Imports, exports and EU trade of animals and animal products: topical issues
Current issues relating to imports and exports of animals and animal products.
This page provides details on particular issues or changes that importers and exporters may need to be aware of.
You can read a collection of all the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) guidance and forms for importing and exporting live animals or animal products.
Defra’s animal disease monitoring collection covers major, notifiable or new and emerging animal disease outbreaks internationally and in the UK.
Small hive beetle in the region of Calabria, Italy
The UK has suspended the import of bees, apiculture products and used beekeeping equipment into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) from the region of Calabria in Italy. This is due to an ongoing outbreak of small hive beetle. These measures are necessary to protect bee health in the UK.
The following safeguard measures give effect to this decision. These are published on behalf of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (England), the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd (Wales), and the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands (Scotland).
Read the:
These special measures apply from 17 January 2023 and will continue to apply until they are revoked or amended.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) import restrictions: Japan
From 28 October 2022, the import of fresh poultry meat is suspended from Japan into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Additionally, the heat treatment category for poultry meat products has changed from ‘A’ (no specific treatment) to ‘D’ (minimum temperature of 70̊ C).
On 28 October 2022, 2 outbreaks of HPAI were confirmed in commercial poultry establishments in Japan. Restrictions will remain in place until Japan is recognised by the UK as disease free for HPAI.
Read ‘Poultry and poultry products’ and ‘Meat Products’ on the Non-EU countries approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain page for more information about affected commodities.
Sheep and goat pox in Spain
Since 30 September we have temporarily restricted live sheep and goats from Spain entering Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), along with the following sheep and goat products:
- germplasm
- untreated wool
- fresh or chilled skins and hides
On 19 September 2022, an outbreak of sheep and goat pox was confirmed in Spain. The extent of the disease outbreak is yet to be determined. This suspension will remain in place until all necessary biosecurity checks have taken place and the current sheep and goat pox outbreak is under control.
The following safeguard measures give effect to this decision for fresh or chilled skins and hides. These are published on behalf of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (England), Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd (Wales), and the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands (Scotland).
Read the:
These special measures apply from 30 November 2022 and will continue to apply until they are revoked or amended.
Find out the countries approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain.
Foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Botswana
Great Britain has temporarily suspended exports of fresh meat and by-products of ungulates from the whole of Botswana if they were processed after 28 July 2022.
On 27 August 2022, an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) was confirmed in a previously FMD free region of Botswana.
The extent of the disease outbreak is yet to be determined. This suspension will remain in place until all necessary biosecurity checks have taken place and the current FMD outbreak is under control.
Find out the countries approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain.
Commercial import of dogs, cats and ferrets to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) from Belarus, Poland, Romania or Ukraine
If you commercially import dogs, cats and ferrets into Great Britain that originate from or have been dispatched from Belarus, Poland, Romania or Ukraine, you must have Approved Importer status.
Commercial imports are the sale of or the transfer of ownership of a pet animal. This includes rescue animals and if you are travelling with more than 5 dogs, cats or ferrets if these animals are not attending training for a competition, show or sporting event.
This special measure does not apply to non-commercial pet animals from these countries.
Find out how to apply for Approved Importer status.
This special measure replaces the temporary suspension of commercial imports of dogs, cats and ferrets from Belarus, Poland, Romania or Ukraine. It will apply until it is revoked or amended.
These countries present a high risk of rabies transmission.
Read the:
Rodents imported from Lithuania
An ongoing outbreak of Salmonella enteritidis among the UK public has been linked to mice imported from Lithuania for use as animal feed, particularly for reptiles. The risk posed to public health has led to a decision to prohibit imports of feeder rodents (mice and rats for use as animal feed) from Lithuania into the UK, coming into force from 17 February 2022.
The following safeguard measures give effect to this decision. These are published on behalf of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (England), the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd (Wales), the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland) and Food Standards Scotland:
The special measures shall continue to apply until revoked or amended. The measures will be reviewed over the coming months to take into account any actions taken by the Lithuanian authorities to control the risk from imports of feeder rodents in the long term.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) import restrictions: Argentina
Imports of poultry, ratite and wild game bird meat into Great Britain from Argentina that were slaughtered on or after 28 February 2023 are suspended.
Meat products of poultry and farmed feathered game must be heat treated to 70°C throughout the meat (heat treatment ‘D’). The requirement for heat treatment ‘D’ already applies to wild game birds.
This is because of a confirmed HPAI outbreak on 28 February 2023 at a commercial poultry farm in Argentina. These restrictions will remain in place until the UK recognises Argentina as disease free for HPAI.
