Annex 27

CHAPTER 5.4.**MEASURES AND PROCEDURES APPLICABLE IN THE EXPORTATION OF COMMODITIES**

Article 5.4.1.

Purpose and scope

This chapter provides general principles for measures and procedures that are applicable in the exportation of *commodities* to prevent the spread of pathogenic agents through *international trade* of *commodities*, without creating unjustified restrictions, covering from facilities of origin (such as *establishment*, *slaughterhouse*/*abattoir*, *semen collection centre*) to the *point of exit*. 

This chapter provides *exporting countries* with recommendations on measures and procedures, roles and responsibilities of the *Veterinary Authority* or other *Competent Authorities*, and business operators, in addition to responsibilities that are described in Article 5.1.3. This chapter provides guidance to ensure the quality and performance of official controls for exportation.

This chapter applies to all *commodities*; some recommendations are specifically addressed to certain of those *commodities*.  

Article 5.4.2.

General considerations

The *Veterinary Authority* of the *exporting country* should ensure that *importing country* requirements, including all information required for the agreed *international veterinary certificate*, in accordance with Article 5.1.1. and Chapter 5.3., are available to exporters.

The *Veterinary Authority* of the *exporting country* should be responsible for the performance of official controls in coordination with other relevant *Competent Authorities* in accordance with *veterinary legislation* to ensure that exported *commodities* can be traded safely and meet the requirements of the *importing country*. Its legal mandate, as described in Article 3.4.5. and 3.4.13., should include export control activities at any step and to request from the exporter any necessary information. Where appropriate, the *Veterinary Authority* may delegate certain tasks in accordance with point 2 of Article 3.4.5. Adequate human, technical and financial resources should be available in the *exporting country* to allow those official controls to be undertaken effectively and to properly apply the certification obligations and procedures laid down in Chapters 5.1. and 5.2., in accordance with the quality principles described in Article 3.2.2.

The *Veterinary Authority* should cooperate closely with customs authority and other authorities of the *exporting country* dealing with exports to ensure that official controls are performed effectively, to protect the status of the *commodities* without creating unjustified barriers to trade. This cooperation should also cover actions to prevent and combat fraud.

The *Veterinary Authority* should have procedures for certification of the *animal health status* of the *country*, *zone*, *compartment*, or *herd* as well as of the disease situation in *establishments* and other premises and communicate with the exporter regarding any additional documentary evidence that may be required to support such certification.

The *Veterinary Authority* in the *exporting country* should ensure that the certified *animal health status* of the *country*, *zone*, *compartment*, *herds* or *animals*, is based on appropriate *surveillance* and reporting in accordance with Chapter 1.4.

The *Veterinary Authority* in the *exporting country* should have procedures for registration and approval of *establishments* of origin, where applicable, and other facilities used for production and handling of consignments, to comply with the agreed *international veterinary certificate*.  Operators should not hinder access by the *Veterinary Authority* to the *commodities*, the premises where they are located and the means by which they are transported. During official controls, operators should assist and cooperate with the *Veterinary Authority* and make available all information concerning the consignment.

The *Veterinary Authority* of the *exporting country* should ensure that appropriate identification of *commodities* is in place to support traceability for the consignment to comply with the agreed *international veterinary certificate*. *Animal identification* should be in accordance with Chapter 4.2. and Chapter 4.3.  

Upon request from the *Veterinary Authority* of the *importing country*or from the*Veterinary Authority* of the *transit country*, the *Veterinary Authority* of the *exporting country* should provide additional information on the process to ensure compliance with the conditions included in the agreed *international veterinary certificate*, and give reasonable access for audit in case of repeated non-compliant consignments jeopardising the safety of trade. The *Veterinary Authority* of the *exporting country* should take the appropriate and necessary preventive measures to ensure that the status of the *commodities*is not jeopardised before and during transport. The *exporting country* should suspend the export of a *commodity* when there is reason to believe that it may present a risk for animal and public health or that it does not comply with the agreed *international veterinary certificate*.

The *Veterinary Authority* of the *exporting country* should promptly communicate to the *Veterinary Authority* of the *importing country*, any change or situation that may affect its capacity to fulfil the conditions of the agreed *international veterinary certificate*.

The *Veterinary Authority* of the *exporting country* should also inform without delay the *Veterinary Authority* of *importing country*, and where necessary the *transit country*, in the event that a particular issue affects the status of a *commodity* which has already left the *exporting country*.

