Beginning January 1, 2021, there will be new guidelines to follow in the event of moving Products of Animal Origin (POAO), Animal By Products (ABP) and other controlled products (RG) to Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI).
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been identified to be present in Northern Ireland. This could be a concern in the transport of animals as well as SPS products to Northern Ireland.
Defra has provided clarity for traders about the EU’s regulations regarding the export of poultry products due to the current avian flu (AI) spread that is currently affecting Great Britain.
The products are:
Meat, meat products and other meat preparations,
Shellfish, fish, and other seafood
Dairy products and milk,
Egg products, table eggs, and eggs
Composition products that include milk, meat, eggs, dairy products, or fish
Honey
Blood as well as Blood products
Animal casings
Fats from Rendered and Lard
Bones, Bone products , and Gelatine
Pet Food
Manure from the farmyard and chicken litter
Gene material (semen, embryos, ova)
Animal products used for research for education, diagnostic, or display to serve as exhibits, research, or education
Feathers, feathers treated, and down
Hay and Straw
Animal Feeding
Be aware that different arrangements are in place for the movement of retail merchandise through licensed retailers. This guide is only to be used to transport goods beyond those arrangements.
Before transferring regulated POAO, ABP and other RG from GB to NI the person or business responsible for the consignment must
Make sure they’re registered on TRACES.NT (the web-based EU system that allows for pre-notification of SPS products that are entering EU territories).
If needed, request copies of the export medical certificates (EHCs) after they have been approved by the officials of Great Britain as well as any other supporting documents, if they are required.
Make sure the transportation in the movement of Prohibited or Restricted (P&R) chilling meat product is in accordance with the guidelines that are available.
In the event that it is required, ensure that the product meets the following standards as well as that organic items come with a certificate of inspection (COI).
Notify DAERA at least 24 hours ahead of the arrival of your shipment to Northern Ireland by preparing the Common Health Entry Form for Products (CHED P) on TRACES NT , and uploading scans of colour copies of the EHCs along with any supporting documents like organic COIs, catch certificates and certifications of conformity from marketing standards. When it is big to be sent as a single file , it is possible to make it two separate files.
If required, ensure that the product conforms to requirements of the Food Standards Agency labelling requirements.
Check that the product is able to enter through a port or airport The point of Entry (PoE) where it is a EU designation for the product.
Check that all consignments are clearly identified with an official seal that is tamperproof to the transportation and this seal’s number is recorded in both the EHCs along with CHEDs.
Make sure that any wood packaging material that is moving from GB to Northern Ireland is ISPM15 compatible (heat treatment and stamping).
Follow the groupage guidelines when moving consignments in the program of groupage.
When you arrive to Northern Ireland – Checks and Compliance
Consignments must meet to the requirements that are set out in the Official Controls Regulation to enter Northern Ireland. Further information about the Official inspections conducted at the Points of Entry and compliance can be found within the Compliance Protocol document.
When goods require physical inspection the driver is required to follow directions to the appropriate inspection facilities located at the port.
If all checks are successful the consignment will be cleared. The decision will be registered in the 2nd Part of the CHED that will be sent directly to the recipient, you as the consignor electronically. Your consignment is now ready to be moved to its location.
Vehicles that haven’t been identified for physical inspection are considered to have passed the necessary health checks and are able to travel to their NI destination with no delay.
Products that are delivered to Northern Ireland but cannot be cleared due to non-compliance of import regulations are subject to enforcement procedures. The goods are not allowed to into Northern Ireland.
Transferring POAO, ABPs and other RG to NI from the EU using the GB landbridge
In the case of consignments that comprise POAO, ABP and other RG originating from the EU that are passing through GB via landbridges, DAERA requires the importation of the consignment to be alerted via the TRACES NT so that it is made sure that the NI point of Entry is aware of the arrival of the consignment.
Transferring POAO, ABPs and other RG into NI , originating from Rest of the World (RoW) countries
There are various requirements to move POAO, ABPs and RG into Northern Ireland from the RoW according to the type of commodity. Each consignment must be entered into NI through an authorized Border Control Post either in NI or an EU Union Member state.
Support Health Attestations (SHAs)
If POAO originated in NI is intended to be exported to GB into the EU or re-export back into NI any NI to GB moves of Product of Animal Origin might require a Support Health Attestation (SHA) or in some instances, an support Attestation (SA). A SHA can provide the required phytosanitary and sanitary (SPS) assurances that will allow to complete the ultimate EHC for GB. The SHA isn’t required for entry into GB and, therefore, should only be utilized when there is a need for assurance that is outlined by a certifying officer GB.
More information and advice on rules changes for POAO, ABP and other RG
The Composite Product – revised guidelines provided by the Food Standards Agency (FSA)
More information is available on the EU Exit Q&As.
If you’re unable to find the EHC you require, you can contact for assistance from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
Individual imports for POAO coming from GB-NI have to be in line with EU Regulations
Help with the relocation of Products of Animal Origin (POAO), Animal By-Products (ABP) and other controlled goods (RG) to and from GB to NI through the Movement Assistance Scheme