Read ‘Poultry and poultry products’ and ‘Meat Products’ on the Non-EU countries approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain page for more information about affected commodities.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) import restrictions: Japan
From 28 October 2022, the import of fresh poultry meat is suspended from Japan into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Additionally, the heat treatment category for poultry meat products has changed from ‘A’ (no specific treatment) to ‘D’ (minimum temperature of 70̊ C).
On 28 October 2022, 2 outbreaks of HPAI were confirmed in commercial poultry establishments in Japan. Restrictions will remain in place until Japan is recognised by the UK as disease free for HPAI.
Read ‘Poultry and poultry products’ and ‘Meat Products’ on the Non-EU countries approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain page for more information about affected commodities.
Avian influenza (bird flu) outside the UK
This section was updated on 92 MayMarch 2022.2023.
Our Our research reports provide provide preliminary and updated outbreak assessments for avian influenza (bird flu) in Europe, Russia and in the UK.
You cannot import poultry and poultry products into the UK from disease restricted zones around confirmed cases of avian flu in EUother countries.
You must notcontinue importto comply with specific requirements in Commission Regulation (EC) 798/2008 when importing poultry and poultry products.
Changes to the minimum surveillance period for imports of poultry and poultry products from non-EUbird flu affected countries
The withsurveillance anperiod outbreakfor imports of live animals and fresh poultry meat from highly pathogenic avian influenza unlesscontrol theyzones complyhas reduced from 90 days to 30 days. This follows an assessment of risk by Defra, Scottish Government and Welsh Government. Import requirements for Great Britain are now in line with specificthe Terrestrial Animal Health code set by the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH).
This is only available for countries approved to export to Great Britain and can demonstrate:
- adequate cleansing and disinfection has been carried out
- the required surveillance activity has been completed
- the zone has been lifted (minimum of 30 days after effective cleansing and disinfection)
The requirements are set out in Commissionthe Regulationmodel health (EC)certificates 798/2008for:
Defra will publish the revised certificates for poultry products which include the 30 day requirement in March 2023.
Highly Pathogenicpathogenic Avianavian Influenzainfluenza (HPAI) in Canada and the United States of America
Defra has received notification of multiple outbreaks of Highlyhighly Pathogenicpathogenic Avianavian Influenzainfluenza (HPAI) by authorities in Canada and the United States.
The import of certain animals and products originating in, or dispatched from, the affected regions in both countries pose an unacceptable level of risk to animal health in Great Britain.
Imports to Great Britain of relevant poultry and poultry products (including hatching eggs and day old chicks) from affected regions of Canada and the United States are no longer authorised.
Read ‘Poultry and poultry products [EUR 2008/ 798]’ on the Non-EU countries approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain page for more information about the affected commodities and regions.
This document supersedes the safeguard declarations published by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (England), Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd (Wales), and the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands (Scotland) which have now been revoked:
Restrictions to trade first came into force on 25 March 2022 and will remain in place until the necessary conditions have been met to resume trade from the affected regions.
Lifting of Highlyhighly Pathogenicpathogenic Avianavian Influenzainfluenza (HPAI) import restrictions: Ukraine
Since December 2020, imports of poultry products from Ukraine to Great Britain have been suspended due to outbreaks of Highlyhighly Pathogenicpathogenic Avianavian Influenzainfluenza (HPAI).
The Ukrainian authorities have supplied information to Defra about the epidemiological situation and the measures taken to control the outbreaks.
An assessment of risk led by Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (in consultation with the Food Standards Agency) concluded that allowing imports of poultry products from Ukraine to resume poses an acceptable level of risk to public and animal health in Great Britain. This is provided the consignments originate from outside the areas affected by HPAI.
Based on that assessment, Defra, Scottish and Welsh governments have agreed to allow trade to resume.
A Statutory Instrument (The Approved Country Lists (Animals and Animal Products) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021) came into force on 17 December 2021 to implement this decision.
Lifting of Highlyhighly Pathogenicpathogenic Avianavian Influenzainfluenza (HPAI) import restrictions: Australia
Since July 2020, imports of poultry and poultry products from Australia to Great Britain have been suspended due to outbreaks of Highlyhighly Pathogenicpathogenic Avianavian Influenzainfluenza (HPAI).
The Australian authorities have supplied information to Defra about the epidemiological situation and the measures taken to control the outbreaks.
An assessment of risk led by Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (in consultation with the Food Standards Agency) concluded that allowing imports of poultry and poultry products from Australia to resume poses an acceptable level of risk to public and animal health in Great Britain.
Based on that assessment, Defra, Scottish and Welsh governments have agreed to allow trade to resume.
