Consider before you ship
With big, sad eyes, the kitten Ely looks at us. Ely is a folding-ear cat – a cat bred such that her ears bend over. In Flanders and the Brussels region, the breeding and trading of this breed is prohibited because these cats with admittedly cute ears have inferior cartilage and often suffer from joint pain – a pain comparable to arthritis.
When our inspectors see a cat with folding ears, they are extra vigilant. Ely also appears not to have been properly vaccinated against rabies, known colloquially as canine madness. "We keep a strict watch on that," veterinarian Stefan explains to us, "if Belgium were no longer rabies-free, it would have major consequences for the health of our animals and even humans, because we too can become infected with this deadly disease. Our horses would no longer be able to compete in international competitions, pigs would no longer be allowed to be exported, etc. The potential health and economic consequences are enormous."
Stefan is one of nearly 600 veterinarians working independently with the food agency. Three days a week, he travels to Zaventem to inspect imports of live animals, animal products and food of animal origin entering Belgium via aeroplanes. "My job is to make sure everything is entered correctly according to the regulations. Only then can we be sure that no new diseases enter Belgium, and that the imported food meets quality standards so that no one gets ill from it." The job also requires a great deal of creativity. "We always try to find a solution that is good for the animal itself." Colleague Laura calls around to find a solution for kitten Ely.
However, there is also some creativity among rogue people who secretly try to smuggle in prohibited animals. Consider, for example, CITES animals. These are animals whose survival is threatened and therefore should not be traded, including peregrine falcons, seahorses, certain parrot species, among others, etc. "For example, a while ago a crate arrived with venomous snakes that were legally brought into Europe, but at the bottom there was a false bottom in which reptiles protected by CITES legislation were hidden. The venomous snakes were meant to scare us so that we would quickly approve the shipment. I always measure the inside of boxes to make sure there is no hidden bottom."
This is not a nine-to-five job. The veterinarians adjust their work schedule in accordance with the incoming flights. So they are also working in the evenings or at weekends. Nor is it a job for cowards. "We recently received some training in dealing with wild animals. Among other things, I learned there that it's best to check poisonous snakes with two people at all times so that someone can raise the alarm if a colleague were suddenly bitten."
FASFC inspector Pramit checks the vegetables, fruits, plants and products of plant origin entering Belgium through the airport. "There are certain categories that we always check because there is a real possibility that they carry harmful organisms. For example, we always check all aubergines, mangoes and ornamental plants entering Belgium from outside the European Union."
That distinction is important. Within the European Union, there is free movement of goods. To ensure that the European zone does not become infected with diseases, animals, plants, fruits and vegetables, etc., are always checked at their 'first point of entry'. Once they pass that scrutiny, they can move freely within the Union. That also means that those inspections are fiercely monitored and planned by Europe. The Food Agency draws up inspection plans that take into account what Europe imposes upon Belgium within the Traces system and what Belgium itself sets as an objective. These are dynamic targets so that European Member States can move quickly if an unexpected problem suddenly pops up somewhere.
A large shipment of Bissap leaves arrived from Togo today, and Pramit wants to check that no unwanted organisms are dwelling on the leaves. At his desk, he first checked that the papers and necessary certificates were in order. At the inspection centre, he verifies that what is indicated on the paperwork matches what was actually imported. He then opens one of the wicker packages and carefully examines the Bissap leaves with his magnifying glass.
Pramit suspects the leaves are infected with Bemisia, a white fly species from tropical regions that can transmit a great many plant viruses, causing significant crop damage. It is one of the most invasive species in the world and has developed resistance to all major classes of pesticides. Pramit puts a sample in a little plastic tube and will send it to the lab to have his finding verified. In anticipation, the inspected container is sealed with red tape: the colour of 'No Go'. If the lab confirms Pramit's suspicions, the importer will be given a choice: destroy the leaves, send them back to Togo or have them processed in such a manner that they can no longer cause any harm.
"Sometimes we do run into things! I once opened a package and some black legs came out. Turned out there were 500 Tarantulas in a box, just packed and shipped as though they were non-living goods." Now we turn to Ellis, who is responsible for checking e-shipments. "In such cases, we prepare an official report and forward it to the public prosecutor's office, which can impose penalties."
Ellis carries out inspections of mail packages at the courier services present at the airport almost every day, and she and her colleagues check passengers' luggage every two months. "We work closely with customs and courier services," Ellis explains. "This is how we learn about each other's work and help one another move forward. We also sit together regularly and provide information on what shipments they should keep a close eye on and what they should best submit to us for inspection."
At the courier service, the shipments are ready for inspection. Ellis carefully opens the packages and checks that they do not contain goods that are not allowed to enter Europe. It is not always clear. Food supplements or goods without any labelling are particularly challenging. "Sometimes, the shipments contain products we can't trace. We don't take any risks. If necessary, we send a sample to the laboratory to find out what it's composed of. We don't take any shortcuts when it comes to people's safety." In anticipation, the shipment is put 'on hold', with a thick red tape around it here too.
Ellis is in constant contact with her colleagues at the central office. She uses WhatsApp to forward photos of the products that are 'on hold', so that they can be entered into the system immediately. That way, any potential delays are minimised. Package after package is opened, inspected, validated, allowed through or held.
"It's not too bad today," Ellis laughs, "one time, there was Holy Cow Dung in one of the packages I opened. You can't just bring excrement into the country!"