Members involved in exporting should be aware that Defra have published (13^th April) updated guidance on the Groupage Export Facilitation Scheme (GEFS). This replaces the previous version dated May 2025, and is now in effect.

The GEFS facilitates exports from approved food business operators with defined supply chains, by using 30-day Support Attestations (SAs) to help in the certification process.

Responding to industry and Official Veterinarians (OVs) feedback, the updated version adds some clarifications and changes. Some changes may impact how OVs and Food Competent Certifying Officers (FCCOs) sign SAs and Export Health Certificates (EHCs).

Key changes

The eligibility requirements for using the GEFS remain unchanged, as do the requirements to use a SA and a Batch Declaration for each and every consignment moved to the exporting premises.

However, the requirements for using the GEFS have changed, moving from the need for a “stable” supply chain to a “defined” supply chain, to facilitate the addition of new suppliers into a GEFS SA.

This means the GEFS may be used where manufacturers source their Product Of Animal Origin (POAO) or Animal By Products (ABPs) ingredients from a known and documented supply chain, verifiable by the OV or FCCO conducting the compliance visit.

To do this, the manufacturer must have in place and use a thorough and robust onboarding process for all suppliers and supply relevant evidence to the OV or FCCO.

This replaces the requirement to provide evidence documenting a stable supply chain for the preceding six months. More detail can be found in paragraphs 57-62 and 71-75 in the updated guidance.

The SA for OVs covering POAO goods (SA1) has also been expanded to cover all commodities eligible to be exported using the GEFS, as well as attestations omitted on the previous version. A few small revisions have also been made to all template SAs to clarify what information should be provided in Part 1.B.

The updated SAs may be used immediately and must be used from 13 July 2026.

Template SA’s can be found using the links below:

• Support Attestation for OVs – POAO (SA1)
• Support Attestation for OVs – ABP (SA2)
• Support Attestation for FCCOs – specific POAO goods (SA3)

For further questions or clarification contact the GEFS team at APHA at gefsteam@apha.gov.uk

Or contact APHA’s Centre for International Trade – Carlisle, email: exports@apha.gov.uk Telephone: 03000 300 201