Clarifying information: imports of live animals - IIN GEN/5
Updated 2 May 2025
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2025
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clarifying-information-imports-of-live-animals-iin-gen5/clarifying-information-imports-of-live-animals-iin-gen5
Introduction
This Import Information Note (IIN) sets out clarifications relating to the certification of live animals and germinal products. It should be read in conjunction with the general import information note for live animals (GEN/1) as well as any specific import information note for the particular animal or health certificate.
This note does not set out general import requirements for animals imported into Great Britain (GB). The purpose of the note is to provide clarification on specific issues raised by trading partners in relation to the completion of health certificates. The contents of the note will be updated over time, and changes highlighted.
The responsibility to obtain a GB health certificate is that of the exporter in the country of dispatch of the goods. Certification is the responsibility of a certifying officer in that country.
Clarifications
GBHC620 Domestic bovine animals for breeding or production
GBHC620 Domestic bovine animals for breeding or production (PDF, 204 KB, 11 pages).
AH/E602 Establishment requirements (specific requirements)
This attestation can be crossed out as it does not apply to imports to GB.
GBHC630 OVI-X Domestic sheep or goats for breeding or production
GBHC630 OVI-X Domestic sheep or goats for breeding or production (PDF, 183 KB)
AH/A708 Animal requirements
This attestation is related to the brucellosis status of the country of origin and the herd of origin. Options (c), (d), (e) and (f) are sub options of option (b). If option (a) is deleted, EITHER options (c) and (d) OR (e) and (f) must be completed. The last line of the notes for completion for this attestation refers to options (d) and (f). This is an error, and it should instead refer to (e) and (f). Paragraph (g) must be certified if either option (a) or (b) is chosen.
Clarification – countries that are not officially brucellosis free (option (b)) must choose one of the following testing options, either (c) and (d) OR (e) and (f).
In all cases, brucellosis testing must be in accordance with Part 6 of Annex 1 to Regulation No 206/2010. Where more than one holding of origin is involved, the date of the most recent test on each holding must be clearly indicated.
GBHC650 EQU-TEMP: Temporary admission registered horse from non-EU countries
GBHC650 EQU-TEMP: Temporary admission registered horse from non-EU countries.
GBHC651 EQU-T: Equidae transit from non-EU countries
GBHC651 EQU-T: Equidae transit from non-EU countries (PDF, 216 KB, 14 pages).
GBHC 655 EQU-X: Permanent import equidae from non-EU countries
GBHC 655 EQU-X: Permanent import equidae from non-EU countries (PDF, 230 KB, 15 pages).
AH/E018 Establishment requirements
AH/E018 notes for completion advise that “Clauses (d), (f) and (g) relating to Equine Infectious Anaemia, Rabies, and Anthrax have the option to be deleted, where no cases of the aforementioned diseases have occurred in a certain amount of time”.
Clarification – the “certain amount of time” referred to is that which is stated for each disease in the clauses relating to those diseases.
GBHC 652 EQU-R-30: Re-entry after temporary export of not more than 30 days from non-EU countries
GBHC 652 EQU-R-30: Re-entry after temporary export of not more than 30 days from non-EU countries (PDF, 192 KB, 8 pages).
GBHC653 EQU-R-FEI: Re-entry registered horse from FEI organised events in non-EU countries
GBHC653 EQU-R-FEI: Re-entry registered horse from FEI organised events in non-EU countries (PDF, 162 KB, 9 pages).
GBHC654 EQU-R-COMP: Re-entry registered horse from specified events in non-EU countries
GBHC654 EQU-R-COMP: Re-entry registered horse from specified events in non-EU countries (PDF, 156 KB, 8 pages).
GBHC 656 EQU-Y: Equidae for slaughter from non-EU countries
GBHC 656 EQU-Y: Equidae for slaughter from non-EU countries (PDF, 195 KB, 12 pages).
AH/E018 Establishment requirements
AH/E018 is missing an option to certify that the animals have come from holdings where no cases of Equine Infectious Anaemia (point (d)), Rabies (point (f)) or Anthrax (point (g)) have occurred in a certain amount of time.
Clarification – this should be included and will be added at the next opportunity. In the meantime, this option can be certified by striking through or deleting the options which are not applicable. The “certain amount of time” referred to is that which is stated for each disease in the clauses relating to those diseases.
GBGHC662 EQU-UNR: Temporary or permanent admission of an unregistered equine from the EU
GBGHC662 EQU-UNR: Temporary or permanent admission of an unregistered equine from the EU (PDF, 182 KB, 11 pages).
AH/A265 Animal requirements
AH/A265 (f) (iii) text relates to a temporary import and is therefore not applicable for this health certificate for a permanent import.
Clarification – this point can be deleted.
