Ref. Ares(2018)2119965-20/04/2018 EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY Health and food audits and analysis DG(SANTE) 2017-6296 FINAL REPORT OF AN AUDIT CARRIED OUT IN DENMARK ON 16 NOVEMBER 2017 IN ORDER TO EVALUATE THE PROPOSAL FOR A BIP FOR LIVE ANIMALS AT AALBORG AIRPORT
Executive Summary The report describes the outcome of an audit carried out by the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety in Denmark on 16 November 2017 in order to evaluate the suitability and readiness of the facilities proposed for the border inspection post (BIP) at Aalborg Airport. The competent authority applied for listing of the BIP for the category 'other animals' (O14) - cats and dogs. It is concluded that the facilities at the BIP are appropriate to house cats and dogs with the necessary equipment for clinical examination, restraint of animals and reading of microchips. There are appropriate arrangements with the airport private operator for looking after the animals and for cleaning, disinfection and pest control. The authorities have designated a private veterinary clinic for treatment, sampling and, if necessary, euthanasia of animals. The BIP staff interviewed were knowledgeable and had received relevant training on importation of live animals and there was evidence of good cooperation between the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and Customs, underpinned by formal agreements, workshops and regular meetings. In light of the above, the proposed BIP at Aalborg airport is ready for listing in Commission Decision 2009/821/EC with the approval category for live animals O(14)- cats and dogs. I
Table of Contents 1 Introduction...1 2 Objectives and scope...1 3 Legal Basis...1 4 Background...2 5 Findings and Conclusions...2 5.1 Organisation of the future controls...2 5.2 BIP facilities and equipment...4 6 Overall conclusions...5 7 Closing meeting...5 II
ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS USED IN THIS REPORT Abbreviation ABP Approval categories BIP BTSF Customs DVFA EU TRACES Explanation Animal by-product Categories of live animals in accordance with Commission Decision 2009/821/EC that are relevant for Aalborg BIP are the following code type: O: Other animals (including zoo animals), (14): A limited number of species are permitted, as defined by the competent national authority. Border Inspection Post Better Training for Safer Food National Customs Authority Danish Veterinary and Food Administration European Union Trade Control and Expert System III
1 INTRODUCTION This audit took place in Denmark on 16 November 2017 and was carried out by one auditor from the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety' Health and Food Audit and Analysis Directorate. The audit was performed at the request of the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA). During the audit, the auditor was accompanied by representatives from the DVFA. An opening meeting was held with the representatives from the central DVFA, the border inspection post (BIP), Customs and the airport operator. At this meeting, the auditor confirmed the objectives and the scope of the audit and gathered additional information required for its satisfactory completion. 2 OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE The objective of the audit was to assess the suitability and readiness of the facilities for live animals (cats and dogs) at the BIP of Aalborg airport following a request for its listing in Commission Decision 2009/821/EC by the DVFA. In particular attention was paid to assessing: whether the controls of the live animals concerned will be implemented in compliance with applicable requirements, and; whether the future implementation of these controls can be effective and suitable in ensuring that: (i) only consignments eligible for import which comply with animal health and animal welfare requirements enter the Union territory; (ii) staff are competent and trained to perform controls at the BIP; (iii) administrative provisions are planned (use of the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES), procedures, documentation etc.); (iv) the facilities fulfil appropriate hygiene requirements. The audit scope covered: the legal and administrative measures implementing the requirements of EU import control legislation with respect to the proposed listing of the facility; the control framework established by the competent authority to ensure the uniform application of these requirements in the proposed BIP; an on-the-spot visit to the facilities and an evaluation of the equipment on site. 3 LEGAL BASIS The audit was carried out under the general provisions of EU legislation and, in particular: 1
