Terrestrial Animal Health Code

Contents | Index Chapter 5.5. SECTION 5. Chapter 5.7.

Chapter 5.6.


Border posts and quarantine stations in the importing country


Article 5.6.1.


  1. Countries and their Veterinary Authorities should, wherever possible, take the necessary action to ensure that the border posts and quarantine stations in their territory should be provided with an adequate organisation and sufficient equipment for the application of the measures recommended in the Terrestrial Code.

  2. Each border post and quarantine station should be provided with facilities for the feeding and watering of animals.


Article 5.6.2.


When justified by the amount of international trade and by the epidemiological situation, border posts and quarantine stations should be provided with a Veterinary Service comprising personnel, equipment and premises as the case may be and, in particular, means for:

  1. making clinical examinations and obtaining specimens of material for diagnostic purposes from live animals or carcasses of animals affected or suspected of being affected by an epizootic disease, and obtaining specimens of animal products suspected of contamination;

  2. detecting and isolating animals affected by or suspected of being affected by an epizootic disease;

  3. carrying out disinfection and possibly disinfestation of vehicles used to transport animals and animal products.

In addition to this, each port and international airport should ideally be provided with equipment for the sterilisation or incineration of swill or any other material dangerous to animal health.

The presence of disease or infection in imported animals in a quarantine station does not affect the animal health status of the country or zone.


Article 5.6.3.


When required for the transit of commodities in international trade, airports should provide areas of direct transit. These should, however, comply with the conditions required by Veterinary Authorities, especially to prevent the contact between animals of different health status and the risk of introducing diseases transmitted by insects.


Article 5.6.4.


Each Veterinary Authority, when requested, should make available for the Headquarters and any interested country on request:

  1. a list of border posts, quarantine stations, approved abattoirs and storage depots in its territory which are approved for international trade;

  2. the period of time required for notice to be given for the application of the arrangements contained in point 2 of Articles 5.7.1. to 5.7.4.;

  3. a list of airports in its territory which are provided with an area of direct transit, approved by the relevant Veterinary Authority and placed under its immediate control, where animals stay for a short time pending further transport to their final destination.

2016 ©OIE - Terrestrial Animal Health Code

Contents | Index Chapter 5.5. Chapter 5.7.