Council Directive 2002/99/EC lays down the animal health requirements for fresh meat. This new Directive forms the legal basis for all animal health rules governing the production, processing, distribution and introduction of products of animal origin for human consumption and continues to provide harmonised rules and animal health guarantees for fresh meat.

Under the terms of the Treaty establishing the European Community, there is a clear difference between the definitions for trade and importation.

In relation to poultry meat,

• Intracommunity trade or "trade" refers solely to the movement between EU Member States. More information on the conditions for trade can be found in the Council Directive.
• Importation or "imports" refers solely to the introduction into the Member States from third Countries outside the European Union. More information on the EU import conditions for fresh meat and meat products can be found in the relevant brochure which can also be accessed via the webpages of the Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection.