Regulation 2016/429 - Transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’) - Main contents

The EU's Animal Health Law

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2016/429 on transmissible animal diseases

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

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  It aims to prevent and control animal diseases that can be transmitted to other animals or humans.
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  The animal health law is part of a package of measures proposed by the European Commission in May 2013 to strengthen the enforcement of health and safety standards for the entire agri-food chain.

KEY POINTS

This comprehensive regulation supports the EU livestock and food production sectors and the related EU market for sustainability, competitiveness, growth and jobs. It replaces and extends existing EU rules on animal health, bringing most together into one simpler law encouraging a better focus on the key priorities in tackling disease, including:

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  clearer responsibilities helping farmers (livestock, fish and shellfish farms) and other stakeholders (e.g. vets) with early detection to prevent major disease outbreaks or diseases from spreading in order to limit their damage;
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  simplified administration for international trade in certain live animals and animal products (such as semen, ova and embryos);
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  a clearer legal basis and better tools for veterinary authorities to fight potentially devastating transmissible diseases, particularly for their surveillance, diagnosis and notification;
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  more flexibility to adjust rules to local circumstances and emerging issues such as those due to climate and social change;
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  reducing adverse effects on animal and human health and the environment.

It sets out requirements for:

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  disease prevention and preparation (e.g. biosecurity* measures) for eventual outbreaks, such as the use of diagnostic tools, vaccination and medical treatments;
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  the identification and registration of animals and the certification and tracing of their consignments, as well as those of certain animal products (e.g. semen, ova, embryos);
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  the entry of animals and animal products into the EU and movement within;
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  disease control and eradication, including emergency measures such as restrictions on the movement of animals, killing and vaccination.

The rules cover animal diseases in all kept animals (including pets for some), wild animals and animal products, both terrestrial and aquatic. They do not directly cover animal welfare, although the link between the health of the animals and their welfare is recognised and taken into account when considering the impact of disease.

The EU's Animal Health Law is supplemented in the following aspects:

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  the approval of germinal product establishments and the traceability and animal health requirements for movements within the EUUnion of germinal products of certain kept terrestrial animals;
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  prevention and control of certain diseases;
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  animal health requirements for the movements within the EUUnion of terrestrial animals and hatching eggs;
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  surveillance, eradication and disease free status for certain diseases;
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  rules for aquaculture establishments and transporters of aquatic animals;
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  rules for entry into the EUUnion, and the movement and handling after entry of consignments of certain animals, germinal products and products of animal origin; and
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  rules for establishments keeping terrestrial animals and hatcheries, and the traceability of certain kept terrestrial animals and hatching eggs.
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  diseases subject to union surveillance programmes, its geographical scope and diseases for which disease-free status of compartments may be established.

The regulations supplementing EU's Animal Health Law are:

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  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/686,
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  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687,
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  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688,
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  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689,
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  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/691,
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  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692,
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  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035,
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  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/690.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

The regulation applies from 21 April 2021. It includes, however, some transitional measures and repeals of older legislation which apply from 21 April 2016.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

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  The EU Animal Health Law (European Commission)

KEY TERMS

biosecurity: management procedures, actions or facilities designed to reduce the risk of disease in animals

MAIN DOCUMENT

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’) (OJ L 84, 31.3.2016, pp. 1-208)

Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) 2016/429 have been incorporated into the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

last update 31.08.2016

This summary has been adopted from EUR-Lex.