On 22 April, the European Commission adopted a implementing act (passed on 25 march), updating several models of animal health certificates required for the import of terrestrial animals and their germinal products into the EU. The regulation will enter into force on 2 May 2025.
Main changes:
- Removal of the OV/CAP-X-NI certificate: The certificate for the movement of sheep and goats from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is no longer valid since December 2024.
- New antimicrobial certification requirements: Certificates for bovines, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, and poultry now require verification that the animals or their products come from third countries that comply with EU rules on antimicrobial use.
- Recognition of scrapie-resistant goats: Certificates concerning sheep, goats, and their germinal products now allow the specific certification of animals genetically resistant to classical scrapie, following updates under Regulation (EU) 2024/887.
- Alignment of certificates for confined animals: Updated health requirements for confined ruminants and hippos, with the removal of outdated references.
- New certification options for Newcastle disease: Certificates for poultry, ratites, and their germinal products now include options linked to disease zoning for Newcastle disease, based on Regulation (EU) 2021/404.
Next steps:
- Effective date: 2 May 2025
- Transition period: Old certificates remain valid for shipments until 12 February 2026, if issued before 12 November 2025.