Responsibilities for animal health and biosecurity measures
- Take responsibility for animal health and biosecurity
Retained EU Law
2016
United Kingdom
Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’) (Text with EEA relevance)
At a glance
What's here
73 compliance obligations
Who this Act binds
Plus 3 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Knowledge of animal health
- Ensure adequate knowledge of animal health and biosecurity
Responsibilities of veterinarians and aquatic animal health professionals
- Veterinarians must prevent, detect, and report animal diseases
Notification within Member States
- Notify authorities of suspected or detected animal diseases and unusual animal deaths
Operators' surveillance obligation
- Monitor animals for disease and abnormal production
Animal health visits
- Arrange animal health visits from a vet based on risk
Disease control measures in restricted zones
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Competent authority must take disease control measures in restricted zones Crown / Minister / Government department
Operators' obligations regarding movements in restricted zones
- Get permission before moving animals in a restricted zone
Obligation of operators to register establishments
- Register your animal establishment before you start operating
Registration obligations of transporters of kept ungulates and delegated acts
- Register with the competent authority before cross-border transport of kept ungulates
Registration obligation of operators conducting assembly operations independently of an establishment
- Register with competent authority before assembling kept ungulates and poultry
Approval of certain establishments and delegated acts
- Obtain and maintain approval for certain animal establishments before operating
Approval of status of confined establishments
- Apply for confined establishment status before moving animals
Obligation of operators to provide information with a view to obtaining approval and implementing acts
- Provide information when applying for approval of your animal establishment and notify changes
Record-keeping obligations of operators of establishments other than germinal products establishments
- Keep detailed records of kept terrestrial animals and their movements
Record-keeping obligations of transporters
- Keep records of animal transport activities for at least 3 years
Record-keeping obligations of operators conducting assembly operations
- Keep records of animals in assembly operations
Operators' obligations in respect of the identification of kept animals of the bovine species
- Identify, document and report cattle movements and births/deaths
Operators' obligations in respect of the identification of kept animals of the ovine and caprine species
- Identify your sheep and goats and keep movement records
Operators' obligations in respect of the identification and registration of kept animals of the equine species
- Identify and register kept equine animals and transmit information to the database
Operators' obligations in respect of the identification and registration of kept animals of the porcine species
- Identify pigs, use movement documents, and submit data to the database
Operators' obligation in respect of the identification of kept terrestrial animals other than animals of the bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine and equine species
- Identify and document kept non-farm animals
Traceability requirements for germinal products of kept animals of the bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine and equine species
- Mark germinal products for traceability to donor, date, and establishment
General requirements for movements of kept terrestrial animals
- Ensure safe movement of kept terrestrial animals
Disease prevention measures in relation to transport
- Take biosecurity measures when transporting kept animals
General requirements for movements of kept terrestrial animals between Member States
- Follow health checks and direct routes when moving animals between EU Member States
Prohibition on movements of kept terrestrial animals for disease eradication purposes outside the territory of a Member State
- Do not move disease-eradication slaughter animals to another EU country without prior authorisation
General requirement applicable to operators in respect of movements of kept terrestrial animals passing through Member States but intended for export from the Union to third countries or territories
- Ensure kept terrestrial animals meet EU health rules before export through another Member State
Movements of kept ungulates and poultry to other Member States
- Check animals meet health conditions before moving between Member States
Disease prevention requirements in respect of assembly operations
- Ensure assembled ungulates and poultry meet health and documentation rules
Movements of kept terrestrial animals other than kept ungulates and poultry to other Member States and delegated acts
- Only move animals to other EU states if they pose no significant disease risk
Kept terrestrial animals intended for confined establishments and delegated acts
- Only move animals to a confined establishment if they meet certain health conditions
Obligation of operators to ensure that animals are accompanied by an animal health certificate
- Ensure animals are accompanied by an animal health certificate when moving
Operators' obligations to cooperate with the competent authority for the purposes of animal health certification
- Cooperate with the competent authority for animal health certification
Self–declaration by operators for movements to other Member States
- Issue self‑declaration document for animal movements between member states
Obligation of operators concerning the notification of movements of kept terrestrial animals to other Member States
- Notify competent authority before moving kept animals to another Member State
Wild terrestrial animals
- Meet animal health conditions before moving wild animals between Member States
General requirements for movements of germinal products
- Ensure safe movement of germinal products with proper authorisation and traceability
Obligations for operators at the place of destination
- Check incoming germinal products and report irregularities
Operators' obligations in respect of movements to other Member States of germinal products of kept animals of the bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine and equine species and germinal products of poultry
