Animal-by products exporting

Exporting animal by-products from Great Britain comes with strict certification and notification requirements that catch many businesses out. The process runs alongside similar systems for live animals and food products, such as IPAFFS pre-notifications, so it helps to understand both if your business moves a mix of products. Below we cover which by-products can and cannot be exported, what certification you need, and how to notify the relevant border control points in advance.

Exporting or transporting animal by-products, including bones and protein.

If you want to export or move animal by-products (ABPs) such as bones and protein, there are some steps you need to follow. In most cases, you will need an Export Health Certificate (EHC) or Model Declaration Form. However, there are some types of ABP that cannot be exported and situations where a certificate is not required.

The certifier invoices the government for these costs; therefore, companies do not have to pay for certification out of pocket as part of the Movement Assistance Scheme.

ABP you cannot export or move

ABP that has not been treated or processed cannot be exported from GB to the EU, NI, or any other non-EU countries. Similarly, you also cannot export SRM, ABP destined for incineration or landfill category 1 and 2 animal by-products (except for a very limited number of items) to non-EU countries.

An EHC or model declaration is needed to:

• export ABP from Great Britain (GB) to the European Union (EU),
• move ABP from GB to Northern Ireland,
• or transit through both EU and NI.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Upon arrival at an EU border control post or NI point of entry in the first country, get your goods checked.
• Make sure that your import agent has alerted the BCP or NI point of entry ahead of time about your arriving shipment – check with them regarding how much notice needs to be given.

If you’re moving or exporting ABP from Great Britain to the European Union or Northern Ireland, you must make sure:

• Mammalian processed animal protein that has been pressure sterilized is from a region considered to have a negligible risk for BSE.
• Tallow for non-feed use includes glycerol triheptanonate as a marker.

To exporting or moving animal by-products, you must first check the export health certificate (EHC) finder in order to obtain either:

• an export health certificate (EHC)
• or a model declaration form.

If you locate an EHC, follow the process described in the EHC document. However, if you cannot find an EHC, then you need to get into contact with the competent authority located in NI or another EU country that you plan on exporting to. Once contacting them, inquire about what paperwork needs to be filled out and which rules need compliance.

In order to ensure smooth trade for your product, you must find a Border Control Point that accepts Advanced Binding Preclearance. You’ll need to be prepared to redirect your trade route if needed – there are more than 400 BCPs in the EU, which can be found at various ports and airports throughout the continent.

You must notify EU BCPs or points of entry in NI in advance of any arriving goods.

Consult the BCP or point of entry you plan to use to find out how much notice is needed. Make sure your import agent contacts the BCP through TRACES – A System for Monitoring Livestock Transport within the set time limit to notify them of the consignment’s arrival.