Members involved in the export of products to the EU should be aware that from 3rd September 2026, a new certification requirement in relation to the use of Anti-Microbial medicinal products for Products Of Animal Origin (POAO) and some live animals will come into effect. This applies where the European Union is the final destination, regardless of the date of production (in the case of POAO).

This new attestation requires that POAO and some live food-producing animals originate from a country or region listed in Annex XVIa of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/405, as amended. Food-producing animals and their products must not be exported to the EU if they have been administered or originate from animals which have been administered:

• An antimicrobial medicinal product used for the purpose of promoting growth or to increase yield
• An antimicrobial medicinal product containing an antimicrobial that is included in the list of antimicrobials reserved for treatment of certain infections in humans laid down in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1255

There are some exemptions set out in Article 1(3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/905.

For POAO obtained from food-producing animals in the UK and for food-producing live animals originating in the UK, the attestation may be certified on the basis of the UK Veterinary Medicines Regulations, the UK Maximum Residue Limit legal framework, and Great Britain’s listing in the relevant EU third-country list.

Where a consignment contains POAO obtained from non-EU third-country origin animals, including products used as ingredients, further processed in GB, or already stored in GB before the requirement applies, the products must comply with the antimicrobial medicinal products attestation to be exported to the EU.

To support certification, exporters must be able to provide sufficient traceability evidence to demonstrate that the relevant animals or products originate from a country or region listed for the relevant product or animal in Annex XVIa of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/405, as amended.

Evidence may include, where relevant:

• supplier declarations;
• import records;
• production or processing records;
• storage records;
• batch traceability information;
• ingredient specifications; or
• country or region of origin documentation

Where sufficient evidence is not available, certification may be delayed or the consignment may not be eligible for export to the EU.

Certifying Officials have been provided guidance on the new certification requirements for this attestation via an official briefing note.

A list of the specific Export Health Certificates affected by this new attestation has been sent to UK Certifying Officials. Please consult with your Certifying Official to determine if this will apply to your consignments.

Notes for Guidance for the affected certificates will be updated in due course.

For further information please contact APHA’s Centre for International Trade – Carlisle:

Email – exports@apha.gov.uk
Telephone – 03000 300 201