Article 45 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules; Article 6(4) Council Directive 91/496/EEC; Article 4 of Commission Decision 2009/821/EC. A full list of the legal instruments referred to in this report is provided in Annex I and refers, where applicable, to the last amended version. 4 BACKGROUND The structure of the competent authorities and the allocation of responsibilities are described in the country profile of Denmark, available at: http://ec.europa.eu/food/audits-analysis/country_profiles/details.cfm?co_id=dk The last audit concerning the system of import controls took place in June 2016, the results of which are described in report DG(SANTE) 2016-8870, available at: http://ec.europa.eu/food/audits-analysis/audit_reports/details.cfm?rep_id=3730 5 FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS 5.1 ORGANISATION OF THE FUTURE CONTROLS Legal requirements Articles 4 and 6 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 Article 35(1) of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 Articles 3, 6, 10 and 12 of, and Annex A to Directive 91/496/EEC Article 3 of Decision 2000/258/EC Article 3 of Commission Decision 2004/292/EC Findings 1. The cooperation and collaboration between the DVFA and the Danish Customs Services is ensured. Two agreements (general and specific) were signed in December 2014, covering the border inspection clearance for commercial consignments of live animals in line with Article 3(1)(d) of Directive 91/496/EEC. Detailed instructions have been provided by the DVFA to the Customs (available also for the Police) and have been uploaded in their Intranet for the implementation of controls on pets. These include the actions to be undertaken in case of non-compliances and prerequisites for controls at the BIP. A dedicated workshop for controls on live animals was organised in the summer of 2017 for the local Customs officials where the BIP veterinarians also attended. Regular meetings are organised at the central and local level between DVFA and Customs. 2
2. There is an agreement with the airport operators for the maintenance of the facilities. The airport operator is required to present live animals for veterinary checks without undue delay avoiding unnecessary waiting in compliance with the requirements of Annex A(1) to Directive 91/496/EEC. 3. The proposed BIP will be placed under the responsibility of DVFA. The staff on the spot carrying out official controls will comprise two part-time official veterinarians. This arrangement is in accordance with Article 6(2)(d) of Directive 91/496/EC. During the weekends and outside working hours, the on-call duties of both of these official veterinarians is scheduled. 4. There are specific procedures for performing official controls at the BIPs for imported live animals and a guide how to take a decision for non-compliant consignments is available for the BIP staff. 5. The staff have undergone four trainings dedicated to veterinary checks of live animals. These were organised by the DVFA in 2016 and 2017, thus satisfying the requirements of Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. One inspector from the BIP participated in a training course for import controls on live animals under a Better Training for Safer Food (BTSF) initiative (London). Twice a year seminars are organised for BIP staff on new/updated legislation, where the information from the BTSF sessions is shared and a discussion for current problems takes place. Staff training is well documented. 6. The official veterinarians are equipped with personal laptops with an access to TRACES in order to enable them to enter the required data according to Article 3 of Commission Decision 2004/292/EC and they have access to all of the common veterinary entry documents for live animals. 7. The cleaning, disinfection and pest controls are under the responsibility of a private company. Check lists for the performed cleaning and disinfection before the audit were available at the BIP. An insecticide lamp was installed in the BIP and toxic bait stations were positioned outside the BIP. 8. A veterinary clinic for sampling, treatment and euthanasia is designated and the contract with this clinic is due to be signed shortly. 9. A private airport company will deal with transport of dead animals and used bedding materials which will be collected when necessary together with International catering waste. Thus no cold storage room is envisaged. 10. Animals which are suffering from or suspected to be infected with any disease presenting a risk for public or animal health after risk assessment by the official veterinarians are to be: placed under quarantine at the holding of destination (the residency of the owner) in line with Article 10(2) second indent of Directive 91/496/EEC; re-dispatched in compliance to Article 12(1)(c) of Directive 91/496/EEC; 3
euthanised, if above options are not applicable, in accordance with Article 35(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013. 11. Blood samples taken at the BIP, necessary to carry out the rabies antibody titration test, will be analysed by the Technical University of Denmark, National Veterinary Institute, Lindholm, approved in accordance with Article 3 of Decision 2000/258/EC. The information for the laboratory is available to other Member States and to the public to the following link: https://www.foedevarestyrelsen.dk/kontrol/autorisation/lister-over-veterinaerevirksomheder/sider/kontrol_rabbiesvacciners_virkning.aspx 12. Verification of the implementation of official controls on the spot will be performed by an official veterinarian, responsible for several BIPs. The planned arrangements of the central competent authority, drawn up with regard to Article 4(6) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 include performance of an audit on the spot once a year at one BIP in the country and assessment of the rest of the BIPs on the basis of questionnaires. Conclusions on the organisation and implementation of official controls 13. Appropriate administrative arrangements with Customs, the airport private operator and a private veterinary clinic should ensure the protection and the wellbeing of imported animals and facilitate their presentation for veterinary checks at import. 