UK Guides for Food etc imports: Latest Updates

UK guidance has been updated to include information about the border target operating model risk categories and common health entry documents.

Press release: UK Government takes major step in improving biosecurity and preventing diseases

Our summary: The UK has introduced new border controls to prevent the import of diseases and pests from animal and plant products. These controls are part of the Border Target Operating Model, designed with traders and consumers at the forefront. The controls aim to manage the risk of diseases carried from imported products and ensure only safe, high-quality products are imported. The model will minimize burdens for traders by making smart use of data and technology. The controls are being applied on goods from Ireland for the first time, but Northern Ireland (NI) goods will benefit from full and unconditional unfettered access. The government has worked extensively with traders to ensure the new controls are clear and have ample time to prepare.

The UK government has introduced a new model for importing sanitary and phytosanitary goods, aiming to minimize costs for traders and consumers. The model categorizes animals, germinal products, products of animal origin, and animal by-products into high, medium, or low risk categories based on inherent risks to animal health, food safety, biosecurity, and public health. Controls introduced include simplified export health certificates and phytosanitary certificates for medium-risk animal products and phytosanitary goods imported from the EU, documentary checks on medium-risk goods, and pre-notification requirements for EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary goods entering Great Britain via West Coast ports. The UK Single Trade Window will simplify processes, reduce administrative tasks, and transform user experiences at the border. Read the press release

Guidance on Import risk categories for animals and animal products imported from the EU to the United Kingdom updated

The import rules for each category and the guidance on the import risk categories under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) for animals or animal products imported to Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) from the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein have been revised. Some textual modifications have been implemented by DEFRA in an effort to further examine this information.A number of risk category descriptions in the risk category spreadsheet have been revised to account for the presence of multiple prospective risk categories associated with a given commodity. This is intended to facilitate comprehension of the risk categories. The risk categories are consistent across all cases.A clarification has been made to the risk category summary tables regarding fishery species that are linked to histamine. Specifically, the phrase "histamine (including scombroids)" has been replaced with "histamine (including species belonging to the families Scombridae, Clupeidae, Engraulidae, Coryfenidae, Pomatomidae, or Scombresosidae)." Read guidance 

SPS & Veterinary Border Gov.uk guides updates

The following guides provide a comprehensive overview of the SPS, import and export rules applicable in the UK. They have been updated last week to reflect the latest changes after the entry into operation of the veterinary controls in the UK.

•  African swine fever in pigs and wild boars in Europe

•  Import animal by-products from the EU to Great Britain

•  Import live animals and germinal products to Great Britain under Balai rules

•  Import live animals and germinal products from the EU to Great Britain

•  Import plants and plant products from non-EU countries to Great Britain

•  Import high-risk food and feed not of animal origin from the EU to Great Britain

•  Import food and drink from the EU to Great Britain

•  Importing organic food to the UK

•  Import eggs to Great Britain

• Countries Great Britain will accept validated PDF GB health certificates from

•  Import plants and plant products from the EU to Great Britain

• Transiting animals and animal products through Great Britain

•  Importing and exporting fresh fruit and vegetables

•  Importing or moving fish to the UK

•  Import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS)

• Import risk categories for animals, animal products, plants and plant products

• Export or move food, drink and agricultural products