The main target of this BTSF course is to provide support on strategies and actions at promoting and strengthening the areas covered within the SPS framework, and related areas for which the European Commission has a strategic interest. They are broadly encompassed in the fields of food safety, plant health, animal health and welfare, and general bi-lateral trade matters (i.e. EU importing requirements) covered within those topics.
The main objectives that this BTSF non-EU SPS workshop aims to achieve are to contribute to:
- Train the officers of the competent authorities of invited countries on the European Union’s food safety control system in place on Import regime for food of animal origin.
- Better understanding of EU legal framework on sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), animal health, entry certificates to the EU, microbiological criteria, residues of pharmacologically active substances, pesticides, and contaminants in animals and animal-origin products, residue control plans, and official controls at EU border control posts
- Better trade relations with non-EU countries for which improved market access is sought by both parties.
- Promote the EU standards as globally recognised standards that provide a high level of consumer, plant and animal protection.
- Promote European Commission’s strategic interests such as the development of sustainable food systems, and the EU’s animal welfare laws that can contribute to improving animal welfare standards that contributes to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The course addresses the following topics:
- Present the European Union’s food safety control system in place on Import regime for food of animal origin.
- Facilitate the understanding of EU legal framework on sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), animal health, entry certificates to the EU, microbiological criteria, controls of residues of pharmacologically active substances, pesticide, and contaminants in animals and animal-origin products, residue control plans, and official controls at EU border control posts.
- Strengthen trade relations with non-EU countries for which improved market access is sought by both parties.
- Promote fair practices and common level playing field at international level of food of animal origin by understanding and acceptance of internationally recognised standards to which the EU adheres to (i.e. World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) standards and Codex Alimentarius).
- Promote sustainable food systems by incorporating EU’s animal welfare laws contributing to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Comply with EU compromise to deliver capacity building on SPS matters as included in trade and development agreements with EU’s trade partners
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Officials of the Competent Authority, inspection public services, involved in the design and implementation of legislation applicable to official controls on food of animal origin.
- Inspectors directly involved in the verification of compliance with the legislation on food of animal origin (e.g., animal health and welfare, hygiene of food and feed, composite products).
- Inspectors / competent authority involved in the certification process of food of animal origin exported to the EU.
- Authorities from competent authorities involved in the designing, planning and implementing of official controls concerning residues and contaminants in live animals and animal products, and controlling maximum residue limits MRLs
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28/10/2024 | 01/11/2024 | Astana | Kazakhstan |
| 2 | March 2025 (TBC) | March 2025 (TBC) | Bangkok | Thailand |
| 3 | September 2025 (TBC) | September 2025 (TBC) | TBC | Central America and Caribean Countries |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme/Course on Movements of dogs and cats – EU SPS are:
- is to spread knowledge and best practices in relation to the controls on the import, trade-in and non-commercial movements of dogs and cats from non-EU Countries and within the EU.
- to train a high number of competent authorities’ staff in order to further improve the understanding and the harmonisation of the implementation of EU legislation on the above-mentioned subjects
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Have at least 5 years’ experience preferably in areas of animal health,
- Have a professional background in the central or regional competent authority for animal Health or other authority involved in the field of the training
- Be involved in the design and implementation of controls on movements of dogs and cats
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25/06/2024 | 27/05/2024 | Rome | Italy |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme/Course on Border control posts: Import controls on animal by-products and genetics are:
- To disseminate best practices for import control procedures, improving knowledge of this complex area of work and ensuring consistent and high implementation standards across the Union;
- To facilitate transition to the new scheme represented by the OCR and the comprehensive set of rules built around it;
- To go deep into the legal requirements and procedures relating to official border controls, covering theoretical content and legal requirements but including a practical approach to ensure a good understanding of the current framework;
- To facilitate the development of a harmonised approach to official controls at BCPs, offering an environment and atmosphere where delegates can share their experiences & problems encountered during their daily work;
- To put on the table common problems and experiences to find common solutions, best practice and encounter alternative and improved ways of working more effectively and efficiently;
- To provide the participants with the necessary tools and materials to disseminate the knowledge gained through the training course to colleagues in their home countries;
- To promote relationships between BCPs.
The course addresses the following topics:
- Selected aspects of EU legislation, especially where interpretation can be difficult such as rules on welfare and other environemental field (CITES, invasive alien species), world of equidae, non-commercial entry of pets, non-harmonised animals, rules on composite products, personal consignments (luggage, postal/courier parcels), monitoring plans), rules on samples, destruction of kitchen waste and other waste animal products from vessels and other means of transport
- Practical aspects of implementation procedures (best practices) for controls on imports/transits of products (documentary checks, re-entry of Union consignments, channelling, sampling of consignments, laboratory tests, re-enforced checks, non conforming consignments etc...)
