Imports/exports – animals and animal 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
-
CIN2013/040 – Export of bovine semen to Chile
Page published: 21 May 2013, in: Imports/exports – animals and animal products -
CIN 2013/039 – Export of pigs and pig meat to Republic Of Korea
Page published: 8 May 2013, in: Imports/exports – animals and animal products -
CIN 2013/028 – Export of caprine and ovine semen to Mali
Page published: 4 April 2013, in: Imports/exports – animals and animal products -
CIN 2013/038 – Export of Pet Food to China
Page published: 1 May 2013, in: Imports/exports – animals and animal products -
CIN 2013/037 – Export of hatching eggs of poultry (other than ratites) to Albania
Page published: 29 April 2013, in: Imports/exports – animals and animal products -
OVS note 2013/10 – transfer of National Licensing work from AHVLA Chelmsford to AHVLA Carlisle
Page published: 26 April 2013, in: Imports/exports – animals and animal products
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
- Annual Review of Controls on Imports of Animal Products: April 2010 – March 2011 (PDF 260 KB). Welsh language version (PDF 270 KB)
- Export Health Certificates (PDF 1MB)
- Information including application for Compartmentalisation for poultry breeding companies and on the Poultry Health Scheme.