Animals, animal by-products, plants, animal/plant pathogens, food and agricultural products
The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) processes and procedures apply to all biological goods imported from the EU. The SPS controls include the requirement for import pre-notifications, health certificates, entry via an established point of entry with an appropriate border control point plus identity and physical checks at the control points. These controls were originally planned to be phased in during 2021 but some were delayed until 2022.
| New controls coming in | |
| 1 Jan 2022 | UK importers must pre-notify enforcement authorities in Great Britain about imports of HRFNAO (high risk food or feed not of animal origin) and imports of animal by-products using IPAFFS (Import of products, animals, food and feed systems). |
| 1 Jul 2022: | Additional documentation will be required (export health certificates) and relevant imports must come through a border control point for additional checks. |
For the generation, transportation, handling, processing, storage placing on the market, distribution, use or disposal of animal by products (ABPs) or derived products within the EU, the University is registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (AHPA). For more information please see guidance from the Safety Office.
Since1 January 2022 departments are responsible for submitting the pre-notification of incoming consignments via IPAFFS 24 hours before a consignment is due to arrive.
Contact the University Biomedical Service (UBS) for all requests.
From 1 July 2022 additional documentation will be required (export health certificates) and relevant imports must come through a border control point for additional checks. The Animal and Plant Health Agency guidance of the animal products that are impacted by this change, includes
- animal by-products/products not for human consumption
- animal and plant pathogens
- blood and blood products,
- educational tools,
- gelatin and collagen,
- hydrolysed proteins,
- dicalcium phosphate and tricalcium phosphate,
- processed animal protein (PAP),
- products for technical and pharmaceutical use,
- research /trade samples
- display items
Check if your import of animal and/or plant pathogens falls under the Specified Animal Pathogen Order (SAPO). Please see the Safety Office guidance on SAPO
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
www.gov.uk/guidance/cites-imports-and-exports
www.gov.uk/guidance/trading-cites-listed-specimens-through-uk-ports-and-airports
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.
contact the University Biomedical Service (UBS) for all requests.
From 1 July 2022: additional documentation will be required (export health certificates) and 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.
Government guidance on importing and exporting live animals or animal products is also available
Please refer to the latest guidance from the UK Government on how to import and export plants and plant products to and from the UK.
www.gov.uk/government/collections/importing-and-exporting-plants-and-plant-products
If you intend to import plant genetic resources from overseas, you should check if the Nagoya Protocol applies to your research. The Nagoya Protocol is an international agreement to ensure the users, including researchers, of plant and animal genetic resources share the benefits of their utilisation with the provider country from which the genetic resource was obtained. More information is available from Nagoya Protocol webpage.
Every country has rights over the genetic resources that exist within its borders. The Nagoya Protocol is an international agreement to ensure the users (ie. 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 protocol.
Nagoya Protocol webpage for further information on how to comply with the Nagoya Protocol.
If you import or export certain wood and timber products to or from the UK you will have to comply with plant health regulations, restrictions and requirements. The regulations are designed to protect the natural environment and plant-based industries of receiving countries from the introductions of harmful organisms that can be present in wood. Please see Government guidance
www.gov.uk/government/collections/importing-and-exporting-wood-and-timber-products
From 1 January 2021 there are some differences in the rules for importing and exporting timber in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and importing and exporting timber in Northern Ireland. Please see the guidance issued by the Government which covers imported and domestic timber and a broad range of timber products, including composites such as furniture, pulp and paper.
Government guidance on applying for an import certificate to import a medicinal product into the UK for veterinary use.
www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-certificate-to-import-a-veterinary-medicine-into-the-uk
If you use, produce or supply wood packaging material to move goods to or from the EU or the rest of the world, you must ensure it meets international standards. Please see the Government guidance
www.gov.uk/guidance/import-or-export-wood-packaging-material