A Statutory Instrument (The Approved Country Lists (Animals and Animal Products) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021) came into force on 17 December 2021 to implement this decision.
Highly Pathogenicpathogenic Avianavian Influenzainfluenza (HPAI) in Botswana
On 6 September 2021, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) was notified of an outbreak of Highlyhighly Pathogenicpathogenic Avianavian Influenzainfluenza (HPAI) of subtype H5N1 by authorities in Botswana. The outbreak was confirmed on a poultry farm outside of Gaborone.
In order to prevent the introduction of HPAI into Great Britain, Botswana is no longer authorised to certify and export poultry of live breeding or productive ratites, day old chicks of ratites, hatching eggs of ratites and meat of farmed ratites to Great Britain for human consumption. Full details on the commodities affected and new restrictions are available in the declarations below.
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These safeguarding measures prohibiting imports of susceptible commodities from Botswana are published on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (England), Scottish Ministers and the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales and the Trefnydd, (one of the Welsh Ministers).
These restrictions will be put in place until all the necessary criteria of assurances to resume certification of trade to Great Britain are met.
Avian influenza (bird flu) in the UK
This section was updated on 13 April 2022.
A collection of guidance and forms for importing and exporting live animals or animal products is available.
World Animal Health Organisation (WOAH) disease freedom
The UK is no longer free from avian influenza under the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) rules. There are some restrictions on exports of affected commodities to third countries. Trade in poultry and poultry related products with third countries that do not require whole UK avian influenza country freedom may continue on the basis of the conditions included in the export health certificates, unless otherwise notified by the importing country.
Agreed export health certificates between the UK and importing countries are considered and issued on a case-by-case basis and can be certified by an Official Veterinarian only if the consignment meets the requirements set out in the export health certificates in full.
Exports to the EU
Exports from Great Britain to the EU of live poultry or poultry products are not permitted from disease control zones.
There are no restrictions on exports to the EU from outside the disease control zones.
The European Commission is currently considering amending the regionalisation of the UK in Regulation (EU) 2021/404 in relation to these new HPAI outbreaks.
To avoid disruption to trade, the European Commission has requested that EU countries consider continuing to accept certified poultry and poultry products from the UK, if they originate outside the restricted areas.
Imports from the EU
You cannot import poultry and poultry products into the UK from within avian influenza disease control zones in EU countries.
EU trade relies on strict certification for movement of live poultry, day old chicks and hatching eggs. Products such as poultry meat, table eggs and poultry products are not subject to certification within the EU.
Our avian influenza (bird flu) page covers the latest situation.
Go to bird flu cases and disease zones in England for information about cases and the measures that apply in disease zones.
Bluetongue virus in Europe
The bluetongue guide covers the latest situation and advice on measures to protect against the disease. If you are moving live animals or animal products, read guidance about importing and exporting.
If you are moving goats, cervids (deer) or other susceptible ruminants, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency’sAgency (APHA) Centre for International Trade (CIT) Carlisle) about the restrictions.
There are similar restrictions on the trade in germinal products (semen, ova and embryos) of cattle, sheep and goats. APHA’s imports of live animals and genetic material importer information notes explains these restrictions.
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) risk status forof Canadatrading and Irelandpartners
This section was updated on 8 August 2022.
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Find out the:the:
- animal health status of countries approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain
- countries approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain
African swine fever (ASF) in the European Union and EFTA states
Pork and pork products over 2kg are now prohibited from entering Great Britain unless they have been produced to EU commercial standards.
This is because certain pork products which originate from or have been dispatched from the EU pose an unacceptable risk to animal health in Great Britain.
ASF has been spreading across mainland Europe towards Great Britain, leading to the deaths of thousands of pigs and causing significant disruption to the meat trade. The disease poses a significant risk to our pig herd and our long-term ability to export pork and pork products around the globe.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has carried out a risk assessment and concluded that the ASF virus could be ‘regularly introduced’ into Great Britain from the European Union. APHA have increased the risk that the ASF virus will enter Great Britain through human activities to ‘high’ after new outbreaks across Europe.
Special measures from 1 September 2022
The following safeguard measures give effect to this decision. These are published on behalf of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (England), Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd (Wales), and the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands (Scotland).
Read the:
These special measures apply from 1 September 2022 and will continue to apply until they are revoked or amended.
Preventing the spread of ASF
Defra’s African swine fever guide covers how to spot ASF, what to do if you suspect it and measures to prevent its spread.