14. On the basis of the interviews held and training arrangements in place, staff are deemed to be competent and capable to ensure that appropriate checks are performed on imported consignments of cats and dogs. 5.2 BIP FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT Legal requirements Articles 6 of, and Annex A to Directive 91/496/EEC Annex II(b)of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 Findings 15. The proposed BIP is located within the customs area of Aalborg airport in accordance with Article 6(2)(b) of Directive 91/496/EEC. The facilities belong to the Airport operator. An agreement allowing DVFA to be able to use those facilities is due to be signed upon approval of the BIP. 16. The building has two openings-one for the animals and one for the staff. The layout and the construction of the BIP provides adequate space to house the animals and to perform the veterinary checks. The surfaces are easy to clean and disinfect. The building is pest proof. Three metal cages are available which are big enough to comfortably fit dogs, including large breeds and cats. 4
17. An office, changing room and a bathroom (properly equipped) are available for the staff which is in compliance with point 4 of Annex A to Directive 91/496/EEC. 18. The lighting, ventilation (mechanical), water supply and sewage system are adequate. The floor surfaces are sloped towards the drainage pits in each individual area ensuring suitable collection of the wastewater. 19. Appropriate equipment is at the disposal of the official veterinarians at the BIP. This is placed in stainless steel boxes and includes: a microchip reading device compatible with ISO 11785 in order to comply with the requirements to Annex II(b)of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013); different sizes of muzzles to restrain the animals; syringes and vials for the blood samples. 20. The airport operator has an arrangement with a zookeeper in relation to the transport of live animals to the BIP, as well as for watering, feeding and changing bedding materials (including the supply of feed and bedding). One zookeeper is already appointed by the operator and an agreement is signed with him to look after the animals. Another employee will substitute him when needed. Conclusions on BIP facilities and equipment 21. The facilities and the equipment at the BIP are suitable to house cats and dogs and for performing of the necessary checks by the official veterinarians. 6 OVERALL CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that the facilities at the BIP are appropriate to house cats and dogs with the necessary equipment for clinical examination, restraint of animals and reading of microchips. There are appropriate arrangements with the airport private operator for looking after the animals and for cleaning, disinfection and pest control. The authorities have designated a private veterinary clinic for treatment, sampling and, if necessary, euthanasia of animals. The BIP staff interviewed were knowledgeable and had received relevant training on importation of live animals and there was evidence of good cooperation between the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and Customs, underpinned by formal agreements, workshops and regular meetings. In light of the above, the proposed BIP at Aalborg airport is ready for listing in Commission Decision 2009/821/EC with the approval category for live animals O(14)- cats and dogs. 5
7 CLOSING MEETING A closing meeting was held on 16 November with representatives from the central DVFA, BIP, Customs and the airport operator. At this meeting, the main findings and the preliminary conclusions of the audit were presented by the auditor and were agreed by the authorities. 6
ANNEX 1 LEGAL REFERENCES Legal Reference Official Journal Title Reg. 882/2004 OJ L 165, 30.4.2004, p. 1, Corrected and re-published in OJ L 191, 28.5.2004, p. 1 Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules Reg. 576/2013 OJ L 178, 28.6.2013, p. 1-26 Dir. 91/496/EEC OJ L 268, 24.9.1991, p. 56-68 Dec. 2000/258/EC OJ L 79, 30.3.2000, p. 40 42 Dec. 2004/292/EC OJ L 94, 31.3.2004, p. 63-64 Dec. 2009/821/EC OJ L 296, 12.11.2009, p.1 Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals and repealing Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries and amending Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675/EEC 2000/258/EC: Council Decision of 20 March 2000 designating a specific institute responsible for establishing the criteria necessary for standardising the serological tests to monitor the effectiveness of rabies vaccines 2004/292/EC: Commission Decision of 30 March 2004 on the introduction of the Traces system and amending Decision 92/486/EEC 2009/821/EC: Commission Decision 2009/821/EC of 28 September 2009 drawing up a list of approved border inspection posts, laying down certain rules on the inspections carried out by Commission veterinary experts and laying down the veterinary units in Traces