The *Veterinary Authority* of the *exporting country*should carry out collaborative activities with other *Competent**Authorities*, customs, other authorities and operators, and with *Veterinary Authorities* in other countries, to control the risk posed by the illegal cross-border movement of *commodities*, i.e. the international movement of *commodities* done in a way to expressly and intentionally avoid official controls.

Article 5.4.3.

General principles applicable to procedures for exportation

1.	Preparation for exportation

Exporters should announce the export to the *Veterinary Authority* sufficiently in advance as to meet to conditions of the agreed *international veterinary certificate* and the administrative requirements of the *exporting*, *transit* and *importing countries*. 

Exporters should provide to the *Veterinary Authority* as required details of the consignment. The *Veterinary Authority* should outline to the exporter the procedures, standards and timeframe for preparation of the consignment, and the documentary evidence required to demonstrate compliance with these requirements. Where relevant, the *Veterinary Authority* should identify eligible bodies or officers for performance and certification of procedures specified in the agreed *international veterinary certificate*. 

The exporter and the *Veterinary Authority* should coordinate the implementation, and its documentation, of the conditions of the agreed *international veterinary certificate*. Implementation of these conditions and its documentation should be in accordance with the procedures and standards communicated by the *Veterinary Authority* of the *exporting country* and will form the basis upon which the *Official Veterinarian* will issue the *international veterinary certificate* for the consignment.

The *Veterinary Authority* should ensure that the facilities and operational procedures required for isolation of animals comply with the conditions of the agreed *international veterinary certificate*, including registration, approval, and inspection, in accordance with Chapters 4.6., 4.7. and 5.7. or other relevant chapters of the *Terrestrial Code*.

Testing of *commodities* required to fulfil the conditions of the agreed *international veterinary certificate* should be in accordance with Article 3.2.10. and with the *Terrestrial Manual*. The *Veterinary Authority* should define and communicate to the exporter the procedures for sample collection, identification and submission, the list of *approved laboratories* and the *approved* diagnostic tests.

The *Veterinary Authority* should define and communicate to the exporter the procedures for *vaccination* and treatment if required to fulfil the conditions of the agreed *international veterinary certificate*. The exporter should arrange for *vaccination* or treatment of animals, noting timeframes relevant to the scheduled date of exportation. *Vaccination* and treatment of animals should use *veterinary medicinal products* registered in the *exporting country*, in line with the conditions of the agreed *international veterinary certificate*.

The *Veterinary Authority* should define and communicate to the exporter the standards and procedures for *disinfection* and disinsection of *vehicles*/*vessels* and *containers* in accordance with Chapter 4.14., if required to fulfil the conditions of the agreed *international veterinary certificate*. 

The exporter should also be able to provide to the *Veterinary Authority* a transport plan from the *point of exit* in the *exporting country* to the point of *unloading* in the *importing country*. In the case of animals, it should be in accordance with Chapters 7.2., 7.3. or 7.4. as relevant.

2.	Procedures of exportation

a)	Verification and certification 

The exporter should cooperate with the *Veterinary Authority* to demonstrate that the conditions of the agreed *international veterinary certificate* have been met and that the consignment is eligible for certification and export. The exporter should provide all documentary evidence of compliance with the conditions of the agreed *international veterinary certificate* as required by the *Veterinary Authority*, including import permit where appropriate. There should be clear traceability and linkage, at every stage of preparation of animals and *animal product*, to the final consignment presented for export, as relevant to fulfil the conditions of the agreed *international veterinary certificate*.

The *Official Veterinarian* should review the preparation of the export consignment to confirm that animals and *animal products* have been clearly identified at every stage of their preparation, that the consignment complies with the conditions of the agreed *international veterinary certificate* and is in accordance with Chapters 5.1. and 5.2. of the *Terrestrial Code*. The *Official Veterinarian* should also review all transport arrangements for the consignment to ensure they support maintenance of the *commodity*’s status and *animal welfare*. 

Once satisfied that preparation and transport arrangements are appropriate and that the consignment is eligible for certification and export, the *Official Veterinarian* should issue the *international veterinary certificate*.

b)	Domestic transportation of commodities

The *Veterinary Authority* should collaborate with other relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that management of the consignment pre-export and during transport is consistent with agreed processes and standards.

The exporter should ensure that the assembly, *loading* and crating of animals or other *commodities* is appropriate to preserving the status and *animal welfare* of the consignment from the *place of shipment*, including adequate *disinfection* and disinsection of the *vehicle*/*vessel* and *container*.