- Cooperation with customs services, intelligence gathering, risk assessment procedures and information exchange with other competent authorities
- Use of IT systems (TRACES)
- Discussion groups or common problems concerning veterinary checks and on their solution, particularly with regard to infringement detextions, decisions to be taken and their enforcement
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Official control staff from relevant competent authorities operating or involved in Border Control Posts (seaport, airport and road/rail) control systems.
- Participants must be newcomer participants with a basic knowledge of border official controls or participants with a working knowledge of border official controls, all of them working in a BCP or working at local or central level with responsibilities in import controls.
- Participants should register for the type of course (Food of animal origin and composites products or Live animals) they are interested in whatever the type of Border Control Post (Airport/Seaport/Road/Rail) they work in or are experienced.
- Participants must be in a position to provide training to other colleagues and share the experience following their attendance to the training.
- Participants must be able to understand and speak English in order to participate actively in the training session.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | Course | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 26/01/2022 | 04/02/2022 | ABP | Online | Online |
| 5 | 20/04/2022 | 29/04/2022 | ABP | Online | Online |
Phase 2
| Session | Start Date | End Date | Course | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2_3 | 06/11/2023 | 10/11/2023 | ABP | Paris | France |
| 2_5 | 22/04/2024 | 26/04/2024 | ABP | Paris | France |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Course on Border control posts: Import controls on food of animal origin and composite products are:
- To disseminate best practices for import control procedures, improving knowledge of this complex area of work and ensuring consistent and high implementation standards across the Union;
- To facilitate transition to the new scheme represented by the OCR and the comprehensive set of rules built around it;
- To go deep into the legal requirements and procedures relating to official border controls, covering theoretical content and legal requirements but including a practical approach to ensure a good understanding of the current framework;
- To facilitate the development of a harmonised approach to official controls at BCPs, offering an environment and atmosphere where delegates can share their experiences & problems encountered during their daily work;
- To put on the table common problems and experiences to find common solutions, best practice and encounter alternative and improved ways of working more effectively and efficiently;
- To provide the participants with the necessary tools and materials to disseminate the knowledge gained through the training course to colleagues in their home countries;
- To promote relationships between BCPs.
The course addresses the following topics:
- Selected aspects of EU legislation, especially where interpretation can be difficult such as rules on welfare and other environemental field (CITES, invasive alien species), world of equidae, non-commercial entry of pets, non-harmonised animals, rules on composite products, personal consignments (luggage, postal/courier parcels), monitoring plans), rules on samples, destruction of kitchen waste and other waste animal products from vessels and other means of transport
- Practical aspects of implementation procedures (best practices) for controls on imports/transits of products (documentary checks, re-entry of Union consignments, channelling, sampling of consignments, laboratory tests, re-enforced checks, non conforming consignments etc...)
- Cooperation with customs services, intelligence gathering, risk assessment procedures and information exchange with other competent authorities
- Use of IT systems (TRACES)
- Discussion groups or common problems concerning veterinary checks and on their solution, particularly with regard to infringement detextions, decisions to be taken and their enforcement
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Official control staff from relevant competent authorities operating or involved in Border Control Posts (seaport, airport and road/rail) control systems.
- Participants must be newcomer participants with a basic knowledge of border official controls or participants with a working knowledge of border official controls, all of them working in a BCP or working at local or central level with responsibilities in import controls.
- Participants should register for the type of course (Food of animal origin and composites products or Live animals) they are interested in whatever the type of Border Control Post (Airport/Seaport/Road/Rail) they work in or are experienced.
- Participants must be in a position to provide training to other colleagues and share the experience following their attendance to the training.
- Participants must be able to understand and speak English in order to participate actively in the training session.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | Course | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25/10/2021 | 03/11/2021 | FOAO & CP | Online | Online |
| 6 | 16/05/2022 | 25/05/2022 | FOAO & CP | Online | Online |
| 7 | 13/06/2022 | 17/06/2022 | FOAO & CP | Algeciras | Spain |
| 8 | 19/09/2022 | 23/09/2022 | FOAO & CP | Algeciras | Spain |
| 9 | 24/10/2022 | 28/10/2022 | FOAO & CP | Antwerp | Belgium |
| 10 | 21/11/2022 | 25/11/2022 | FOAO & CP | Algeciras | Spain |
Phase 2
| Session | Start Date | End Date | Course | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2_2 | 16/10/2023 | 19/10/2023 | FOAO & CP | Algeciras | Spain |
| 2_4 | 11/12/2023 | 15/12/2023 | FOAO & CP | Antwerp | Belgium |
| 2_5 | 18/03/2024 | 22/03/2024 | FOAO & CP | Antwerp | Belgium |
| 2_7 | 14/10/2024 | 17/10/2024 | FOAO & CP | Algeciras | Spain |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Course on Border control posts: Import controls on live animals are:
- To disseminate best practices for import control procedures, improving knowledge of this complex area of work and ensuring consistent and high implementation standards across the Union;
- To facilitate transition to the new scheme represented by the OCR and the comprehensive set of rules built around it;
- To go deep into the legal requirements and procedures relating to official border controls, covering theoretical content and legal requirements but including a practical approach to ensure a good understanding of the current framework;
- To facilitate the development of a harmonised approach to official controls at BCPs, offering an environment and atmosphere where delegates can share their experiences & problems encountered during their daily work;
- To put on the table common problems and experiences to find common solutions, best practice and encounter alternative and improved ways of working more effectively and efficiently;
- To provide the participants with the necessary tools and materials to disseminate the knowledge gained through the training course to colleagues in their home countries;
- To promote relationships between BCPs.
