EU Publishes New Procedures for Transporting Food, Plants and Animals From Border to Destination

The European Union on Oct. 4 published a directive outlining procedures for the movement of certain foods and feeds, plants and animals from ports of entry to their destination within the EU. The new directive replaces rules set in the 1990s that were repealed by an overhaul of the EU’s border control scheme in 2017, effective in December 2019. Under the new procedures, border authorities may only authorize the transport of a shipment to the establishment at the place of destination indicated in the Common Health Entry Document associated with the shipment. The operator responsible for the establishment at the place of destination must notify the relevant inspection authority within one day of the shipment’s arrival at its destination. A lack of notification within 15 days of authorization of transport will cause an official investigation, which may result in enforcement action against the operator responsible for the consignment. The directive takes effect Dec. 14.