International and policy rationale
- The order is grounded on Resolution No. XXI of the International Committee, upon recommendation of the Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) dated May 30, 2008, which recognizes Germany as having a controlled Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) risk under Chapter 2.3.13 of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code.
- The order recognizes OIE Animal Health Code guidelines setting conditions under which beef and beef products from animals of all ages may be safely traded.
- The order authorizes importation only under specified sanitary and labeling conditions.
Coverage: what the ban lift allows
- The order lifts the temporary ban on the importation of meat and meat products derived from cattle from Germany.
- The lifted importation covers boneless beef and bone-in beef.
- The importation is permitted only for beef that meets the conditions that must be certified by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection.
- The order governs all shipments into the country of beef originating from Germany.
Conditions for import certification and compliance
- Imports must be certified by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection.
- Imported boneless and bone-in beef may be sourced only from cattle of all ages that are devoid of any nerves and other BSE-specified risk materials (SRM).
- Imported beef, whether boneless or bone-in, must come only from healthy ambulatory cattle and must not come from “downer” cattle.
- The slaughter date of the cattle or the production date of the beef must be included in the packaging label.
Enforcement and consequences for non-compliance
- Shipments of beef originating from Germany that do not comply with the specified conditions are subject to confiscation.
- Confiscation is carried out by DA Veterinary Quarantine Officers/Inspectors.
- Confiscation applies at all major sea/airports where shipments enter the country.
Repeal or amendment of inconsistent rules
- All orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with the order are repealed or amended accordingly.
- The order’s operative effect is immediate upon issuance, and it governs import handling of German cattle meat products under the stated conditions.