Live animals, genetic material (including semen, embryos and ova), and animal products for human consumption
Government guidance on importing and exporting live animals or animal products is available at www.gov.uk/government/collections/guidance-on-importing-and-exporting-live-animals-or-animal-products
When importing
- If endangered - CITES- is a certificate or permit is required ?
- Is it genetic resources originating from overseas and a Nagoya Protocol agreement required?
The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) processes and procedures apply to all animals imported from the EU . The Animal and Plant Health Agency guidance details all animals and animal products that these affect. The SPS controls include:
- the requirement for import pre-notifications via IPAFFS 24 hours before a consignment due
- export health certificates (required from 1 Jul 22)
- entry via an established point of entry with an appropriate border control point (required from 1 Jul 22)
- plus identity and physical checks at the control points.
Check if your import, export or re-export needs a permit or certificate under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). You should also check whether the Nagoya Protocol also applies to your work. See the University’s Nagoya Protocol webpage for further information
Since 1 January 2022 departments are responsible for submitting the pre-notification of incoming consignments via IPAFFS 24 hours before a consignment is due to arrive. Please see the Safety Office Guidance and contact the University Biomedical Service (UBS) for all requests.
Relevant imports must come through a border control point for additional checks. The Animal and Plant Health Agency guidance of the animals and animal products that are impacted by this change which includes live animals and genetic material (including semen, embryos and ova) and animal products for human consumption.
Every country has rights over the genetic resources that exist within its borders. The Nagoya Protocol is an international agreement to ensure the users (i.e. researchers!) of plant, animal and microbial genetic resources share the benefits of their utilisation with the provider country. You have a legal obligation to comply with the Protocol where it applies to your research. See the University’s Nagoya Protocol webpage for further information on how to comply with the Nagoya Protocol.