Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

european communities act 1972

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

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

GENERAL IMPORT authorisation

Licence No: DARD/GEN/10/22

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:

Whole carcases, parts of carcases, organs, glands, blood, faeces, urine or other body fluids or tissues/materials derived from these commodities from animals of the family Canidae, Family Felidae, Order Rodentia and Order Lagomorpha* born and bred in captivity and not known or suspected to be infected with specified animal pathogens, and intended for research, testing, diagnostic and/or educational purposes. Please note this authorisation excludes viable semen, ova and embryos intended for artificial breeding puurposes.

Please note this authorisation excludes viable semen, ova and embryos intended for artificial breeding purposes –*see note 13

from Australia, Canada, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, Switzerland and the USA 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 authorisation

1.	This authorisation can only be used for the importation into Northern Ireland of whole carcases, parts of carcases, organs, glands, blood, faeces, urine or other body fluids or tissues/materials derived from these commodities (hereafter called ‘products’) from animals of the family Canidae, Family Felidae, Order Rodentia and Order Lagomorpha not known or suspected to be infected with specified animal pathogens, and intended for research, testing, diagnostic and/or educational purposes.
2.	This authorisation is valid for multiple consignments and the net weight of the material per consignment must not exceed 15 kg.
3.	Each consignment must be accompanied by:
•	a copy of this authorisation
•	commercial/shipping documents providing the name and address of consignor and consignee, type of product and quantities;
4.	Each consignment must be accompanied by a declaration (see note i) signed by a veterinarian or director of the consigning laboratory/establishment confirming that:
•	the products are derived from animals born and bred in captivity and kept isolated from other animals not born and bred in captivity;
•	the products are not derived from animals known or suspected to be infected with a specified animal pathogen (e.g. rabies) listed by the Specified Animal Pathogens Order (NI) 2008 (as amended);
•	the animals have not been kept with animals known or suspected to be infected with specified animal pathogen, nor have they been used in experiments involving live pathogens listed in the Specified Animal Pathogens Order (NI) 2008 (as amended) (see note 8).
5.	The samples must be worked on and stored in facilities working to at least ACDP containment level 2 (see note 4).
6.	This authorisation must not be used for specimens from animals which are or were known or suspected to be infected with a specified animal pathogen (see note 9 for further information).
7.	The exterior 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 importation into the UK for research purposes.
8.	The products must remain in their original packaging at all times until arrival at the destination premises.
9.	All consignments must be taken directly from the point of entry into the UK to the destination premises.
10.	The consignment, or its packaging, must not be allowed to come into contact with any ruminating animals, swine, poultry or horses.
11.	None of the material to which this authorisation relates shall be used for human consumption under any circumstances.
12.	On completion of the research, testing, diagnostic and/or educational work any residues of the material and the remainder of the packaging must be: either incinerated at an approved premises for the disposal of animal by-products (see note 8), autoclaved or re-exported (see note 11).
13.	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. For information on animal diseases please see http://www.dardni.gov.uk/index/publications/pubs-dard-animal-health/publications-ahw-notifiable-diseases.htm
14.	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 8 and 11).
15.	A complete record/audit trail must be kept by all parties that handle the material. The products must not under any circumstances be supplied to a third party as a commercial transaction.
16.	If at any time you are unable to meet the conditions on the authorisation; 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.
17.	The importer is responsible for ensuring that the person(s) sending the material to the UK is aware of the conditions of this authorisation.
18.	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.
19.	Any products and records relating to the product imported under this authorisation shall be made available if so required 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
1.	Please see the guidance and the declaration template on our website.
2.	It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure that the exporter provides the necessary declaration referred to above.
3.	If you wish to import products listed above, derived from an animal or from a country other than that specified, you should contact Veterinary Service Trade Section.
4.	Containment level 2 must be used for work with biological agents in hazard group 2. Laboratory personnel must receive suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training in working safely with agents in hazard group 2. A high standard of supervision of the work should be maintained.
5.	Nothing in this authorisation 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, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species or by any regulation superseding or amending the same.
6.	This authorisation 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.
7.	Please note that while this authorisation is current at the time of issue, conditions can be subject to frequent change and importers are advised to check the latest position with Veterinary Service Trade Section.
9.	A list of approved incineration premises is available on our website: http://www.dardni.gov.uk/index/animal-health/animal-by-products/animal-by-products-approved-premises.htm. Further information is available from the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk./foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/pathogens/index.htm A copy of the Specified Animal Pathogens Order (NI) 2008 can be obtained from the following website: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/sr/sr2008/nisr 20080336 en 1.
9.	If any pathogens are known or suspected to be present, it is the responsibility of the importer to carry out a risk assessment and to use suitable containment facilities as required by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH).
10.	This authorisation only deals with animal products. If you wish to import live animals of the species listed above, you should contact Veterinary Service Trade Section.
11.	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.
12.	Notification procedures are under review and may be subject to change. Please see guidance note for further information.
13.	Canidae is the biological family of carnivorous and omnivorous mammals that includes the wolves, foxes, jackals, coyotes, and the domestic dog.
Felidae is the biological family of the cats; a member of this family is called a felid or feline. The most familiar felid is the domestic cat, but the family includes all other wild cats including the big cats.
Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing. Common rodents include mice, rats, squirrels, porcupines, beavers, guinea pigs, and voles.
Lagomorpha is an order of mammals in which there are two families, the Leporidae, (hares and rabbits), and the Ochotonidae (pikas).
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 authorisation 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