Directorate General for Health and Consumer Affairs (DG Sanco) representatives Pedro Rosado Martin and Pierangelo Bernorio addressed the conference on European pet import legislation at Interzoo in Nuremberg, Germany on Saturday to update the pet industry on changes to legislation and the reasons for increased restriction on the pet trade.

Martin explained the key changes to European Directive on Aquatic Health, which will come into effect in August this year. While Martin said the general principles of the existing legislation, which applies only to fish, will remain unchanged, it would be extended to cover crustaceans and molluscs and made more restrictive with regard to animals susceptible to emerging exotic diseases within the European Union such as Koi Herpes Virus, and Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome and White Spot Disease.

New legislation, Martin said, would require that all imports for trade are documented and certificated and that the country of origin is listed in an annex to the legislation. This means that not all countries will be able to import animals for open facilities. Freedom from exotic diseases in the area of origin for susceptible and vector species will also be required or quarantine could be applicable. The implementation of the legislation will be staggered and imports of ornamental fish will continue as normal until 2009 and the strict guidelines requiring certification confirming freedom from exotic diseases on all imports will not come into force until December 31 2010.

Bernorio said that the European Commission (EC) was moving toward a more cautious certification process for in its ongoing review into import legislation for high risk reptiles, amphibians and small mammals intended for open facilities and trade but called on the industry to avoid rumours and speculation on the basis of working documents.

Bernorio said: "There have been quite a lot of rumours about the actions that the commission is going to take. I can confirm that these are rumours because the commission has not yet even a document on these we have a working paper working developed together with experts in the member states to try to see what the position of the different member states is."

Bernorio said it was necessary to harmonise the importation procedure for different species and to restore public confidence in animal importation with stricter guidelines. He highlighted the effect of HN51 and Bluetongue as examples of how important the legislation was in terms of public health and confidence. Bernorio said that there was currently no timeline in place for the implementation of new legislation but said DG Sanco would keep the industry updated.

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