The *Veterinary Authority* in the *exporting country* may require health and welfare inspection of consignments of animals at the *point of exit*, which includes the possibility to deny permission to export if concerns are identified.  

Article 5.4.4.

Specific recommendations depending on commodities

1.	Animals

In the case of animals, the *Veterinary Authority* should ensure that *animal welfare* is maintained throughout the whole process of exportation, in accordance with Chapters 7.1., 7.2., 7.3. and 7.4. as relevant.

The exporter should ensure that *vehicles*/*vessels* used for transportation of animals throughout the whole process of exportation undergo adequate *disinfection*, and that measures are implemented to prevent and control vermin such as rodents or arthropods. These measures should be applied before every *loading* of animals. *Vehicles*/*vessels*should contain only animals of the same status.

*Containers* should be either new or cleaned and disinfected before every *loading* of animals, in accordance with Chapter 4.14., or be for single use. **

The *Veterinary Authority* should ensure that, before leaving the *exporting country*, consignments of animals should be subjected to a visual examination, at an appropriate place and time according to the agreed *international veterinary certificate* and the requirements of the *exporting country*. It should be ensured that, from the time of this visual inspection until the time of leaving the *exporting country*, the animals in the consignment are not in contact with other animals of a different status.

The *Veterinary Authority* in the *exporting country* may require welfare inspection of consignments of animals at the *point of exit*. Such inspections should be supported by *veterinary legislation*, which should also ascribe authority to deny permission to export if *animal welfare* concerns are identified.

2.	Germinal products 

Consignments of *germinal products* should be packed, dispatched, and transported in a way that preserves the viability of the products.  

Consignments of *hatching eggs* should be dispatched from parental *flocks* that meet the conditions of the agreed *international veterinary certificate*. *Containers* should be either new or cleaned and disinfected before every**use, in accordance with Chapter 4.14. **

Cryogenic tanks for semen, oocytes, embryos should be dispatched from *semen collection centres*or*collection centres*that meet the conditions of the agreed *international veterinary certificate*. They should be single-use cryogenic tanks or be cleaned and disinfected before use in accordance with Chapter 4.14. and use new liquid nitrogen. 

Consignments of semen, oocytes, embryos, should be identified in accordance with the relevant recommendations of Chapters 4.6. to 4.11. 

The *Veterinary Authority* should ensure that, before leaving the *exporting country*, consignments of *germinal products* be subjected to a visual examination and documentary check and cryogenic tanks for semen, oocytes, embryos be sealed and marked, according to the agreed *international veterinary certificate* and the requirements of the *exporting country*.

3.	Animal products

*Containers* used for transporting *animal products* should be suitable for the type of product, protect the *animal products* from contamination, and fulfil the conditions of the agreed *international veterinary certificate* and the requirements of the *exporting country*. 

The *Veterinary Authority* should ensure that adequate measures are taken to clean and, where necessary after cleaning, to disinfect before use, *containers* and means of transportation in accordance with Chapter 4.14., particularly when conveying or transporting unpacked materials. 

The *Veterinary Authority* should ensure that, before leaving the *exporting country*, consignments of *animal products* should be subjected to a visual examination and documentary check, according to the agreed *international veterinary certificate* and the requirements of the *exporting country*.

Article 5.4.5.

Emergency plan

The *Veterinary Authority* should develop a plan to address the occurrence within the *exporting country*after the *commodities* have been exported, of a *listed disease* or a disease referred to in the *importing country* requirements, which may have impacted the status of the exported *commodities*. The *Veterinary Authority* should be guided by *importing country* requirements in implementing the plan. 

The *Veterinary Authority* should ensure that the exporter develops a plan to address emergencies which may impact the status of the *commodities* being exported, failure of transport arrangements, or rejection of the consignment by the *transit* or *importing country*. The emergency plan may be generic or specific to each consignment and should focus on preserving the status of the consignment and*animal welfare* in accordance with Chapters 7.2., 7.3. and 7.4. 

The emergency plan should identify responsibility for development and communication of alternative transport arrangements when necessary. The relevant *Competent Authority* in the *transit* and *importing countries* should be consulted regarding revised transport arrangements to assess the implications for the status of the *commodities*. The *Veterinary Authority* in the *exporting country* should be consulted on alternative transport arrangements for consignments of *animals* to ensure that *animal welfare* is preserved.

The emergency plan should include procedures for managing exported consignments that fail to reach the designated *transit* or *importing countries* or are rejected by them.

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Report of the Meeting of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission/September 2023	1