The threats to public health and from animal and plant disease, such as African Swine Fever and Xylella fastidiosa, continue to change and it is important that responsive biosecurity controls are in place to combat them. The UK government will expect the supply chains of goods subject to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) controls to be ready for the following changes:

From 31 January 2024 traders must:

• continue to provide an Export Health Certificate (EHC) for live animal and germinal product imports;
• obtain an Export Health Certificate (EHC) for medium risk animal products, and some high-risk food and feed not of animal origin (HRFNAO);
• obtain a Phytosanitary Certificate (PCs) for medium risk plants and plant products;
• continue to provide a Phytosanitary Certificate (PCs) for high-risk plants and plant products.

The person responsible for the load must continue (begin for movements from Ireland) pre-notifying Great Britain via the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed system (IPAFFS) for all live animals, germinal products, animal products, high risk food and feed not of animal origin (HRFNAO) and medium and high-risk plant and plant products.

Technical questions and answers about Sanitary and Phytosanitary Controls (SPS) are available here.

For urgent BTOM/import queries for plants and plant products send an email to phsi-importers@apha.gov.uk.

For urgent BTOM/import queries for animals and animal products send an email to imports@apha.gov.uk.