International trade: Exports of animals, animal products and germplasm to non-EU countries - Export Certification User Group
Following an outbreak of any notifiable disease (like Foot and Mouth Disease FMD) in the UK there is a need to put resource into regaining access to non-EU markets (Third Countries) which might become unavailable to UK exporters as a result of the UK’s change in disease status. To assist in this, following the 2001 FMD outbreak , a livestock, pig meat, semen and embryos Export Certification User Group (ECUG) was formed by representatives from relevant industries, organisations, and staff from within Defra’s International Animal Health Core Team to help prioritise Defra’s resources for reopening trade markets. Through ECUG, and by working closely with British Embassies and High Commissions, many important trade markets had been re-opened. A similar ECUG for dairy products was formed during this time and enjoyed similar success.
In many instances the FMD incident in the UK (Surrey, England) in August 2007, with the last confirmed outbreak occurring on 30 September saw the need to start again with many of these negotiations. Some Third Countries imposed trade bans on certain FMD susceptible UK commodities. Information on bans that have been introduced for susceptible animals and products can be found in our Customer Information Notes (CIN).
More information on the disease itself and the recent outbreak is available on our foot and mouth disease pages.
Reopening of trade routes
Many export health certificates were suspended because they could no longer be signed due to the 2007 FMD incident. International Animal Health (IAH) Core Team in Defra are currently negotiating with Third Countries to re-open markets for FMD susceptible animals and animal products that are considered to be a priority. The Export Certification Users Group (ECUG) is a well established group and has been quick to act on once again prioritising markets.
We worked closely with industry representatives since August 2007 on a number of priority markets which were weighted to take into account the number of times particular certificates were issued during the 12 months preceding the FMD outbreak. Nearly half the export health certificates deemed as a priority have been made available for trade use and so the focus has now moved onto opening other priority markets (where there is a need for more detailed negotiations) as well as focusing on the high priority markets which require ongoing long term negotiation.
Due to the procedures involved in negotiations and the sometimes numerous amendments being made to health certificates to make them sign able, it may take some time before some export health certificates are made available for use. We will endeavour to update stakeholders and the industry via this website and our Customer Information Notes (CINs) on progress.
Tables: Priority Markets
There are now 2 priority market tables available which are updated as regularly as possible, the information being current on the date shown on the table. If you require further information you should contact your local Animal Health Divisional Office for advice.
- Livestock, Genetics & Meat ECUG priority table (PDF 57 KB)
- Skins, Hides & Wool ECUG priority table (PDF 16 KB)
Available Export Health Certificates
A list of all Export Health Certificates (PDF 141 KB) is available. While we will endeavour to keep the list up to date, exporters are advised to confirm availability and obtain a specimen of the certificate from their local Animal Health Divisional Office (AHDO) before submitting any applications.
ECUG - Specimen Export Health Certificates
Specimens of some of current livestock and genetics export health certificates are available as PDF files on this table.
Page last modified:
August 21, 2008
Page published: June 1, 2006