What do IHCs need to fulfill to be accepted for international trade?

Meeting the disease requirements of the importing country is crucial for International Health Certificates (IHCs) to be accepted for international trade. Each country has specific health standards and regulations regarding the importation of animals or animal products, which are established to prevent the spread of diseases. An IHC must therefore indicate that the exported animals or products are free from certain diseases that the importing country deems important for its public health and agricultural safety.

Compliance with these specific disease requirements ensures that public health is protected and that the integrity of the local agricultural systems is maintained. This step is essential for ensuring the health status of the imported items in relation to the potential risks posed by infectious diseases.

While obtaining USDA certification or local authority approval and conducting health evaluations may be important steps within the broader context of veterinary health and compliance, they do not directly address the necessity of aligning with the disease requirements specifically set by the importing country, which is the primary focus of an IHC in trade situations. Thus, the most direct and significant criterion is fulfilling the disease requirements mandated by the country receiving the import.