EU vote to delay the Export Heath Certification compliance requirement supporting GB supply of products of animal origin, from 21st August to 15th January, 2022

BY:

Gail Leeson
11 August 2021

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DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) have contacted GB traders to advise of a change in the EHC requirement needed to support GB exports of products of animal origin.

Seafish, the public body that supports the UK seafood industry, confirmed via their website that they had received communication from DEFRA confirming the delay in the EHC implementation date for GB exporters.

Background

A change earlier in the year to the EU Animal Health Regulation (AHR) required that an Export Health Certificate, signed by competent authority (a Vet), would be necessary for all goods subject to the regulation for export from 21st August, 2021.
The EU have voted to delay that regulatory requirement until 15th January, 2022, which will be very welcome news to British food producers, retailers and farmers involved in the GB to EU food supply chain. 

In effect, the change would mean that any EHC signed before 15th January, 2022 would be valid until 15th March, 2022. A very welcome breathing space.

Exports affected will include all products of animal origin, live animals, germinal products, and composite products, the latter affecting the movement of GB origin sausages as an example 

To date there is no available information on the Gov.UK website, but it is anticipated that the information will be for general publication in due course



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