For more information see:
- ASF virus in Europe outbreak assessments
- the map of restriction zones in place across Europe
- Bringing food into Great Britain: Meat, dairy, fish and animal products
Chronic wasting disease
Norwegian authorities have reported cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD). To control the spread of disease, the following trade restrictions are in place:
- you cannot import reindeer and other cervid species (deer) from Norway to UK or countries in the EU
- you cannot import any of the following unprocessed products into the UK: deer urine, deer faeces, and lures obtained from deer for use in deer hunting or other deer attracting activities which contain the above animal by-products
- you cannot import deer products into the UK if they were manufactured in the USA, Canada, South Korea and Norway (where CWD is present) or produced from deer products from those countries
- you can only import products from countries free from CWD under certain conditions
Some areas of Sweden and Finland also have trade restrictions in place for live cervids (deer), because of the risk of this disease spreading through movements of free ranging animals. APHA’s Importer Information Note (ABP IIN 44) explains the ban and the procedure to follow to import processed products.
Read our qualitative risk assessment for the risk of CWD being introduced into Great Britain.
Lumpy skin disease in Europe
Outbreaks of lumpy skin disease were confirmed in bovine holdings in Greece and Bulgaria between 2015 and 2017. Although no outbreaks were reported from these countries in the past 4 years, vaccination is still taking place and restrictions remain until disease free status is restored.
To prevent the spread of disease, restrictions have been put in place on movements from the affected areas of:
- live bovine animals
- bovine genetic material (semen, ova and embryos)
- milk and dairy products from bovine animals
- unprocessed animal by-products of bovine animals
- bovine skins and hides
Defra’s lumpy skin disease guide covers how to spot lumpy skin disease, what to do if you suspect it and measures to prevent it.
Crabs to Hong Kong: residue testing
This section was updated on 27 March 2019.
The import restrictions on live brown crab exported from Anglesey, Wales introduced by the Hong Kong authorities remain in place. Brown crabs from Anglesey, should not be exported to Hong Kong until the situation is resolved.
Restrictions on trade of agricultural commodities to the Russian Federation
This section was updated on 27 March 2019.
The Russian Federation has banned the import of a number of agricultural commodities from the whole of the EU including the UK and also the USA, Canada, Australia and Norway until December 2019. The ban was imposed on 7 August 2014.
Banned products
The ban covers many agricultural products, raw materials, plants and foodstuffs including most meat, dairy and fish.
If you need to check whether a particular product is affected, please contact APHA or Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Withdrawal of Export Health Certificates for the Russian Federation
In the light of this, APHA and DAERA have withdrawn all Export Health Certificates for the animals and animal products affected, for the duration of this ban. This also applies to consignments of these commodities transiting through the Russian Federation to another destination. But there may be exceptions so you should check.
Any exporter planning to send any consignment (including live animals) to the Russian Federation should get assurances from importers in the Russian Federation that the consignment will be accepted. If consignments of live animals are blocked at the border of the Russian Federation, re-entry into the UK or any other member state is not permitted under EU law. Exceptions may be considered in specific cases.
You should also see the Department for International Trade’s guide on exporting to Russia.
Contacts
Contact APHA’s Centre for International Trade (CIT) Carlisle for advice about imports and exports to and from Great Britain.
Exporters in Northern Ireland should contact:
- Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)
- Telephone: 0300 200 7840
- email: daera.helpline@daera-ni.gov.uk
Last updated
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Imports of poultry, ratite and wild game bird meat into Great Britain from Argentina that were slaughtered on or after 28 February 2023 are suspended. Meat products of poultry and farmed feathered game must be heat treated to 70°C throughout the meat (heat treatment ‘D’). The requirement for heat treatment ‘D’ already applies to wild game birds.
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Updated the 'Avian influenza (bird flu) outside the UK' section. The surveillance period for imports of live animals and fresh poultry meat from highly pathogenic avian influenza control zones has reduced from 90 days to 30 days.
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Updated the Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) risk status of trading partners section.
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The UK has suspended the import of bees, apiculture products and used beekeeping equipment into Great Britain from the region of Calabria in Italy.
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The import of raw milk and milk products is no longer restricted from Spain. This follows a risk assessment by Defra finding that these commodities do not pose an unacceptable level of risk to Great Britain.
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Added fresh or chilled skins and hides to the list of sheep and goat products that are temporarily restricted from entering Great Britain from Spain.
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Added an amendment to the declaration of special measures for the commercial import of animals from Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Romania (Scotland). Documents that show proof of registration or approval of a premises must be issued within 6 months.
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Added an amendment to the declaration of special measures for the commercial import of animals from Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Romania (Wales). Documents that show proof of registration or approval of a premises must be issued within 6 months.