- Ensure germinal products meet animal health conditions before moving to other EU Member States
Operators' obligations concerning animal health certification for movements of germinal products of kept animals of the bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine and equine species and germinal products of poultry and delegated acts
- Ensure germinal products are accompanied by an animal health certificate
Notification of movements of germinal products of kept animals of the bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine and equine species and germinal products of poultry to other Member States
- Notify your local authority before sending germinal products to another EU country
Germinal products of kept terrestrial animals other than those of the bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine and equine species and germinal products of poultry
- Only move germinal products to another Member State if no significant disease risk
General animal health obligations for operators and delegated acts
- Prevent spread of animal diseases from your products
Operators' obligations with regard to animal health certificates and delegated acts
- Ensure animal health certificate accompanies certain products moved from restricted zones
Notification of movements of products of animal origin to other Member States
- Notify competent authority before moving animal products that need a health certificate
Obligation of operators to register aquaculture establishments
- Register your aquaculture establishment with the competent authority before starting
Approval of certain aquaculture establishments and delegated acts
- Apply for approval of certain aquaculture establishments
Approval of disease control aquatic food establishments
- Obtain hygiene approval and apply for disease control slaughter approval
Obligation of operators to provide information with a view to obtaining approval
- Provide information to obtain approval for your aquaculture establishment and notify changes
Procedures for the granting of approval by the competent authority
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Competent authority must follow approval procedures for animal establishments Statutory regulator
Review, suspension and withdrawal of approvals by the competent authority
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Competent authority must review, suspend or withdraw establishment approvals Statutory regulator
Record-keeping obligations of transporters
- Keep records of aquatic animal transport activities
General requirements for movements of aquatic animals
- Your business must only move aquatic animals from approved sources and direct to destination
Disease prevention measures in relation to transport
- Take disease prevention measures during transport of aquatic animals
Obligations of operators at the place of destination
- Check documents and report irregularities when receiving aquatic animals
General requirements in respect of movements of aquaculture animals passing through Member States but intended for export from the Union to third countries or territories
- Meet animal health rules when exporting aquaculture animals through other EU Member States
Abnormal mortalities or other serious disease symptoms
- Only move aquatic animals if they show no disease symptoms and are from a healthy environment
Movements of aquaculture animals intended for Member States, zones or compartments which have been declared disease-free or which are subject to an eradication programme, and delegated acts
- Source aquaculture animals only from disease-free areas when moving to protected zones
Movements of wild aquatic animals intended for Member States, or zones or compartments thereof, which have been declared disease–free or which are subject to an eradication programme, and delegated acts
- Take disease prevention measures when moving wild aquatic animals
Movements of live aquaculture animals intended for human consumption in Member States, or in zones or compartments thereof, which have been declared disease–free or which are subject to an eradication programme, and delegated acts
- Only move live aquaculture animals from disease-free areas to disease-free areas for human consumption
Aquatic animals intended for confined establishments for aquaculture and delegated acts
- Only move aquatic animals to confined establishments if they meet disease conditions
Other specific uses of aquatic animals, specific requirements and derogations and delegation of powers
- Take precautions to prevent disease spread when moving aquatic animals for specific purposes
Obligation of operators to ensure that aquaculture animals are accompanied by an animal health certificate
- Accompany aquaculture animals with animal health certificate when moving to/from disease zones
Obligation of operators to ensure that other aquatic animals are accompanied by an animal health certificate
- Ensure aquatic animals are accompanied by an animal health certificate when moved
Operators' obligations to cooperate with the competent authorities for the purposes of animal health certification
- Cooperate with the competent authority for animal health certification
Self–declaration by operators for movements of aquaculture animals to other Member States and delegated acts
- Issue self‑declaration document for moving aquaculture animals to another EU Member State
Obligation of operators concerning the notification of movements of aquatic animals to other Member States
- Notify your local authority before moving aquatic animals to another EU country
General animal health obligations for operators and delegated acts
- Prevent spread of disease from fish products and avoid restricted sources
Animal health certificates and delegated acts
- Ensure animal health certificate accompanies certain aquatic animal products moved from restricted zones
Notification of movements of products of animal origin to other Member States
- Notify your local authority of movements of aquatic animal products requiring a health certificate
Requirements for entry into the Union of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin
- Ensure imported animals and products meet EU entry requirements
Means of transport, equipment, packaging materials, transport water and feed and fodder and delegated and implementing acts
- Take disease prevention measures when transporting animals and products into the UK
Browse 214 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
Taxon Order Family Genera/Species Perissodactyla Equidae Equus spp. Tapiridae Tapirus...
