Regarding the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Bombus Ignitus from Slovakia to China

According to the regulations of the Chinese Customs (hereinafter referred to as the Chinese Customs) and the Slovak Veterinary and Food Administration on the quarantine and health requirements for the export of Slovak bumblebees to China, from now on, the import of Slovak bumblebees that meet the relevant requirements is allowed:

 

I. Inspection and quarantine basis

(I) "Chinese Customs Law";

(II) "Chinese Biosafety Law";

(III) "Chinese Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine Law" and its implementing regulations;

(IV) "Protocol on Quarantine Requirements for Bumblebees Exported from Slovakia to China between the Chinese Customs and the Slovak Veterinary and Food Administration".

 

II. Names of commodities allowed for import

Bumblebees, limited to Bombus ignitus.

 

III. Quarantine certificate requirements

The Slovak Veterinary and Food Administration is responsible for the inspection and quarantine of bumblebees exported to China and issues quarantine certificates in accordance with the certificate samples confirmed by both parties.

(I) The quarantine certificate must contain the following information:

1. Name and address of the exporter and importer.

2. Number and species of bumblebees.

3. The number, seal or identification number of the bumblebee packaging or loading container.

4. The name, address and official approval number of the breeding and transit packaging site for bumblebees exported to China.

(ii) The quarantine certificate must be printed in Slovak, Chinese and English. Handwritten (except for the signature of the official veterinary officer) or altered certificates are invalid; the original quarantine certificate shall be shipped to China together with the bumblebees, and the relevant laboratory test report shall be attached.

 

IV. Quarantine approval requirements

The Slovak Veterinary and Food Administration shall implement quarantine on bumblebees exported to China based on the "People's Republic of China Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit" issued by the Chinese Customs.

 

V. Requirements for production enterprises

Bumblebees exported to China come from the following breeding or transit packaging sites:

(i) Approved by the Slovak Veterinary and Food Administration, and on-site assessment and registration by the Chinese Customs.

(ii) No official reports of Aethina tumida within a radius of 100 kilometers around the site within 2 years before the export.

(iii) The site is completely closed and completely isolated from the outside environment.

 

VI. Overseas quarantine requirements for bumblebees

(I) The pollen fed is effectively treated to kill all bee pathogens listed by WOAH. Other pathogens such as Apicystis bombi, Crithidia bombi, Nosema bombi, and Locustacarus buchneri must also be ensured to be completely killed. Pollen does not contain active genetically modified ingredients.

(II) When exporting a bumblebee queen, the number of accompanying worker bees shall not exceed 20; when exporting a whole group of bumblebees, the number of bumblebees in each package shall not exceed 200.

(III) Before export, the bumblebees are quarantined in the breeding site, and samples are taken for species identification and disease testing. The species identification result must be Bombus rufipogon, and the disease test result must be negative. All test items, methods and test results should be listed in the health certificate.

1. Species identification of Bombus ignitus: morphological or molecular biological methods

2. Apicystis bombi: morphological or molecular biological methods

3. Crithidia bombi: microscopic examination or molecular biological detection

4. Nosema bombi: microscopic examination or molecular biological detection

5. Locustacarus buchneri: microscopic examination or molecular biological detection

6. Melittobia acast: observe the bee colony and packaging and conduct microscopic examination

7. Aethina tumida: observe the bee colony and packaging and conduct microscopic examination

(IV) The bumblebee colony in the breeding farm is free of mites.

 

VII. Packaging and transportation requirements

Within 24 hours before departure, the Slovak Veterinary and Food Administration shall conduct a clinical examination on the exported bumblebees, and the bumblebees shall be in good health and have no clinical symptoms of the diseases listed in Article 6 of this announcement. The exported bumblebees shall use brand new packaging materials, and effective measures shall be taken during storage and transportation to effectively prevent the escape and cross-contamination of bumblebees.

 

VIII. Entry inspection and quarantine requirements

(I) Certificate verification.

1. Verify whether the "Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit" has been processed;

2. Verify whether a valid quarantine certificate is attached.

(II) Entry quarantine.

In accordance with relevant laws, administrative regulations, rules, etc., and in combination with the requirements of this announcement, China Customs will implement entry quarantine for bumblebees imported from Slovakia to China. If they pass the quarantine, they will be allowed to enter the country.

(III) Handling of unqualified situations.

If there is no valid quarantine certificate, China Customs will return or destroy the bumblebees. If other unqualified situations are found during the certificate verification and entry quarantine work, they will be handled in accordance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations.

 

GACC

Nov. 15, 2024