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Added an amendment to the declaration of special measures for the commercial import of animals from Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Romania from 29 October (England). Documents that show proof of registration or approval of a premises must be issued within 6 months.
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From 28 October 2022, the import of fresh poultry meat from Japan into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) is suspended.
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Approved Importer status for the commercial import of animals from Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Romania applies to Wales from 1 November 2022.
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Added how to apply for Approved Importer status from 29 October 2022 if you commercially import dogs, cats and ferrets into England that originate from or have been dispatched from Belarus, Poland, Romania or Ukraine.
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Removed ‘fresh or chilled skins and hides’ from the list of sheep and goat products from Spain that are restricted from entering Great Britain.
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Added a new section for the lifting of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) import restrictions from Japan.
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Added a new section for sheep and goat pox in Spain. From 30 September, live sheep and goats and certain sheep and goat products from Spain are temporarily restricted from entering Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).
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Added new section on foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Botswana. Great Britain has temporarily suspended exports of fresh meat and by-products of ungulates from the whole of Botswana if they were processed after 28 July 2022.
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Great Britain’s temporary suspension of the commercial import of dogs, cats and ferrets if they originate from or have been dispatched from Belarus, Poland, Romania or Ukraine, has been extended until 29 October 2022.
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Added African Swine Fever (ASF) special measures. From 1 September, pork and pork products over 2kg are prohibited from entering Great Britain unless they have been produced to EU commercial standards.
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Edited the guidance under the 'Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) status for Canada and Ireland' heading.
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The World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OiE) has updated the risk status for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) from 'controlled' to 'negligible' for Canada and Ireland.
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Added 4 new documents to revoke safeguard measures for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Canada and the United States of America.
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Great Britain’s temporary suspension of the commercial import of dogs, cats and ferrets if they originate from or have been dispatched from Belarus, Poland, Romania or Ukraine, has been extended until 3 September 2022.
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6 updated documents have been uploaded for 'Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Canada and the United States of America'; 1. 'Highly pathogenic avian influenza in the USA: declaration of special measures (England)' | 2. 'Highly pathogenic avian influenza in the USA: declaration of special measures (Scotland)' | 3. 'Highly pathogenic avian influenza in USA: declaration of special measures (Wales)' | 4. 'Highly pathogenic avian influenza in Canada: declaration of special measures (England)' | 5. 'Highly pathogenic avian influenza in Canada: declaration of special measures (Scotland)' | 6. 'Highly pathogenic avian influenza in Canada: declaration of special measures (Wales)'.
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Updated the declarations under the 'Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Canada and the United States of America' heading.
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Great Britain’s temporary suspension of the commercial import of dogs, cats and ferrets if they originate from or have been dispatched from Belarus, Poland, Romania or Ukraine, has been extended until 9 July 2022.
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Declarations of special measures for the commercial import of animals from Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Romania will be replaced with new declarations from 14 May 2022.
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Updated the declarations under the 'Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Canada and the United States of America' heading.
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Added the Declaration of special measures for the commercial import of animals from Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Romania to Wales.
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Updated the USA declarations under the 'Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Canada and the United States of America' heading to reflect new outbreaks in the United States.
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Declaration of special measures for the commercial import of animals from Ukraine, Belarus. Poland and Romania to Scotland.
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England has temporarily suspended the commercial import of dogs, cats and ferrets if they originate from or have been dispatched from Ukraine, Belarus, Poland or Romania, until 14 May 2022.
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Updated the USA declarations under the 'Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Canada and the United States of America' heading to reflect new outbreaks in the United States.
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Updated the section ‘Avian influenza (bird flu) outside the UK’. Replaced the USA avian influenza declarations for England, Wales and Scotland with new versions.
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Updated the section ‘Avian influenza (bird flu) outside the UK’. There are multiple outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the US and Canada. Imports to Great Britain of relevant poultry and poultry products (including hatching eggs and day old chicks) from affected regions of Canada and the United States are no longer authorised.
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Updated the sections about bluetongue virus, African swine fever, chronic wasting disease and lumpy skin disease.
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Added safeguarding measures on feeder rodents imported from Lithuania.
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Updated the section 'Avian influenza (bird flu) outside the UK'. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) import restrictions for Ukraine and Australia have been lifted.
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Added information regarding Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Botswana and the suspension of imports of certain animals and products from Botswana.
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Updated the information under the 'Avian influenza (bird flu) in the UK' heading to reflect the UK is now free from avian influenza.
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Updated following the confirmation of low pathogenic avian influenza at a commercial chicken farm in Mid Suffolk.
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New advice on African swine fever added. Advice updated on avian influenza (bird flu), bluetongue virus and lumpy skin disease. Crabs from Anglesey still cannot be exported to Hong Kong. Continued restrictions on trade of agricultural commodities to the Russian Federation until December 2019.