Rinderpest (cattle plague) Sheep and goat plague Swine vesicular disease...
The scope of this Annex is to detail the criteria...
The process of categorisation shall take into account the profile...
Subject matter and aim
Scope
Scope of Parts IV, V and VI
Definitions
Listing of diseases
Emerging diseases
Assessment parameters for the listing of diseases
Listing of species
Disease prevention and control rules to be applied to different categories of listed diseases
Member States' responsibilities
Delegation by a competent authority of official activities
Public information
Obligations of laboratories, facilities and others handling disease agents, vaccines and other biological products
Animal health laboratories
Union notification
Union reporting
Notification and reporting regions
Computerised information system for Union notification and Union reporting of diseases
Implementing powers concerning Union notification and Union reporting and the computerised information system
The competent authority's surveillance obligation
Methodology, frequency and intensity of surveillance
Union surveillance programmes
Delegation of powers
Implementing powers
Compulsory and optional eradication programmes
Measures under compulsory and optional eradication programmes
Content of compulsory and optional eradication programmes submitted for approval to the Commission
Reporting
Implementing powers
Disease–free Member States and zones
Compartments
Lists of disease–free Member States, zones or compartments
Delegation of powers concerning the disease–free status of Member States and zones
Implementing powers
Maintenance of disease–free status
Suspension, withdrawal and restoration of disease–free status
Contingency plans
Implementing powers for contingency plans
Simulation exercises
The use of veterinary medicinal products for disease prevention and control
Delegation of powers for the use of veterinary medicinal products
The establishment of Union antigen, vaccine and diagnostic reagent banks
Access to the Union antigen, vaccine and diagnostic reagent banks
Implementing powers concerning the Union antigen, vaccine and diagnostic reagent banks
Confidentiality of information concerning the Union antigen, vaccine and diagnostic reagent banks
National antigen, vaccine and diagnostic reagent banks
Obligations on operators and other relevant natural and legal persons concerned
Investigation by the competent authority in the event of suspicion of a listed disease
Preliminary disease control measures by competent authorities
Review and extension of the preliminary disease control measures
Epidemiological enquiry
Official confirmation by the competent authority of a listed disease as referred to in point (a) of Article 9(1)
Lifting of preliminary disease control measures where the presence of the listed disease has been ruled out
Immediate disease control measures to be taken by the competent authority
Affected establishments and other locations
Epidemiologically linked establishments and locations
Delegation of powers in respect of disease control measures in affected and epidemiologically linked establishments and other locations
Establishment of restricted zones by the competent authority
Delegation of powers concerning disease control measures in restricted zones
Maintaining disease control measures in restricted zones and delegated acts
Emergency vaccination
Wild animals
Additional disease control measures, coordination of measures and temporary special disease control rules concerning Sections 1 to 5 (Articles 53 to 70)
Obligations on operators and other relevant natural and legal persons concerned in relation to listed diseases as referred to in point (b) of Article 9(1)
Investigation by the competent authority in the event of suspicion of a listed disease as referred to in point (b) of Article 9(1)
Preliminary disease control measures by the competent authority for listed diseases as referred to in point (b) of Article 9(1)
Review and extension of the preliminary disease control measures for listed diseases as referred to in point (b) of Article 9(1)
Obligations of operators and other relevant natural and legal persons and measures to be taken by the competent authority in the event of suspicion of listed diseases as referred to in point (c) of Article 9(1)
Official confirmation of disease by the competent authority
Lifting preliminary disease control measures when the occurrence of a disease is ruled out
Disease control measures by the competent authority for listed diseases as referred to in point (b) of Article 9(1)
Disease control measures to be taken by the competent authority for listed diseases referred to in Article 9(1)(c)
Disease control measures for listed diseases as referred to in point (b) of Article 9(1) in wild animals
Disease control measures for listed diseases as referred to in point (c) of Article 9(1) in wild animals
Coordination of measures by the Commission and temporary special rules concerning Sections 1 to 4
Derogations from the obligation of operators to register establishments
Implementing powers concerning the obligation of operators to register establishments
Derogations from the registration obligation of transporters of kept ungulates
Implementing powers concerning the registration obligation of transporters
