Publication
Products of Animal Origin for Human Consumption: Honey and other Apiculture Products
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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1. Honey is defined in Directive 2001/110/EC as the natural sweet substance produced by Apis mellifera (bees).
2. Apiculture products are defined in Part IX of Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 as honey, beeswax, royal jelly, propolis or pollen.
3. Honey and other apiculture products can be imported provided that it:
• comes from an approved country/part of a country
• is accompanied by an agreed animal/public health certificate
4. Honey and other apiculture products intended for human consumption must have been produced in accordance with the conditions laid down in:
• Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety
• Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs
• Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 laying down specific rules for food of animal origin
• 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’)
• Regulation (EU) 2017/625 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products
• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2292 of 6 September 2022 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to requirements for the entry into the Union of consignments of food-producing animals and certain goods intended for human consumption
1. The approved Third Country list for imports of honey and other apiculture products can be found in the column ‘Country’ in the Annex -I of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/405 and marked with an ‘X’ in the column ‘Honey’.
2. There is currently no list of EU approved establishments for honey and other apiculture products. Establishments, in approved Third Countries, need only be registered by the relevant competent authority. The establishments must have a programme based on the HACCP principles in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004.
3. Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein have international agreements with the EU which means that they implement EU veterinary legislation in relation to the movement of animal products. Animal products from these countries must comply with the same requirements applying to animal products from EU Member States and are therefore not subject to veterinary checks.
4. Other Third Countries have special conditions associated with import of products of animal origin. Further information can be found in the following legislation relevant to that particular country:
• Canada: Council Decision 1999/201/EC; Decision 79/542/EC
• New Zealand: Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/1901 ; Council Decision 97/132/EC
• Japan: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1533
• USA: Council Decision 1998/258/EC
1. Honey and other apiculture products shall be presented at a Community Border Control Post accompanied by a veterinary health certificate, that shall correspond to the model HON drawn up in accordance with the model set out in Chapter 45 of Annex III of Regulation (EU) 2020/2235
2. The certifying veterinarian should ensure that only the relevant paragraphs and, where appropriate, additional guarantees and/or special conditions applicable to exporting country are included.
1. Consignments of honey and other apiculture products entering the EU must be inspected at an EU-approved Border control Post (BCP) where Member States' official veterinarians ensure they fulfil all the requirements provided for in the EU legislation.
2. The person responsible for the load being imported (the importer or a customs agent acting on their behalf) must give the BCP at the intended point of entry advance notification of the arrival of the consignment.
3. There is a required minimum pre-notification notice period of at least 24 hours’ notice in advance of the consignment’s arrival.
4. Failure to submit correct documentation within this timeline may result in significant delays in the consignment being processed through the Border Control Post.
5. Pre-notification is given by the submission of Part 1 of the Common Health Entry Document (CHED-P), as is laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No. 2019/1715, through the online TRACES system.
6. Copies of other supporting documentation associated with the consignment should be submitted at this time as well - such as the Health Certificate, Invoice, Packing list and so on.
7: Necessary documents and logistical information must be submitted 24 hours in advance via the DAFM Import Portal
1. Providing all the documentation has been submitted correctly and within the correct timeframes, a large proportion of the documentary check can be commenced in advance of the consignment’s arrival. This includes examination of the veterinary certificate and other documents accompanying a consignment.
Please note the original hard copy of the health certificate must travel with the consignment, this will be checked and held at the BCP at the point of entry into the EU.
2. Provided all is in order with the documentary check, the consignment will then be subject to an identity check at the BCP to ensure it identifies with the consignment that was declared in the documentation.
3. A proportion of consignments will be selected for a full physical inspection with/without sampling as appropriate.
4. Upon satisfactory completion of the required checks, the decision is entered in Part 2 of the CHED which must accompany the consignment to the first place of destination referred to in the CHED.
5. If the consignment does not meet the import requirements, the consignment may be rejected and either re-exported or destroyed.