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Avian influenza (bird flu) in the UK section updated: trade unaffected following findings of bird flu in wild birds in England. Avian influenza (bird flu) outside the UK section updated: new strain of HPAI detected in wild birds in Northern Europe.
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Bluetongue virus in Europe section added and updated the chronic wasting disease and lumpy skin disease sections.
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Avian influenza in the UK section updated: the UK has declared itself free from highly pathogenic avian influenza today.
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Updated the guidance on avian influenza in Europe and the UK, lumpy skin disease in Europe, and restrictions on trade of agricultural commodities to the Russian Federation.
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Updated in the light of the case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) confirmed in turkeys on a poultry farm near Louth in Lincolnshire on 16 December 2016.
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Updated information about avian influenza (bird flu) outside the UK, lumpy skin disease in Europe and chronic wasting disease in Norway.
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Added information on the UK becoming officially free of notifiable avian influenza.
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Published an update on lumpy skin disease in Bulgaria and updated content under other headings.
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Avian influenza (bird flu) section updated: the UK has today declared itself free from highly pathogenic avian influenza.
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Updated the section on Avian influenza (bird flu) in the UK.
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Updated the section on: Avian influenza (bird flu) outside the UK
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Avian Influenza section updated as final cleansing has now been done.
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Added new section on Lumpy skin disease in Greece. Removed the section on changes to the import requirements of intermediate products.
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We've made a further about to the information about exports of crabs to Hong Kong.
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Updated the section dealing with export of live crabs to China and Hong Kong.
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Updated to reflect lifting of avian influenza (bird flu) restrictions in Lancashire on 16 August 2015.
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Updated Restrictions on trade of agricultural commodities to the Russian Federation as ban has been extended to 2016.
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Avian influenza: United Kingdom (UK) notification of regionalisation added.
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Added line on outbreak of avian influenza in the commune of Herzlake, Lower Saxony, Germany.
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Section on bird flu in the UK updated to reflect a confirmed case at a farm in Lancashire. Page reordered - it now leads with the most recently updated item.
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Section on bird flu in the UK updated to reflect a suspect case at a farm in Lancashire.
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Amended the following sections: Avian Influenza (AI) outbreaks in the UK: availability of Export Health Certificates; Low Pathogenic Outbreak of Avian Influenza in the UK.
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Updated the Live crabs to China: residue testing section.
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Added information around horse imports from third countries.
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Added information about a new methodology for determining cadmium levels in foods.
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Added information about live crab exports to China.
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First published.
Update history
2024-10-31 15:35
Added a new section about small hive beetle in the region of Sicily, Italy.The UK has suspended the import of bees, apiculture products and used beekeeping equipment into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) from the region of Sicily in Italy.
2024-10-25 10:00
Updated ‘Bluetongue virus (BTV) in the EU and EFTA states’ and ‘Epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) in Europe’ sections to add information about movement restrictions and testing for susceptible animals imported from affected countries and countries within 150km of an affected country.
2024-09-26 12:00
Updated ‘African swine fever (ASF) in the European Union and EFTA states’ section, as new special measures apply from 27 September 2024.
2024-09-11 13:22
Added declarations suspending the import of ovine and caprine fresh or chilled skins and hides from Bulgaria to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).
2024-09-10 17:00
Added a new section about sheep pox and goat pox in Bulgaria.Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) has temporarily suspended the imports of the following ovine and caprine commodities from Bulgaria: live animals and germplasm.
2024-08-23 16:31
Added ‘Peste des petits ruminants in European Union: declaration of special measures (Scotland)’
2024-08-21 16:24
From 22 August 2024, the peste des petits ruminants personal import restrictions will also apply to bringing certain sheep and goat products into Wales.
2024-08-20 17:30
From 21 August 2024, individuals can only bring certain sheep and goat products from the EU, EFTA states, the Faroe Islands and Greenland into England for personal consumption. This is due to the spread of peste des petits ruminants in Europe.
2024-07-25 17:24
Added declarations restricting the import of following sheep and goat commodities from Romania: untreated wool and hair, and fresh or chilled (untreated) skins and hides.
2024-07-24 16:45
Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) has temporarily suspended the import of the following sheep and goat commodities from Romania: raw milk and milk products, live animals and germplasm. This is due to an outbreak of peste des petits ruminants.
2024-07-22 15:32
Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) has temporarily suspended the import from Greece of raw milk and raw dairy products derived from sheep and goats. This is due to an outbreak of peste des petits ruminants in Greece.