Derogations from the registration obligation of operators conducting assembly operations
Implementing powers concerning the registration obligation of operators conducting assembly operations
Obligation of the competent authority concerning registration
Granting of, and conditions for, approval of establishments and delegated acts
Scope of the approval of establishments
Procedures for the granting of approval by the competent authority
Review, suspension and withdrawal of approvals by the competent authority
Registers to be kept by the competent authority
Record-keeping obligations of germinal product establishments
Delegation of powers concerning record-keeping
Implementing powers concerning exemptions from the record-keeping requirements
Member States' responsibility for establishing a system for the identification and registration of kept terrestrial animals
Member States' obligation to establish and maintain a computer database of kept terrestrial animals
Obligation of the competent authority in respect of identification documents, movement documents and other documents for the identification and tracing of kept terrestrial animals
Public availability of information on means of identification
Derogations concerning movements of kept animals of the porcine species
Delegation of powers concerning identification and registration
Delegation of powers concerning derogations from the traceability requirements
Implementing powers concerning the traceability of kept terrestrial animals
Delegation of powers concerning traceability requirements for germinal products
Implementing powers concerning traceability requirements for germinal products
Obligations of operators at the place of destination
Delegation of powers in respect of movements of kept ungulates and poultry to other Member States
Kept ungulates and poultry moved to another Member State and intended for slaughter
Derogation in respect of assembly operations
Delegation of powers concerning assembly operations
Movements of kept terrestrial animals for scientific purposes and delegated acts
Derogations concerning recreational use, sporting and cultural events, work near borders and grazing
Delegation of power concerning circuses, exhibitions, sporting events and recreational use, zoos, pet shops, animal shelters and wholesalers
Implementing power to adopt temporary rules for movements of specific species or categories of kept terrestrial animals
Matters to be taken into account in the adoption of delegated and implementing acts as provided for in this Section
Delegation of powers concerning the obligation of operators to ensure that animals are accompanied by an animal health certificate
Contents of animal health certificates
Delegation of powers and implementing acts concerning the content of animal health certificates
Delegation of powers concerning specific types of movements of kept terrestrial animals
Responsibility of the competent authority for animal health certification
Electronic animal health certificates
Responsibility of the competent authority to notify movements to other Member States
Delegation of power and implementing acts for the notification of movements by operators and by the competent authority
Empowerments concerning the movement of wild terrestrial animals
Delegation of power in respect of movements to other Member States of germinal products of kept animals of the bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine and equine species and germinal products of poultry
Content of animal health certificates
Germinal products intended for scientific purposes and delegated acts
Content of animal health certificates and delegated and implementing acts
National measures concerning disease control and movements of animals and germinal products
National measures designed to limit the impact of diseases other than listed diseases
Obligations of the competent authority concerning the registration of aquaculture establishments
Derogations from the obligation of operators to register aquaculture establishments
Implementing powers concerning derogations from the obligation to register aquaculture establishments
Approval by the competent authority of groups of aquaculture establishments
Approval of status of confined aquaculture establishments
Granting of, and conditions for, approval and delegated acts
Scope of the approval of establishments
Register of aquaculture establishments and disease control aquatic food establishments
Record-keeping obligations of operators of aquaculture establishments
Record-keeping obligations of disease control aquatic food establishments
Delegation of powers concerning record-keeping
Implementing powers concerning exemptions from the record-keeping requirements
Change of intended use
Derogations by Member States concerning the obligation of operators for movement of aquaculture animals between Member States, zones or compartments which are subject to an eradication programme
Member States' measures concerning the release of aquatic animals into the wild
Movements of live wild aquatic animals intended for Member States, or zones or compartments thereof, which have been declared disease–free or which are subject to an eradication programme, and delegated acts
Movements of aquatic animals for scientific purposes and delegated acts
