Products of animal origin imported from other member states and from third countries must comply with certain standards of production as provided for under EU legislation in order to protect animal and public health. Before any such trading is permitted consideration is given by the European Commission to a number of factors which are the health status of the livestock, both domestic and wild, especially in regard to exotic diseases; the swiftness of the country to report the existence of infectious diseases; the country's preventative controls for animal diseases; the structure of the veterinary service and laboratory service; the country's control measures on prohibited substances; the premises of production meet EU requirements; and the product is certified in compliance with the relevant veterinary legislation.