2024-06-05 18:01
Added a new section on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Australia. The import of certain ratite products is suspended from Australia to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) for consignments produced on or after 22 May 2024.
2024-04-16 13:13
The declarations revoking special measures for sheep pox and goat pox in Spain and Bulgaria for England, Scotland and Wales are in effect from 17 April 2024.
2024-04-16 12:22
Added declarations revoking special measures for sheep pox and goat pox in Spain and Bulgaria for England, Scotland and Wales. Removed previous declarations.
2024-04-05 14:31
The restrictions on the import of ovine and caprine live animals and germplasm from Spain and Bulgaria have been lifted.
2024-02-28 15:48
The restrictions on the import of poultry, ratite and wild game bird meat into Great Britain from Argentina have been lifted.
2024-01-24 10:32
Added guidance about import restrictions for domestic and wild pig meat products from Montenegro into Great Britain due to African Swine Fever.
2023-11-09 16:05
The temporary suspension of imports of ovine and caprine commodities from Greece includes fresh or chilled skins and hides. We have published the declaration of special measures for sheep pox and goat pox in Greece.
2023-11-01 13:15
Information has been added about sheep pox and goat pox in Greece.
2023-10-26 16:22
Updated import requirements for exporting live ruminants from bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) affected countries to Great Britain. Also removed Switzerland from the list of confirmed outbreaks epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) in Europe.
2023-10-20 15:38
Updated guidance for imports of live ruminants from countries with bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3). Added outbreak of epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHC) in Switzerland on 10 October.
2023-10-16 15:56
Updated information about bluetongue virus (BTV) in Europe.
2023-10-06 16:46
Updated dates of the epizootic haemorrhagic disease outbreaks in Europe.
2023-10-02 17:23
Updated information on epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) in Europe.
2023-08-09 10:55
Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) has recognised Belgium’s bluetongue virus disease-free status. Added guidance on imports of live ungulates from Belgium to Great Britain.
2023-07-20 17:49
Added information for the lifting of reinforced controls for beef, poultry meat and meat products from Brazil.
2023-06-23 00:15
From 23 June 2023, Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and the Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) have suspended the import of live cervids and high risk cervid products, including urine hunting lures, from countries where chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been reported.
2023-06-19 16:22
Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) has resumed imports from HPAI-free areas of Chile.
2023-05-26 11:05
From 26 May 2023: Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) has suspended the import of bees, apiculture products and used beekeeping equipment from Réunion, an overseas territory of France. Great Britain has resumed the export of fresh meat and by-products of ungulates from FMD-free areas of Botswana to England, Scotland and Wales. Scotland has amended their declaration of special measures for small hive beetle in Calabria, Italy.
2023-03-29 15:49
Updated the ‘Changes to the minimum surveillance period for imports of poultry and poultry products (including ratites) from bird flu affected countries’ section to include ratites and add the revised model health certificates.
2023-03-17 15:29
Added new sections for ‘Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) import restrictions: Chile’ and ‘Epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) in Europe’.
2023-03-07 15:44
Imports of poultry, ratite and wild game bird meat into Great Britain from Argentina that were slaughtered on or after 28 February 2023 are suspended. Meat products of poultry and farmed feathered game must be heat treated to 70°C throughout the meat (heat treatment ‘D’). The requirement for heat treatment ‘D’ already applies to wild game birds.
2023-03-02 14:06
Updated the ‘Avian influenza (bird flu) outside the UK’ section. The surveillance period for imports of live animals and fresh poultry meat from highly pathogenic avian influenza control zones has reduced from 90 days to 30 days.
2023-02-17 13:28
Updated the Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) risk status of trading partners section.
2023-01-19 16:58
The UK has suspended the import of bees, apiculture products and used beekeeping equipment into Great Britain from the region of Calabria in Italy.
2022-12-01 13:49
The import of raw milk and milk products is no longer restricted from Spain. This follows a risk assessment by Defra finding that these commodities do not pose an unacceptable level of risk to Great Britain.
2022-11-29 16:57
Added fresh or chilled skins and hides to the list of sheep and goat products that are temporarily restricted from entering Great Britain from Spain.
2022-11-22 14:12
Added an amendment to the declaration of special measures for the commercial import of animals from Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Romania (Scotland). Documents that show proof of registration or approval of a premises must be issued within 6 months.
2022-11-16 09:26
Added an amendment to the declaration of special measures for the commercial import of animals from Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Romania (Wales). Documents that show proof of registration or approval of a premises must be issued within 6 months.
2022-11-14 09:00
Added an amendment to the declaration of special measures for the commercial import of animals from Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Romania from 29 October (England). Documents that show proof of registration or approval of a premises must be issued within 6 months.
