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

SHARE:

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



OneCall™ Email assistance as and when required; A one-call solution for all your import, export and customs enquiries. Export help. Import help. Customs help.

Stay informed about customs and international trade matters by subscribing to our OneCall™ service. This comprehensive offering includes a dedicated email helpline for support, timely practical updates direct to your inbox (Did You Know?), monthly UK Customs & Trade Briefings and access to an interactive members' area with an exclusive community for our subscribers.

Subscribe Today ➝

International Trade Updates & Spotlight Newsletter

Subscribe to our free information emails covering international trade topics...

Subscribe to our newsletter ➝

MORE INDUSTRY INSIGHTS...

by Gail Leeson 12 June 2025
The latest Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) newsletter release has been published. It gives the latest operational updates on border controls for importing live animals, germinal products, products of animal origin and animal by-products into Great Britain.
by Niamh O'Connor 12 June 2025
From 28 June 2025, licence data on declarations for goods movements into or out of Northern Ireland will be verified by the EU system CERTEX. This replaces Northern Ireland's Automatic Licence Verification System (ALVS).
by Niamh O'Connor 11 June 2025
HMRC has advised that the planned release of CDS version 4.8.0 will impact the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS), and declarations may be delayed if not submitted in good time before the CDS downtime scheduled for 22:30 on Saturday, June 14th.
Show More