Implementing power to adopt temporary rules for movements of specific species or categories of aquatic animals
Matters to be taken into account in the adoption of delegated and implementing acts as provided for in this Section
Grant of derogations by Member States in respect of national animal health certification
Delegation of powers and implementing acts concerning animal health certification in respect of aquatic animals
Contents of animal health certificates
Delegation of powers and implementing acts concerning the content of animal health certificates
Delegation of powers concerning specific types of movements of aquatic animals to the place of destination
Responsibility of the competent authority for animal health certification and delegated acts
Electronic animal health certificates
Responsibility of the competent authority to notify movements of aquatic animals to other Member States
Delegation of powers and implementing acts for the notification of movements of aquatic animals by operators and by the competent authority
Content of animal health certificates and delegated and implementing acts
National measures designed to limit the impact of diseases other than listed disease
Animal health requirements concerning other animals, and germinal products and products of animal origin of such other animals
Delegation of powers and implementing acts concerning animal health requirements for other animals, and germinal products and products of animal origin of other animals
Lists of third countries and territories from which the entry into the Union of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin is permitted, and implementing and delegated acts
Information to be included in the lists of third countries and territories
Suspension and withdrawal from the lists of third countries and territories and implementing acts
Approval and listing of establishments
Animal health requirements for the entry into the Union of species and categories of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin
Matters to be taken into account in delegated acts provided for in Article 234 with regard to the entry into the Union of animals
Matters to be taken into account in delegated acts as provided for in Article 234 with regard to the entry into the Union of germinal products and products of animal origin
Animal health certificates, declarations and other documents for entry into the Union
Content of animal health certificates
Derogations and additional requirements in respect of certain categories of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin
Disease agents and delegated acts
Plant material and delegated and implementing acts
Export from the Union
Scope of Part VI
General provisions
Maximum number of pet animals
Conditions applicable to non–commercial movements of pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I
Conditions applicable to non–commercial movements of pet animals of the species listed in Part B of Annex I
Conditions applicable to non–commercial movements of pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I
Conditions applicable to non–commercial movements of pet animals of the species listed in Part B of Annex I
Derogation from the conditions applicable to non–commercial movements of pet animals between certain countries and territories
Delegation of powers concerning the identification of pet animals and prevention and risk-mitigation measures
Implementing acts concerning prevention and risk-mitigation measures
Delegation of powers concerning identification documents
Implementing acts concerning identification documents
Information obligations
Emergency measures to be taken by the competent authority of the Member State in the territory of which an outbreak of a listed disease or emerging disease, or a hazard occurred
Emergency measures to be taken by a Member State other than the Member State where the outbreak or hazard occurred
Commission emergency measures
Emergency measures to be taken by the competent authority
Commission emergency measures
Emergency measures to be taken by Member States when the Commission does not act
Amendments to Annex III
Exercise of the delegation
Urgency procedure
Committee procedure
Data protection
Penalties
Additional or more stringent measures by Member States
Repeals
Transitional measures related to the amendment of Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000 and the repeal of Regulation (EC) No 21/2004 and Directive 2008/71/EC
Transitional measures related to the repeals of Directives 92/66/EEC, 2000/75/EC, 2001/89/EC, 2002/60/EC, 2003/85/EC and 2005/94/EC
Amendment of Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003
Transitional measures related to the date of adoption of certain delegated and implementing acts
Prior review and amendments of Annex II
Review
Transitional measures related to the repeal of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 on the non–commercial movement of pet animals
Amendments to Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000
Existing operators and establishments
Existing disease–free Member States, zones and compartments and existing Member State eradication and surveillance programmes
Relation with acts concerning official controls
Evaluation
Entry into force and application
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