Fresh meat intended for human consumption, excluding mechanically separated meat, of domestic bovine animals to the European Union and Northern Ireland: certificate 8368

Apply online for an export health certificate (EHC) to export fresh meat, such as beef, from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to the EU or move it to Northern Ireland.

Apply for an export health certificate online

If you’re in England, Scotland or Wales, you must apply for an export health certificate (EHC) using the online service to export fresh meat to the EU or to move it to Northern Ireland.

If you’re in Northern Ireland, you do not need an EHC to export to the EU. Contact DAERA on 02877 442 060 to find out what you need to do.

1. Check what you need for your export

Find out about the requirements for export in the specimen certificate and guidance notes.

2. Apply online

You’ll need:

  • a Government Gateway account
  • a Defra account

If you don’t already have them you’ll need to register for these accounts, and so will your official vet or inspector.

Start now

Registration takes around 5 minutes. Official vets and inspectors will also need to have their registration checked by APHA.

Register and sign in as an official vet or inspector.

Read the accessibility statement for this service.

Applying online means you can:

  • see the status of your applications
  • always use the latest version of the EHC
  • copy existing applications
  • apply for blocks of certificates

Find out more

Stay up to date with any changes to EHCs by signing up for email alerts.

Find out about getting an EHC.

Find out about exporting live animals and animal products from 1 January 2021.

Help with your application

In England, Scotland and Wales, call APHA on 03000 200 301.

In Northern Ireland, call DAERA on 02877 442 060.

Find out about call charges.

Published 30 June 2021
Last updated 25 January 2024 + show all updates
  1. Updated NFG

  2. Updated NFG

  3. Guidance notes updated - Farm Assurance Scheme paragraph updated as per briefing note 45/22. For non-assured farms, time to use “other form of declaration and FCI” has been extended to 13 Dec 2023.

  4. Guidance notes updated.

  5. Specimen certificate updated.

  6. Guidance notes updated.

  7. Updated guidance notes

  8. Specimen certificate and guidance notes updated.

  9. Updated guidance notes

  10. Updated guidance notes

  11. Guidance notes updated

  12. Guidance notes updated

  13. Updated guidance notes and specimen certificate

  14. Update to guidance notes

  15. Export Health Certificate (EHC) is now available in the EHC Online service.

  16. First published.