Sanitary Measures to Protect Public and Animal Health in Trade of Live Animals and Animal Products

Introduction

International trade in live animals and animalderived products contributes significantly to economies worldwide, yet it also creates pathways for the spread of zoonotic diseases, antimicrobialresistant organisms, and exotic parasites. Robust sanitary measures are essential to safeguard human health, animal welfare, and biodiversity while ensuring that trade remains safe, efficient, and compliant with international standards.

Key Risk Factors in the Trade Chain

• Speciesspecific susceptibility Certain species act as reservoirs for pathogens that can infect humans (e.g., bats, primates, swine).
• Production system gaps Poor biosecurity at farms, markets, or abattoirs increases contamination risk.
• Transport conditions Overcrowding, inadequate ventilation, and temperature extremes stress animals and promote disease transmission.
• Product processing Insufficient heat treatment, pasteurisation, or cooking leaves viable agents in meat, milk, or eggs.
• Regulatory inconsistencies Divergent standards among trading partners can create loopholes.

International Regulatory Framework

Effective sanitary measures rely on harmonised standards and mutual recognition. The main instruments include:

National authorities adopt these standards into legislation, often adding specific measures to address local disease priorities.

PreExport Controls

Health Certification

Exporting countries must issue a health certificate issued by a qualified veterinary authority confirming that the animal or product complies with the importing country's requirements. The certificate should include:

• Species, identification (ear tag, microchip)
• Origin farm or establishment
• Results of required tests (serology, PCR, bacteriology)
• Date of last veterinary inspection
• Statement of diseasefree status where applicable

PreExport Testing

Mandatory testing varies by commodity. Common requirements include:

• Brucellosis, tuberculosis, and African swine fever for swine
• Avian influenza and Newcastle disease for poultry
• Salmonella and Campylobacter for meat and eggs
• Residue testing for antibiotics, hormones, and pesticides

Vaccination and Treatment Records

Accurate records of all vaccinations and therapeutic treatments must be kept and presented on demand. This information aids risk assessors in the destination country.

Import Controls

Quarantine

Live animals often undergo a mandatory quarantine period during which they are observed for clinical signs and may be retested. Quarantine facilities must meet biosecurity standards equivalent to those of highrisk animalholding units.

Border Inspection Posts (BIPs)

Designated BIPs conduct physical inspection, document verification, and sampling. Key activities include:

• Verification of health certificates and permits
• Visual health assessment (lameness, lesions, discharges)
• Random sampling for laboratory analysis
• Temperature and humidity checks for perishable products

Rejection and Disposition

If a consignment fails to meet the required standards, it may be rejected, returned, or destroyed under supervision. Clear procedures for disposal prevent further environmental contamination.

Transport and Handling Practices

Live Animal Transport

Guidelines from the WOAH and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) stipulate:

• Adequate space per animal to prevent crushing
• Ventilation rates that maintain oxygen levels above 19% and CO below 2,000ppm
• Provision of clean water and, where necessary, feed
• Temperature control within speciesspecific comfort zones
• Separation of species that could transmit pathogens to each other

Cold Chain Management for Animal Products

Maintaining the cold chain (4C for most meat and dairy, -18C for frozen goods) reduces bacterial growth. Critical control points include:

1. Precooling at the processing plant
2. Validated refrigerated containers with temperature loggers
3. Rapid transfer to refrigerated storage upon arrival

Sanitisation of Equipment and Vehicles

All containers, crates, and transport vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected using approved agents (e.g., quaternary ammonium compounds, peracetic acid). Records of sanitisation cycles should accompany the shipment.

Surveillance, Traceability and Emergency Response

Traceability Systems

Electronic traceability platforms link each animal or batch of product to its origin, movement history, and health status. Barcoding or RFID tags enable rapid retrieval of information during an outbreak.

PostEntry Surveillance

Importing countries conduct targeted surveillance based on risk ranking. Sampling may be intensified during:

• Emergence of a new pathogen in the source region
• Detection of a breach in preexport testing
• Seasonal peaks of certain diseases (e.g., Rift Valley fever)

Emergency Measures

When a disease is identified, the following steps are triggered:

1. Immediate isolation of affected animals or products
2. Notification of the WOAH and relevant regional bodies
3. Implementation of containment zones and movement controls
4. Vaccination or culling, guided by risk assessments
5. Public communication to reduce panic and misinformation

Capacity Building and Partnerships

Developing nations often lack the infrastructure required for rigorous sanitary control. International collaboration can close these gaps through:

• Technical training for veterinarians and border officials
• Laboratory strengthening programmes (PCR, ELISA, pathogen sequencing)
• Funding for modern quarantine facilities and coldchain equipment
• Joint research on emerging zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance

Publicprivate partnerships further enhance resilience by aligning industry incentives with health objectives.

Conclusion

Sanitary measures that integrate preexport testing, robust import controls, safe transport, and comprehensive surveillance are essential to protect both public and animal health while facilitating legitimate trade. Alignment with internationally recognised standards such as those of the WOAH, Codex, and the WTO SPS Agreement ensures that measures are sciencebased, transparent, and nondiscriminatory. Continuous investment in capacity building, traceability technologies, and emergency response frameworks will sustain safe trade in an increasingly interconnected world.