Transporting an animal internationally – What is TRACES?
The TRACES program is the comprehensive veterinary system for the surveillance, control, and traceability of the international trade of animals, animal products, and other related items. This program is managed by the European Commission and is intended to ensure that all animal products entering the European Union adhere to their strict animal health safety standards.
The program’s requirements vary depending on the type of animal product being transported, as well as the origin and destination of the animal product. The program requires all parties involved in the transportation of animals – including owners, transporters, customs authorities, rescue organization and others – to be registered in the system and to follow certain requirements. For example, transporters must be approved by specific national or EU authorities and must be in possession of a valid permit or certificate. Additionally, vehicles used for the transport of animals must meet certain standards of cleanliness, ventilation, and temperature. Animals must be identified before transport, and reliable records of the conditions of the animals during transport must be kept in the TRACES system. Finally, the program requires that animals receive proper food and water during transport, and that they are given appropriate rest periods. In this way, the TRACES program contributes to the improved animal welfare and traceability of transported animals throughout the EU.
The TRACES program has been implemented in many countries throughout the world and is the European Union’s primary tool for the enforcement of its animal health and food safety regulations. As such, it is a crucial component of the international animal transport system, and its requirements must be strictly followed in order to ensure the safety and welfare of animals. Keep reading for the list of countries that are implemented into the TRACES program.
TRACES operates in all 28 EU Member States and ensures standardized information about animal movements and associated trade for agricultural products. It also enables officials to trace the origin and movements of animal products and share relevant health information. The program’s goal is to strengthen and protect public and animal health, and promote the integration of international and intra-EU trade.
At present, the TRACES program is in use in all European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. * COUNTRIES THAT ARE NOT LISTED WILL REQUIRE A BLOOD RABIES TITRE TEST TO BE PEFORED BEFORE LEAVING THE COUNTRY. > see more info on rabies titre tests >*insert link to article for rabies titre*
The TRACES program has been instrumental in providing greater transparency and traceability within the European Union in terms of food safety and animal health. The program is also expected to help ensure the safe and efficient trade of agricultural products throughout the EU. Moreover, the harmonized and standardised approach adopted by the program ensures that the data of each country is collected, stored and processed in the same way, which in turn facilitates easier access to relevant health information.
TRACES website
https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/traces_en
Contact the TRACES Helpdesk to obtain more information on the use of TRACES at +32 2 297 63 50 or via email: [email protected]
Discover the TRACES Documentation website; your gateway to all user manuals and guides on all the modules that are available in TRACES
Register on CIRCABC and join the TRACES Toolkit group to gain access to additional material and information in relation to TRACES (documentation/ presentations / web services etc.)
