Guidance

Import of horn and horn products and hooves and hoof products for the production of organic fertilisers or soil improvers - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/18

Published 2 December 2024

1. General information 

This Import Information Note (IIN) must be read in conjunction with the IIN for general information for imports of animal by-products (ABPs), which provides information on pre-notifications, veterinary checks, risk categories and more.

References to European Union (EU) legislation within this document are references to direct EU legislation which has been assimilated in Great Britain (assimilated direct legislation), as defined in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 and can be viewed on the UK legislation website. 

2. Scope 

Import conditions for horn and horn products (excluding horn meal) and hooves and hoof products (excluding hoof meal) for the production of organic fertilisers or soil improvers. 

The horns and horn products (excluding horn meal) and hooves and hoof products (excluding hoof meal) for the production of organic fertilisers or soil improvers must only be derived from Category 3 materials referred to in Article 10(b), 10(h) and 10(n) of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009. 

3. Production standards 

The products must have been produced and stored in accordance with the requirements of Annex XIV, Chapter II, Section 12 and Annex XIII, Chapter XII of Regulation (EU) 142/2011. These include, but are not limited to:

• the products must have undergone a heat treatment for one hour at a core temperature of at least 80°C
• the horns must be removed without opening the cranial cavity

4. Country of origin 

Imports are permitted from any country. 

5. