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Bord Bia

Live Animals and Germination Products

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What you need to know

Since January 2021

Health certification and import pre-notification requirements:

  • The Irish exporter must register with the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) as an exporter of animals and products of animal origin (POAO) to non-EU countries.  
  • The Irish exporting business must ensure that your business details are registered on TRACES and listed on the “approved list of establishments allowed to export to the UK” and to apply to DAFM for an EHC.  
  • The UK Office of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Trade Assurance is responsible for ensuring all conditions are met on live animal and POAO exports to Great Britain.  
  • From 1 January 2021, consignments of Live Animals and germinal products exported to GB must be pre-notified to the new UK IT system - Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System IPAFFS and accompanied by an export health certificate (EHC).  
  • The GB importer will need to register with IPAFFS and submit pre-notification to IPAFFS a minimum of 24hrs prior to the arrival of the consignment. When this pre-notification is completed this will generate a Unique Notification Number (UNN). The GB Importer will need to provide the UNN to the Irish exporter.  
  • The Export Health Certificate (EHC) must be organised by the Irish exporter from the EU country of origin’s competent authority, namely DAFM for Irish exports. The Irish exporter will apply for an EHC from their Regional Veterinary Office (RVO), the Irish exporter must provide the certifying vet with the UNN for inclusion on the EHC. 
  • EHC for germinal products will be generated through the TRACES system. Irish exporters must request this from the RVO at least 5 working days pre export.   
  • All model GB health certificates can be found here. It is important that you pay close attention to the requirements specific to your product. The exporter will need to provide the necessary information to the certifying OV to allow them to generate the EHC. The original cert must accompany the consignment and a scanned colour copy must be emailed to the GB importer who must upload it to IPAFFS. 
  • Depending on the type of animal, specific welfare requirements may apply including the need for specifically approved transportation vehicles, and certificates of competence or authorisations for the drivers and handlers of the animals. 
  • The specific requirements for the various categories of animals and further detail can be found on the DAFM website. 
  • GB Import documentary checks will occur remotely, with identity and physical checks undertaken at the point of destination on a risk basis.

Since October 2021

Continue to adhere with the requirements as set out for 01 January 2021.