Council Directive 97/78/EC laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries.

This Directive establishes general principles in matter of veterinary checks to be performed on products of animal origin (including by-products of animal origin) and plant products entering the Community from third countries. The products covered by the present provisions are those products of animal origin referred to in Directives 89/662/EEC and 90/425/EEC as well as the plant products defined under article 19 of this Directive.
Chapter I lays down rules governing the organization and effects of checks. Member States shall ensure that no consignment coming from a third country is introduced into the Community without having been subjected to the veterinary checks hereby required. Furthermore, such consignments shall be introduced via a border inspection post (art. 6). The checks shall be carried out by official veterinarians. The certificate described under article 5 shall be issued upon completion of the required check. Article 17 prescribes the seizure of those consignments which have been introduced into the Community without having been presented for the veterinary checks required. Chapter II of the Directive establishes safeguard provisions dealing with the outbreak of an animal disease, a zoonosis or any other phenomenon liable to present a serious threat to animal or public health. Chapter III establishes detailed provisions as regards inspection and checks. In addition, three Annexes are attached. Annex I contains the list of the territories referred to in article 1; Annex II specifies the approved requirements for border inspection posts; Annex III describes the physical check of the products.