AH/E018 Establishment requirements
AH/E018 is missing an option to certify that the animals have come from holdings where no cases of Equine Infectious anaemia (point (d)), Rabies (point (f)) or Anthrax (point (g)) have occurred in a certain amount of time.
Clarification – this should be included and will be added at the next opportunity in the meantime this option can be certified by striking through or deleting the options which are not applicable. The “certain amount of time” referred to is that which is stated for each disease in the clauses relating to those diseases.
GBHC670 AOO: Aquaculture and open ornamental
GBHC670 AOO: Aquaculture and open ornamental (PDF, 193 KB, 10 pages).
AH/T157B Territory requirements (freedom from disease)
AH/T157B The first paragraph of this attestation contains the line “requirements for vector species susceptible to”.
Clarification – the inclusion of the word ‘susceptible’ is a typographical error in the certificate and is to be ignored when completing the certificate and will be amended at the next opportunity.
GBHC710 RUM Non-domestic ruminants
GBHC710 RUM Non-domestic ruminants (PDF,175 KB)
AH/T127 Territory requirements (freedom from disease)
Sections (c) and (d) of this attestation requires that one of the ‘either’ ‘or’ disease freedom options are used to certify this section. These may be certified based on the list of trading partners approved to export live domestic and wild ungulates to Great Britain listed below:
Clarification – countries with no ‘A’ in column 6 for the list of EU and EFTA trading partners and column 5 for non-EU trading partners “supplementary guarantees”. Can certify option (c) (i) and (d) (i) certifying they are free from BTV/EHD, for attestation AH/T127.
For countries with an ‘A’ in in column 6 for EU and EFTA trading partners and column 5 for non-EU trading partners “supplementary guarantees”, can certify options (c) (ii) and (d) (ii) for those countries which have not had any BTV/EHD cases within the previous 24 months and would need to certify the option available for testing for attestation AH/T127.
Only countries with ‘XIII’ in in column 7 for EU and EFTA trading partners and column 6 for non-EU trading partners “specific conditions”, can certify options (c) (iv) or (v) and options (d) (iv) or (v), certifying they are seasonally free from BTV/EHD, for attestation AH/T127.
GBHC716 RUM-A Animals of the species listed in table 1 to part 1 of annex 6 of Regulation 206/2010
GBHC716 RUM-A Animals of the species listed in Table 1 to Part 1 of Annex 6 of Regulation 206/2010 (PDF, 157KB)
AH/T124 Territory requirements (freedom from disease)
Sections (c) and (d) of this attestation requires that one of the ‘either’ ‘or’ disease freedom options are used to certify this section. These may be certified based on the list of trading partners approved to export live domestic and wild ungulates to Great Britain listed below:
Clarification – countries with no ‘A’ in column 6 for EU and EFTA trading partners and column 5 for non-EU trading partners “supplementary guarantees”. Can certify options (b)(i) and (c)(i), certifying they are free from BTV/EHD, for attestation AH/T124.
For countries with an ‘A’ in in column 6 for EU and EFTA trading partners and column 5 for non-EU trading partners “supplementary guarantees”. They would need to certify one of the options available for vector protected facility/testing, either option (b)(ii) or (iii) and also either option (c)(ii) or (iii), for attestation AH/T124.
Only countries with ‘XIII’ in in column 7 for EU and EFTA trading partners and column 6 for non-EU trading partners “specific conditions”. Can certify options (b) (iv) or (v) and options (c) (iv) or (v), certifying they are seasonally free from BTV/EHD, for attestation for attestation AH/T124.
GBHC722 OTH Other rabies susceptible species (including rodents, lagomorphs, carnivores and other mammals)
GBHC722 OTH Other rabies susceptible species (including rodents, lagomorphs, carnivores and other mammals (PDF, 133 KB)
AH/A615 Animal requirements
In AH/A615, option (b) refers to ‘AHT freedom from disease’ attestation this is incorrect as it refers to attestation AH/T509 which is for territory requirements.
Clarification – The reference to ‘AH/T freedom from disease’ in AH/A615 is an error and should instead refer to ‘AH/T territory requirements’. This attestation and will be amended to reflect the correct wording at the next opportunity.
GBHC800 SEM-BOV-CCM1 Bovine semen (collection centre) Model 1
GBHC800 SEM-BOV-CCM1 Bovine semen (collection centre) Model 1 (PDF, 149 KB).
Part I box I.8
For bovine semen, ovine and caprine semen, ova and embryos certificates, the appropriate ISO code as described in column 1 of the following lists: bovine semen, ovine and caprine semen, bovine embryos, ovine and caprine ova and embryos, should be added to Box I.8 of part I. This provides assurance that the products originate from animals outside of the control zone and to allow for regionalisation for imports of commodities from FMD-susceptible animals.
