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
Border control posts: Animal by-products and genetics

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
Border control posts:  Food of animal origin and composite products

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
Border control posts: Live animals

The adoption of harmonised rules on travelling with pets has made it easier for EU citizens and their dogs, cats or ferrets to enjoy the freedom of movement within the Union. This significant step was made possible by dramatic advances made in the fight against rabies.

For movement between EU countries or from non-EU countries vaccination against rabies documented in the pet passport or the animal health certificate is the sole requirement for dogs, cats and ferrets to travel across EU borders, with certain exceptions.

The topics of the BTSF Training Programme/Course on Movement of dogs and cats are:

  • The role of the EU-approved rabies serology laboratories;
  • EU legislation and controls on trade-in and pet movements within the EU;
  • EU legislation on import and on non-commercial movements of dogs and cats from Third Countries;
  • The controls at Border Inspection Posts and at Traveller Points of Entry;
  • Best practices in communication and cooperation between competent authorities and other stakeholders;
  • Best practices in detecting the illegal movements.

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.

  • Be officers from competent authorities designated to have competencies in the design and implementation of the controls on Movements of dogs (import, trade-in or non-commercial movements).
  • Therefore, Veterinarians working at Border Inspection Posts, at central level and local level are eligible. In addition, customs’ staff responsible for the controls at the Traveller Points of Entry are invited
Session Start Date End Date City Country
14 11/10/2022 14/10/2022 MALAGA SPAIN
15 15/11/2022 18/11/2022 AMSTERDAM NETHERLANDS
16 13/12/2022 16/12/2022 MALAGA SPAIN
Movement of dogs and cats

BTSF Training Programme on Border Inspection Posts - Animal by-products

The specific objective is to disseminate the best practices for border control procedures, improving knowledge of this complex area of work and ensuring consistent and high implementation standards across the European Union.

Border inspection posts - Animal by-products

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 (TBC)
  • 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 Regional Workshop on Import Regime

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).

Import controls - National Experts training