.
7.	None of the material to which this licence relates shall be used for human consumption.
8.	On completion of the testing, any residues of the material and the remainder of the packaging must be either incinerated at a premises that has been approved for the disposal of animal by-products (see note 4), autoclaved or re-exported (see note 7).
9.	If there is an outbreak of a notifiable/reportable disease in the exporting country/countries, the conditions of this authorisation may change. In this event, you should contact Veterinary Service Trade Section. Further information on animal diseases can be found at: http://www.dardni.gov.uk/index/publications/pubs-dard-animal-health/publications-ahw-notifiable-diseases.htm
10.	If the product is to be supplied to another establishment, the importer must make the recipient aware of the requirement to destroy or re-export the residues of the product (see notes 4 and 7).
11.	Products imported under this licence are museum use only. A complete record/audit trail must be kept by all parties that handle the material. Products must not under any circumstances be supplied to a third party as a commercial transaction.
12.	If at any time you are unable to meet the conditions on the licence; or any unlicensed animal pathogen is discovered in the imported material, work must be suspended immediately and the facts reported at once to Veterinary Service Trade Section.
13.	The importer is responsible for ensuring that the exporter is aware of the conditions of this licence.
14.	You must inform Veterinary Service Trade Section of your intention to use this licence and forward a copy of the declaration at point 3 upon import of the product.
16.	Any products and records relating to the product imported under this licence shall be made available for inspection by an Officer of DARD at any place nominated by him/her for such inspection. The importer or his agent shall afford all assistance necessary to such an officer to enable him/her to carry out the inspection in such a manner as he/she shall determine and the importer shall be responsible for meeting any costs of carrying out such an inspection.
NOTES
i.	Please see the guidance for the declaration template
ii.	It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure the exporter provides the necessary declaration.
iii.	Formalin: Aqueous solutions of formaldehyde are referred to as formalin. 100% formalin consists of a saturated solution of formaldehyde (this is about 40% by volume or 37% by mass) in water. Importers should note that the time taken to fix the tissue varies with factors such as the thickness of the tissue. When tissues are initially fixed in formalin it is normal to use about 10 volumes of fixative to one volume of tissue. Formalin fixed specimens for research must be cut so that one dimension is no greater than one centimetre and must be placed in not less than 9 times its own volume of 10% formalin for at least 48 hours before import. Larger specimens (e.g. for museum and educational purposes) must be placed in not less than 9 times its own volume of 10% formalin for at least two weeks before being imported. When tissue is imported into the UK, providing the tissue has been thoroughly fixed throughout, the same volume of fixative is not required.
iv.	Safety: Importers are responsible for ensuring that the health and safety requirements relating to the specimens, any infectious agents and the fixative are appropriately assessed and dealt with by ensuring suitable packaging and labelling. See condition 3.
v.	This licence cannot be used for animal material fixed in formalin that is intended for diagnostic work. If you wish to import material for diagnosis, you will need to apply for a specificc licence. If the diagnostic work involves animal pathogens, you will need to apply for a Pathogens Licence from Veterinary Service Trade Section.
GENERAL NOTES
1.	Nothing in this licence gives exemption from any prohibition or restriction imposed by any other legislation including: the Official Feed and Food Controls Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007, the provisions of The Food Safety (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 and regulations made under it, the Animal By-Products (Identification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999, the Marketing Authorisations for Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2009, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003, International Air Transport Association, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species or by any regulation superseding or amending the same.
2.	This licence is granted under animal health import legislation and gives no exemption from any prohibition, regulation or restriction imposed by any other Government Department or Agency.
3.	Please note that while this licence is current at the time of issue, conditions can be subject to frequent change. Importers are advised to check the latest position with Veterinary Service Trade Section.
4.	A list of approved incineration premises is available on our website: http://www.dardni.gov.uk/index/animal-health/animal-by-products-approved-premises.htm
5.	Further information on the importation of Specified Animal Pathogens is available from the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/pathogens/index.htm#list
A copy of the Specified Animal Pathogens Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 can be obtained from the following website: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/sr/sr2008/nisr 20080336 en 1
6.	This licence only deals with animal products. If you wish to import live animals of the species listed above, you should contact Veterinary Service Trade Section.
7.	If the material is to be re-exported, you should ensure that the importing country will permit entry and that you have the correct paperwork to accompany the consignment.
8.	Notification procedures are under review and may be subject to change. Please see guidance note for current process.
CAUTION

It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure that any import covered by this licence complies with the terms and conditions as set out. Any breach of any conditions attached to this licence will constitute an offence against the Diseases of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.

CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Veterinary Service Trade Section,

Room 732, Dundonald House, Ballymiscaw,

Upper Newtownards Road,

Belfast, BT4 3SB

Tel: 028 905 20832 Fax: 028 905 25472

e-mail tradeadminpost@dardni.gov.uk