The course addresses the following topics:
- Selected aspects of EU legislation, especially where interpretation can be difficult such as rules on welfare and other environemental field (CITES, invasive alien species), world of equidae, non-commercial entry of pets, non-harmonised animals, rules on composite products, personal consignments (luggage, postal/courier parcels), monitoring plans), rules on samples, destruction of kitchen waste and other waste animal products from vessels and other means of transport
- Practical aspects of implementation procedures (best practices) for controls on imports/transits of products (documentary checks, re-entry of Union consignments, channelling, sampling of consignments, laboratory tests, re-enforced checks, non conforming consignments etc...)
- Cooperation with customs services, intelligence gathering, risk assessment procedures and information exchange with other competent authorities
- Use of IT systems (TRACES)
- Discussion groups or common problems concerning veterinary checks and on their solution, particularly with regard to infringement detextions, decisions to be taken and their enforcement
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Official control staff from relevant competent authorities operating or involved in Border Control Posts (seaport, airport and road/rail) control systems.
- Participants must be newcomer participants with a basic knowledge of border official controls or participants with a working knowledge of border official controls, all of them working in a BCP or working at local or central level with responsibilities in import controls.
- Participants should register for the type of course (Food of animal origin and composites products or Live animals) they are interested in whatever the type of Border Control Post (Airport/Seaport/Road/Rail) they work in or are experienced.
- Participants must be in a position to provide training to other colleagues and share the experience following their attendance to the training.
- Participants must be able to understand and speak English in order to participate actively in the training session.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | Course | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 06/12/2021 | 15/12/2021 | LA | Online | Online |
| 4 | 07/03/2022 | 16/03/2022 | LA | Online | Online |
Phase 2
| Session | Start Date | End Date | Course | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2_1 | 11/09/2023 | 14/09/2023 | LA | Algeciras | Spain |
| 2_8 | 20/01/2025 | 24/01/2025 | LA | Amsterdam | The Netherlands |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme on Import Regime is to contribute towards a common understanding in the areas of food law, feed law, animal health and animal welfare rules, as well as plant health rules to safer food for consumers and to encourage the dialogue between the EU and the invited countries with the aim to improve the mutual understanding, collaboration and communication,
The course addresses the following topics:
- Session 10 - EU Controls on food of animal origin: EU legal framework on sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), animal health, entry certificates to the EU, microbiological criteria, residues of pharmacologically active substances, pesticides, and contaminants in animals and animal-origin products, residue control plans, and official controls at EU border control posts.
- Session 12 - EU Controls on Food and Feed of non-animal origin: Introduction and overview of the EU legal framework on SPS, Pesticides residues, Contaminants, Microbiology, Controls at EU entry, site visit and debriefing of the visit and conclusion
- Session 14 - European Union Import Conditions for Fishery Products: The ‘EU-listing’ process, how official controls are to be funded, how audits are being conducted and the European Union food safety system will also be further explained.
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below.
- National competent authority in charge of relevant topics
- DG SANTE, HaDEA, Contractor, NCPs, officials, others.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 22/04/2024 | 26/04/2024 | Santiago | Chile |
| 12 | 20/11/2023 | 24/11/2023 | Surabaya | Indonesia |
| 14 | 11/12/2023 | 15/12/2023 | Abidjan | Ivory Coast |
BTSF training for National Experts on Import controls - National Experts training.
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety regularly carries out audits in the EU Member States on the implementation of import controls of animals, goods, and goods subject to special import conditions.
Properly functioning border controls are a key factor to ensure that animals and food and feed (especially of animal origin) entering the European Union are safe and meet specific import requirements laid down in the Union legislation.
The general rules on official controls on animals and goods, both of animal and non-animal origin are laid down in Regulation (EU) 2017/625 and its implementing acts. Moreover, Union legislation lays down special conditions for import controls of goods for which there may be an increased risk to human health, animal health or to the environment (e.g. Regulation (EU) 2019/1793).