GBHC801 SEM-BOV-CCM2: Bovine semen (collection centre) Model 2
GBHC801 SEM-BOV-CCM2: Bovine semen (collection centre) Model 2 (PDF, 139 KB).
Part I box I.14 and I.15
‘Identification’ and ‘Documentation references’ included in box I.14 of Part I.
Clarification: The inclusion of these points in I.14 are formatting errors. They should be placed in Box I.15 and will be amended at the next opportunity.
GBHC802 SEM-BOV-SCM3: Bovine semen (storage centre) Model 3
GBHC802 SEM-BOV-SCM3: Bovine semen (storage centre) Model 3 (PDF, 125 KB).
Part I box I.8 and part II animal health attestation opening paragraph
For bovine semen, ovine and caprine semen, ova and embryos certificates, the appropriate ISO code as described in column 1 of the following lists: bovine semen, ovine and caprine semen, bovine embryos, ovine and caprine ova and embryos, should be added to Box I.8 of part I and to the opening paragraph of the animal health attestations. This provides assurance that the products originate from animals outside of the control zone and to allow for regionalisation for imports of commodities from FMD-susceptible animals.
Part 1 box I.14 and I.15
‘Documentation references’ included in box I.14 of Part I.
Clarification: The inclusion of these points in I.14 are formatting errors. They should be placed in box I.15 and will be amended at the next opportunity.
GBHC803 IVV-BOV In vivo bovine embryos
GBHC803 IVV-BOV In vivo bovine embryos (PDF, 169 KB).
Part I box I.8 and part II animal health attestation opening paragraph
For bovine semen, ovine and caprine semen, ova and embryos certificates, the appropriate ISO code as described in column 1 of the following lists: bovine semen, ovine and caprine semen, bovine embryos, ovine and caprine ova and embryos, should be added to Box I.8 of part I and to the opening paragraph of the animal health attestations. This provides assurance that the products originate from animals outside of the control zone and to allow for regionalisation for imports of commodities from FMD-susceptible animals.
GBHC804 IVT-BOV-A In vitro bovine embryos (semen centres complying with 88/407)
GBHC804 IVT-BOV-A In vitro bovine embroyos ( semen centres complying with 88/407_v1.0 (PDF, 170 KB).
Part I box I.8 and part II animal health attestation opening paragraph
For bovine semen, ovine and caprine semen, ova and embryos certificates, the appropriate ISO code as described in column 1 of the following lists: bovine semen, ovine and caprine semen, bovine embryos, ovine and caprine ova and embryos, should be added to Box I.8 of part I and to the opening paragraph of the animal health attestations. This provides assurance that the products originate from animals outside of the control zone and to allow for regionalisation for imports of commodities from FMD-susceptible animals.
GBHC820 SEM-OVC-CC: Ovine and caprine semen (collection centre)
GBHC820 SEM-OVC-CC: Ovine and caprine semen (collection centre) (PDF, 195 KB).
Part I box I.8
For bovine semen, ovine and caprine semen, ova and embryos certificates, the appropriate ISO code as described in column 1 of the following lists: bovine semen, ovine and caprine semen, bovine embryos, ovine and caprine ova and embryos, should be added to Box I.8 of part I. This provides assurance that the products originate from animals outside of the control zone and to allow for regionalisation for imports of commodities from FMD-susceptible animals.
AH/T134A Notes for completion
Clarification – the ‘Notes for completion’ section for AH/T134A is titled AH/T133. The content of the note is correct, and the error is only in the title. This will be amended at the next opportunity.
GBHC821 SEM-OVC-SC Ovine and caprine semen (storage centre)
GBHC821 SEM-OVC-SC Ovine and caprine semen (storage centre) (PDF, 123 KB).
Part I box I.8 and part II animal health attestation opening paragraph
For bovine semen, ovine and caprine semen, ova and embryos certificates, the appropriate ISO code as described in column 1 of the following lists: bovine semen, ovine and caprine semen, bovine embryos, ovine and caprine ova and embryos, should be added to Box I.8 of part I and to the opening paragraph of the animal health attestations. This provides assurance that the products originate from animals outside of the control zone and to allow for regionalisation for imports of commodities from FMD-susceptible animals.
GBHC822 OE-OVC Ovine and caprine ova/embryos
GBHC822 OE-OVC Ovine and caprine ova/embryos (PDF, 197 KB).
Part I box I.8
For bovine semen, ovine and caprine semen, ova and embryos certificates, the appropriate ISO code as described in column 1 of the following lists: bovine semen, ovine and caprine semen, bovine embryos, ovine and caprine ova and embryos, should be added to Box I.8 of part I. This provides assurance that the products originate from animals outside of the control zone and to allow for regionalisation for imports of commodities from FMD-susceptible animals.