2022-11-02 14:50
From 28 October 2022, the import of fresh poultry meat from Japan into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) is suspended.
2022-10-31 15:10
Approved Importer status for the commercial import of animals from Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Romania applies to Wales from 1 November 2022.
2022-10-25 10:15
Added how to apply for Approved Importer status from 29 October 2022 if you commercially import dogs, cats and ferrets into England that originate from or have been dispatched from Belarus, Poland, Romania or Ukraine.
2022-10-07 16:25
Removed ‘fresh or chilled skins and hides’ from the list of sheep and goat products from Spain that are restricted from entering Great Britain.
2022-10-06 14:54
Added a new section for the lifting of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) import restrictions from Japan.
2022-09-30 00:15
Added a new section for sheep and goat pox in Spain. From 30 September, live sheep and goats and certain sheep and goat products from Spain are temporarily restricted from entering Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).
2022-09-20 16:16
Added new section on foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Botswana. Great Britain has temporarily suspended exports of fresh meat and by-products of ungulates from the whole of Botswana if they were processed after 28 July 2022.
2022-09-02 17:00
Great Britain’s temporary suspension of the commercial import of dogs, cats and ferrets if they originate from or have been dispatched from Belarus, Poland, Romania or Ukraine, has been extended until 29 October 2022.
2022-09-01 12:33
Added African Swine Fever (ASF) special measures. From 1 September, pork and pork products over 2kg are prohibited from entering Great Britain unless they have been produced to EU commercial standards.
2022-08-10 11:57
Edited the guidance under the ‘Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) status for Canada and Ireland’ heading.
2022-07-28 10:23
The World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OiE) has updated the risk status for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) from ‘controlled’ to ‘negligible’ for Canada and Ireland.
2022-07-25 16:36
Added 4 new documents to revoke safeguard measures for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Canada and the United States of America.
2022-07-08 17:00
Great Britain’s temporary suspension of the commercial import of dogs, cats and ferrets if they originate from or have been dispatched from Belarus, Poland, Romania or Ukraine, has been extended until 3 September 2022.
2022-06-29 10:36
6 updated documents have been uploaded for ‘Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Canada and the United States of America’; 1. ‘Highly pathogenic avian influenza in the USA: declaration of special measures (England)’ | 2. ‘Highly pathogenic avian influenza in the USA: declaration of special measures (Scotland)’ | 3. ‘Highly pathogenic avian influenza in USA: declaration of special measures (Wales)’ | 4. ‘Highly pathogenic avian influenza in Canada: declaration of special measures (England)’ | 5. ‘Highly pathogenic avian influenza in Canada: declaration of special measures (Scotland)’ | 6. ‘Highly pathogenic avian influenza in Canada: declaration of special measures (Wales)’.
2022-06-01 09:29
Updated the declarations under the ‘Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Canada and the United States of America’ heading.
2022-05-14 00:15
Great Britain’s temporary suspension of the commercial import of dogs, cats and ferrets if they originate from or have been dispatched from Belarus, Poland, Romania or Ukraine, has been extended until 9 July 2022.
2022-05-13 12:46
Declarations of special measures for the commercial import of animals from Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Romania will be replaced with new declarations from 14 May 2022.
2022-05-09 13:16
Updated the declarations under the ‘Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Canada and the United States of America’ heading.
2022-04-26 16:12
Added the Declaration of special measures for the commercial import of animals from Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Romania to Wales.
2022-04-26 11:06
Updated the USA declarations under the ‘Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Canada and the United States of America’ heading to reflect new outbreaks in the United States.
2022-04-15 13:07
Declaration of special measures for the commercial import of animals from Ukraine, Belarus. Poland and Romania to Scotland.
2022-04-14 15:17
England has temporarily suspended the commercial import of dogs, cats and ferrets if they originate from or have been dispatched from Ukraine, Belarus, Poland or Romania, until 14 May 2022.
2022-04-13 15:04
Updated the USA declarations under the ‘Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Canada and the United States of America’ heading to reflect new outbreaks in the United States.
2022-04-07 10:30
Updated the section ‘Avian influenza (bird flu) outside the UK’. Replaced the USA avian influenza declarations for England, Wales and Scotland with new versions.
2022-03-29 18:13
Updated the section ‘Avian influenza (bird flu) outside the UK’. There are multiple outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the US and Canada. Imports to Great Britain of relevant poultry and poultry products (including hatching eggs and day old chicks) from affected regions of Canada and the United States are no longer authorised.
2022-03-25 12:02
Updated the sections about bluetongue virus, African swine fever, chronic wasting disease and lumpy skin disease.