Aquatic animal export: certification requirements for the European Union
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The European Union (EU) does not allow import of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their products. As a result, aquatic animal GMOs (including live salmonids, their gametes or germplasm) or their products are not eligible for export to the EU.
Certificates for food and further processing
- 2021/1471 (2020/2235) Live fish, live crustaceans and products of animal origin from those animals intended for human consumption (FISH-CRUST-HC) (Certificate in TRACES NT)
- 2021/1471 (2020/2235) Live bivalve molluscs, echinoderms, tunicates, marine gastropods and products of animal origin from those animals intended for human consumption (MOL-HC) (Certificate in TRACES NT)
Important notes
- Model health certificates FISH-CRUST-HC and MOL-HC (available at TRACES NT) are for the export from Canada to the EU for live aquatic animals and their products intended for human consumption or further processing.
- Refer to European Union (EU) – Export requirements for fish and seafood for further information on exporting live aquatic animals and their products for human consumption and further processing to the EU. For more information about TRACES NT, refer to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) web page Exporting food and animal products to the European Union.
Certificate for aquaculture, ornamental display, confinement, quarantine, relay or purification, ornamental aquaculture, release into the wild or intended for fishing bait (excluding human consumption)
- 2021/1471 (2020/2236) Entry into the Union of aquatic animals intended for certain aquaculture establishments, for release into the wild or for other purposes, excluding human consumption (AQUA-ENTRY-ESTAB/RELEASE/OTHER) (See TRACES NT for more information).
Important notes
- Model health certificate AQUA-ENTRY-ESTAB/RELEASE/OTHER is to be used for export of live aquatic animals, their gametes or germplasm (fertilized eggs) exported to the EU for the end uses of aquaculture, ornamental display, confinement, quarantine, relay or purification, ornamental aquaculture, release into the wild or intended for fishing bait (excluding human consumption).
- Note: the EU considers any premises exporting wild and cultured aquatic animals held in a facility as "kept". Any premises keeping live aquatic animals will need to be registered (have a valid aquaculture license) or approved (receive approval from CFIA) to be eligible for export. This will include premises exporting ornamental species and aquatic animals for research purposes. Only exports of live aquatic animals harvested from the wild and exported directly to the EU without being kept are exempt from this requirement. Please contact your CFIA Animal Health Office for more information on registration or approval requirements.
- The export certificate will be issued through TRACES NT. The exporter must select the EU model certificate that corresponds to the product intended for export and complete Part I of the certificate. Also, the exporter must include the EU reference IMSOC number (Box I.2.a of part I of the certificate) with their export request in order for the CFIA to retrieve the certificate in TRACES NT.
- Exporters must complete and submit an owner declaration with their export request. Contact your CFIA Animal Health Office for a copy of the owner/operator declaration form and to schedule an inspection of the animals in advance of export.
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