UK secures ‘listed status’ to protect exports
Government claims certainty for valuable animal health market
According to government sources, the UK has secured approval to continue exporting animals and animal products to the EU if we leave without a deal on 31 October – providing certainty for a market worth more than £5 billion a year.
Environment secretary, Theresa Villiers has confirmed that EU member states have granted the UK ‘national listed status’, which ensures exports of live animals and products of animal origin, such as meat, fish and dairy, can continue.
The move recognises the UK’s high biosecurity and animal health standards and will bring welcome clarity to the country’s world-leading farmers and food producers.
The EU’s Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed confirmed the acceptance of the UK’s listed status on Friday 11 October after it met the health and biosecurity assurances required for a third country.
With listed status now confirmed, if the UK leaves without a deal, businesses exporting animals and animal products to the EU will still need to meet new requirements, such as going through the correct EU Border Inspection Post.
Businesses will also require an Export Health Certificate (EHC), which will need to be signed by a certifier such as an Official Veterinarian.
The decision will also allow the continued movement of equines between the UK and the EU, providing welcome reassurance to the sector.
Guidance for animal importers and exporters is available on GOV.UK. End-to-end journey maps, clearly set out all the steps exporters will need to take. The exports guidance has been updated to clarify that EHCs will be required for all different product types within a consignment. Specific guidance for equine exporters is available.
If we leave with a deal, the UK will not need to be listed during the implementation period. To give certainty to businesses and citizens, common rules will remain in place until the end of the implementation period meaning businesses will be able to trade on the same terms as now up until the end of 2020.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
