Important changes as EU Animal Health Law comes into force
The European Union Animal Health Law (AHL) came into force yesterday, 21 April 2021, and extensive lobbying by the specially convened International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC) Task Force has been instrumental in a number of key provisions either being removed or their implementation delayed.
Two key changes in the legislation are an extension for the use of the current Export Health Certificates (EHCs) for horse movement until August 2021, and the removal of the proposed 30-day isolation period prior to transportation of horses from the United Kingdom (UK) to EU Member States (MSs) and Northern Ireland. In addition, UK horses will no longer be required to do a 30-day isolation period prior to transportation to an EU MSs or Northern Ireland.
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Checklist for travelling horses to the EU
17/02/2021 BEF update: EU travel
Importing Equines
New rules for January 2021
The UK has left the EU, and the transition period after Brexit comes to an end this year.
This page tells you what you'll need to do from 1 January 2021. It will be updated if anything changes.
Check what else you need to do during the transition period.
Status of UK studbooks confirmed
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The EU has confirmed that it will recognise all UK studbooks once the post-Brexit transition period comes to an end on 31 December. This means that horses with a studbook passport can be considered as registered equines and will not need an additional UK Government-issued ID document in order to travel to the EU. Find out more here
Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS)
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Scottish Government has adopted a phased approach to the introduction of SPS controls on goods imported from EU to GB. This is in line with UKG and Welsh Government’s approach and will give traders additional time to prepare.
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From 1 January 2021, all traders must prepare for basic customs requirements.
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Importers of live animals or high priority plants and plant products will need to pre-notify of their arrival and provide health certification for their imports.
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From 1 April all products of animal origin will require to pre notify and provide a valid export health certificate.
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​From 31 July, all SPS products must enter through a Border Control Post and be subject to risk based physical checks and sampling. The border control post must be designated for the specific commodity type,
Scottish Government have been advised that there is still a number of live animal importers (livestock/famers) in Scotland who are known to not notify on The Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS), and are require to do so from 1 January 2021 to generate the UNN needed for the health certificate. As a reminder:
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Guidance on the import process can be found in the Border Operating Model - BordersOpModel.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
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IPAFFS will replace the EU’s system TRACES in GB. You must register for IPAFFS - Import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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IPAFFS is administered by the Animal Health and Plant Agency on behalf of Defra and the devolved administrations.
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You can get help to use IPAFFS by calling APHA on 03000 200 301, 8:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).