Restrictions on the movement of certain live animals and animal product imports from Germany into GB

As previously communicated. Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) has suspended the import of the following commodities to Great Britain from Germany, following a confirmed case of FMD on 10 January 2025:

• live (including non-domestic) ungulates (ruminants and porcine animals, including wild game) and their germplasm

• fresh meat from ungulates

• meat products from ungulates that have not been subject to specific treatment D1 or higher (including wild game)

• milk, colostrum and their products, unless subjected to treatment as defined in Article 4 of Regulation 2010/605

• animal by-products, unless treated to effectively mitigate the risk of FMD

Defra have issued information on the restrictions, and technical details are on the relevant lists on GOV UK.

This morning (16.01) Defra held a call for businesses on FMD in Germany and the impact on imports. Our subject matter experts from the Defra Borders team, Animal and Plant Health and Welfare and the UK Office for SPS Trade Assurance directly answered questions from businesses. You can watch the recording on APHA’s Youtube channel.

There were a number of questions on the call about the technical specifications and links to legislation around processed meat and dairy products that are still permitted to enter Great Britain. The following information has been provided by the UK Office for SPS Trade Assurance.

Imports of meat products derived from FMD-susceptible animals subject to at least heat treatment D1 or above (heat treatment D, C and B) are still permitted. Treatment D1 requires that products are subject to ‘heating so that an internal temperature of 70 °C or greater is maintained for a minimum of 30 minutes’. This has been achieved through the application of treatment D1 in columns 3, 4, 5, 10 and 11 in the meat products third country listing.

Imports of milk and milk products under column C of Germany’s entry in the milk and milk products third country listing are still permitted. Column C lists those countries authorised for the importation of dairy products derived from raw milk of cows, ewes, goats or buffaloes, or, where specifically authorised, from camels of the species Camelus dromedarius at risk of foot-and-mouth disease provided that the dairy products have undergone, or been produced from raw milk which has undergone, an appropriate heat treatment, in accordance with Article 4 of EUR 2010/605.

You will need to provide evidence from your producer that the products meet these requirements. This evidence should be uploaded and attached to the CHED import notification on IPAFFS before you submit the CHED so that the Port Health Authorities/Local Authorities can review as part of the documentary check.

Evidence can include an appropriately signed health certificate, relevant to the consignment being imported, where an Official Veterinarian (OV) has certified that the appropriate heat treatment has been applied.

If your animal product import is being held at the border, there may be a number of reasons:

• Current restrictions due to foot and mouth disease in Germany
• The Port Health Authority requires an inspection
• Incorrect, missing or no documentation
• Errors in your CHED import notification or your customs declaration

Your first point of contact for animal product imports held at the border should always be the port health authority at the point of entry. You’ll find full contact details for all PHAs on GOV UK and on this map. You must provide:

• The CHED import notification references (format CHED?.2025.???????) for the consignments being held
• Vehicle registrations and trailer numbers for any trucks or trailers held

It’s also useful to provide the customs declaration MRN number and the Goods Movement Reference if there is one.

The PHA will be able to tell you why the goods are being held and what action you need to take to resolve the hold.

As a result of the recent confirmed case of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Germany, from 15 January 2025 individuals cannot bring any products of FMD susceptible species (for example: sheep, pigs, cows) from Germany into Great Britain for personal consumption.

This includes fresh meat, meat products, milk, dairy products, colostrum, colostrum products and certain composite products and animal by products of ungulates. These products pose a risk to animal health in Great Britain.

Exemptions from these rules include infant milk, medical foods and certain low risk composite products (including chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, biscuits, pasta and food supplements containing less than 20% animal products).

Imports of animal products: for urgent questions about imports of animal products, including germinal products, contact the Port Health Authority or Local Authority at the Border Control Post (BCP) for the goods’ point of entry. Find the BCP and the PHA/LA contact information on this map or list.

Imports of live animals: for urgent questions about imports of live animals, contact APHA.

Useful links

Press notice on gov.uk

Topical Issues – Guidance for imports on gov.uk

Preliminary outbreak assessment

Guidance for imports of non-harmonised Animal by-products

Guidance for imports of Research & diagnostic samples (ABP)