DEFRA have released a tranche of updates regarding the ongoing outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Germany and what it means for imports. Some IVDs may contain materials of animal origin. If you are concerned your products are affected, please contact neil.plumridge@bivda.org.uk.
Restrictions on the movement of certain live animals and animal product imports from Germany into GB
Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) has suspended the import of the following commodities to Great Britain from Germany, following a confirmed case of FMD on 10 January 2025:
- live (including non-domestic) ungulates (ruminants and porcine animals, including wild game) and their germplasm
- fresh meat from ungulates
- meat products from ungulates that have not been subject to specific treatment D1 or higher (including wild game)
- milk, colostrum and their products, unless subjected to treatment as defined in Article 4 of Regulation 2010/605
- animal by-products, unless treated to effectively mitigate the risk of FMD
DEFRA have issued information on the restrictions, and technical details are on the relevant lists on GOV UK.
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) webinar recording
DEFRA recently held a call for businesses on this topic, with input from the DEFRA Borders team, Animal and Plant Health and Welfare and the UK Office for SPS Trade Assurance. You can watch the recording here.
What to do if your animal product import is held at the border
If your animal product import is being held at the border, there may be a number of reasons:
- Current restrictions due to foot and mouth disease in Germany
- The Port Health Authority requires an inspection
- Incorrect, missing or no documentation
- Errors in your CHED import notification or your customs declaration
Your first point of contact for animal product imports held at the border should always be the port health authority at the point of entry. You’ll find full contact details for all PHAs on GOV UK and on this map. You must provide:
- The CHED import notification references (format CHED?.2025.???????) for the consignments being held
- Vehicle registrations and trailer numbers for any trucks or trailers held
It’s also useful to provide the customs declaration MRN number and the Goods Movement Reference if there is one.
The PHA will be able to tell you why the goods are being held and what action you need to take to resolve the hold.
Useful contacts
Imports of animal products: for urgent questions about imports of animal products, including germinal products, contact the Port Health Authority or Local Authority at the Border Control Post (BCP) for the goods’ point of entry. Find the BCP and the PHA/LA contact information on this map or list.
Imports of live animals: for urgent questions about imports of live animals, contact APHA
