Exporting Live Animals & Animal Products

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020), you will need to adapt your business to comply with new systems, processes and controls, but the government will take steps to smooth the transition.

Exporting direct to the EU

Currently, exporting live animals and some very specific animal products (such as germplasm) to the EU requires exporters to provide either an Export Health Certificate (EHC) or, more generally, an EU-specific version of an EHC known as an Intra Trade Animal Health Certificate (ITAHC). For all other animal products, no certification is required and no specific processes must be followed.

To obtain EHCs and ITAHCs, exporters contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), or the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, providing details of the consignment, its destination and travel arrangements, as well as their preferred Official Veterinarian or authorised signatory to certify their products. APHA or DAERA issues a paper EHC for the exporter to provide to the country of import.

There are additional requirements when transporting live vertebrate animals for commercial or economic activity.

For all journeys, the transporter must hold a valid Transporter Authorisation and drivers and attendants must hold a Certificate of Competence.

For journeys over 8 hours within the EU, vehicles must also have a valid vehicle approval certificate.

Transporter Authorisations, Certificates of Competence and Vehicle Approval Certificates must be issued by an EU country. For journeys over 8 hours where farm livestock and unregistered horses will be transported, the transporter must also hold a Journey Log.

How processes will change if you export direct to the EU

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, you will need EHCs for exports of all animal products and live animals from the UK to the EU. Consignments will need to travel through a Border Inspection Post (BIP) within the EU and EHCs will need to be signed by an Official Veterinarian or authorised signatory following inspection of the consignment.

To prepare for the potential increase in EHC numbers, work is underway to make the application process simpler, and ensure there is enough capacity among appropriately trained veterinarians or authorised signatories to approve the additional certificates. Stakeholders will be informed of any changes to the existing process.

When the UK ceases to be an EU member state, it will no longer be entitled to use the EC abbreviation within the UK health or identification marks on products of animal origin (POAO).

Changing the form of these marks is essential for day one readiness to enable UK businesses to continue exporting POAO to countries outside the UK.

The current dimensions and oval form of the new UK health and identification marks will remain the same – the only change will be that the EC abbreviation will be removed, leaving the UK abbreviation followed by the establishment approval number. See examples of the new health and identification marks below.

There are no plans to change the unique number provided to UK approved establishments. This will remain the same.

The new form of the UK health and identification marks will be fixed in the Specific Food Hygiene (EU Exit) Regulations 2018, and will need to be applied to all products of animal origin intended for export after 11pm on the 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020).

In a ‘no deal’ scenario, the EU will require the UK to be a listed third country. The UK would apply for this status but cannot be certain of the EU response or its timing. Without listed status, no exports to the EU could take place.

We are confident however, that the UK meets the animal health requirements to secure listing, as other countries such as Australia and New Zealand have done.

In a ‘no deal’ scenario, the EU will also no longer recognise transport authorisations, certificates of competence, or vehicle approval certificates issued by the UK. These would remain valid for transport within the UK only.

Therefore, UK transporters wishing to transport live animals in the EU will need to appoint a representative within an EU country and apply to their relevant government department to obtain a valid Transporter Authorisation, Certificate of Competence, Vehicle Approval Certificate and, where necessary, a Journey Log.

Journey logs will need to be obtained from the EU country that is the initial point of entry into the EU for export and, as an exporter, you will need to present your transport documentation at a Border Inspection Post in the EU. Regular guidance, training materials and updates will be issued to industry to support exporters in preparing to leave the EU.

Exporting outside the EU

To export animal products and live animals to countries outside the EU, exporters must apply for, and be issued with, an Export Health Certificate (EHC). This certificate is an official document, signed by a veterinarian or authorised signatory, and is specific to the commodity being exported and the destination country. The EHC proves the consignment complies with the quality and health standards of the destination country.

To obtain EHCs, exporters contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), or the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, providing details of the consignment, its destination and travel arrangements, as well as their preferred Official Veterinarian or authorised signatory to certify their products. APHA or DAFRA issues a paper EHC for the exporter to provide to the country of import.

There are additional requirements when transporting live vertebrate animals for commercial or economic activity. For all journeys, the transporter must hold a valid Transporter Authorisation and drivers and attendants must hold a Certificate of Competence.

For journeys over 8 hours within the EU, vehicles must also have a valid vehicle approval certificate. Transporter Authorisations, Certificates of Competence and Vehicle Approval Certificates must be issued by an EU country.

For journeys over 8 hours where farm livestock and unregistered horses will be transported, the transporter must also hold a Journey Log.

How the process will change if you are exporting outside the EU

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, requirements for trade to third countries outside the EU should not change. However, changes will be required to the wording of the documentation, which would need to be agreed with the destination country, to reflect the fact the UK is no longer a member of the EU.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will work to agree updates for all existing EHCs, prioritising the countries to which the UK exports the highest volumes. If you are exporting to a non-EU third country you will need to check, before export, the latest version of the EHC for that particular destination.

When the UK ceases to be an EU member state, it will no longer be entitled to use the EC abbreviation within the UK health or identification marks on POAO.

Changing the form of these marks is essential for day one readiness to enable UK businesses to continue exporting POAO to countries outside the UK.

The current dimensions and oval form of the new UK health and identification marks will remain the same – the only change will be that the EC abbreviation will be removed, leaving the UK abbreviation followed by the establishment approval number. See examples of the new health and identification marks below.

There are no plans to change the unique number provided to UK approved establishments. This will remain the same.

The new form of the UK health and identification marks will be fixed in the Specific Food Hygiene (EU Exit) Regulations 2018, and will need to be applied to all products of animal origin intended for export after 11pm on the 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020).

New UK health mark on products of animal origin for export

This is an example of the new UK health mark to be used:

• if you export direct to the EU
• if you are exporting outside the EU

New UK identification mark on products of animal origin for export

This is an example of the new UK identification mark to be used:

• if you export direct to the EU
• if you are exporting outside the EU

Actions you can take now

1. Read the government’s existing guidance for exporting outside of the EU to familiarise yourself with the key processes. On GOV.UK, search for ‘Export goods’ and then select ‘Exporting goods outside the EU’.
2. Consider how you will submit customs declarations for EU trade, if required, including whether to engage a customs broker, freight forwarder or logistics provider or whether to get the right software and authorisations to do it yourself.
3. Consider how you will meet other requirements for imports (for example, of agrifood), such as obtaining the necessary certification to prove that goods meet EU standards. This may include the requirement to register on an IT system or to have checks carried out in advance of export. You can find out more information in the government’s EU Exit Technical Notices or by contacting the relevant agency or department.
4. When exporting POAO make sure the entry route into the EU is via a BIP.
5. The passport rules for travel to most countries in Europe will change if the UK leaves the EU on 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020) without a deal. Read the government’s guidance on Travelling to the EU with a UK passport if there’s no Brexit deal and, if relevant, ensure your employees and customers are aware of the potential changes.
6. Stay up-to-date with these changes by registering for email alerts. Follow the link, add your email address, select ‘submit’, select ‘Add subscription’ and choose ‘EU Exit’ then select ‘Submit’.