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Imports/exports – animals and animal products

Inspection of air-freight products

Import and exports of animals and animal products represent an important and significant contribution to the UK economy – but they can also bring with them the risk of animal diseases. Imports are therefore subject to strict controls at the UK border under EU and national rules.

International trade is often subject to complex government negotiations. Defra, as the recognised UK lead department for international trade, facilitates UK exports of animals and animal products.

Latest Customer Information Notes and OVS notes

Key facts and figures

  • During the last quarter, nearly 1,000 disease outbreaks worldwide have been reported on and assessed for risk and possible impact on UK animal and public health and trade status.
  • Recent outbreaks include foot and mouth disease in East Asia and HPAI H5N1 in Eastern Europe. All have been reported on both publicly and to our delivery agents when raised awareness is required.
  • The number of seizures of illegal imports of Products of Animal Origin (POAO) in 2010/11 totalled 16828 consignments, approximately a 21% decrease compared with 2009/10, largely through UK Border Agency (UKBA).  Following the spending review, there has been a need for UKBA to restructure and refocus their efforts across border activities. This may have had an impact on seizure levels during the year with a fall in the number of seizures made but there may be other contributory factors including improved passenger compliance with the rules.
  • Industry data for 2008 places the value of livestock and product exports at £1.52 billion – this includes exports to Europe & beyond. More generally, there is an overall expanding market trend across most products, e.g. meat exports have increased by £14.5 million, breeding pig exports increased by £3 million, and bovine semen exports increased by half.

The case for government action

Apart from animal diseases, risks can also be to public health (diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza type H5N1 can infect humans and is of serious public concern) or economic (the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 2001 is estimated to have cost in excess of £3 billion directly to the agricultural and food sectors).

Key publications and documents

Page last modified: 3 January 2012