This newsletter covers the latest operational updates on requirements and border controls for importing live animals, germinal products, products of animal origin and animal by-products into Great Britain.
In this newsletter:
Sevington Key Reminders for Trade
Join the APHA Business Readiness Forum
Lumpy skin disease: import of germinal products from France, Italy and Spain
Bluetongue Virus outbreak in Lithuania
Useful contacts
Sevington Key Reminders for Trade
Tachograph break guidance for drivers
Drivers are reminded not to take tachograph breaks at the Sevington Border Control Post. For full guidance, including details of nearby designated service areas, click here: Tachograph break guidance for drivers
CHED References for Faster Processing
To avoid delays:
Ensure all CHED references related to the consignment are readily available upon arrival at the BCP Front Office
These may not always be in the physical paperwork however, electronic formats (text/email) are acceptable.
CHED references must be accurate and current
Always copy CHED references directly from IPAFFS after submission to avoid customs declaration errors.
Checks – Swim Lane Triage
Sevington BCP is a joint site with the Inland Border Facility (IBF), and misrouting can occur. To ensure correct triage:
Clearly state to swim lane staff that the driver is attending for a Defra SPS check.
Include the Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) on the IPAFFS declaration when possible.
Present the Goods Movement Reference (GMR) and CHED reference at the front booth.
Join the APHA Business Readiness Forum
The APHA Business Readiness Forum is a monthly online session that keeps stakeholders up to date on the latest developments in biosecurity and trade.
Our next forum will take place on Tuesday 4 November. If you’d like to join the next session or receive invitations to future ones, please email us at: APHA-BusinessReadinessForum@apha.gov.uk
Reminders
Lumpy skin disease: import of germinal products from France, Italy and Spain
Following further assessment, restrictions on certain germinal products of bovine origin from France and Italy have been amended to include a six-month closing date. This means that the export of bovine germinal products can take place if they were collected before 21 December 2024 for Italy and 29 December 2024 for France.
Please note, a closing date has not been added to Spain’s entries in the respective lists. This means imports of bovine germinal products from Spain are restricted regardless of collection date.
Due to an outbreak of bluetongue serotype 3 in Lithuania, imports of live ruminants from Lithuania must comply with supplementary guarantee ‘A’. This relates to additional vaccination requirements for bluetongue, which are outlined in the relevant health certificates.
Ruminant germinal products imported from all bluetongue infected countries must comply with the bluetongue testing requirements outlined in the relevant health certificates.
Useful contacts
Imports of animalproducts: 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.
Imports of plants and plant products: for urgent questions regarding imports into England and Wales, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), by email, in the first instance: phsi-importers@apha.gov.uk . Alternatively, you can contact them by telephone: +44 (0) 3000 200 301
If you need technical help with IPAFFS, please call the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) helpline on 0330 041 6999 or email APHAServiceDesk@apha.gov.uk (not 24 hours)
