The European Commission has established the rules applying to the introduction into the Community of personal consignments of products of animal origin, and has therefore published in the OJEU on March 23rd, Regulation (EC) Nº 206/2009 of March 5th 2009. These provisions amend Regulation (EC) Nº 136/2004 and lay down some rules aiming at ensuring food safety in trade and movement of such products of animal origin.

Regulation (EC) Nº 206/2009 lays down rules concerning the introduction into the Community of personal consignments of products of animal origin of a non commercial character which form part of travellers' luggage, or are sent as small consignments to private persons, or are ordered remotely (for example, by mail, by telephone or via the Internet) and delivered to the consumer.

Due to the risk of introducing diseases into the European Union (EU), there are strict procedures for the introduction of certain animal products into the EU. These procedures do not apply to the movements of animal products between the 27 Member States of the EU, or for animal products coming from Andorra, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, and Switzerland.

All animal products not conforming to these rules must be surrendered on arrival in the EU for official disposal. Failure to declare such items may result in a fine or criminal prosecution.

This Regulation details the special conditions of packing and maximum weight allowed for the following categories of foods and products of animal origin which are transported for personal use:

• Small quantities of meat and milk and their products (other than powdered infant milk, infant food, and special foods or special pet feed required for medical reasons)
• Powdered infant milk, infant food, and special foods required for medical reasons
• Pet feed required for medical reasons
• Small quantities of fishery products for personal human consumption
• Small quantities of other animal products for personal human consumption
• Larger quantities of animal products
• Exempted animal products
• Animal products from protected species

The competent authority or authorities, and those which carry out official controls, in cooperation with port and airport operators and with operators responsible for other points of entry for personal consignments of products of animal origin, will organise effective controls at points of entry into the Community.

Member States will ensure that at all points of entry into the Community, the veterinary conditions applicable to personal consignments introduced into the Community are brought to the attention of travellers arriving from third countries. A series of posters will be available to warn passengers on mew rules applying to certain type of goods.

Member States will ensure that the general public is made aware of the requirements concerning the introduction into the Community of products of animal origin which are sent as small consignments to private persons or are ordered remotely by final consumers.

The Regulation concerning the introduction into the Community of personal consignments of products of animal origin will apply from May 1st 2009.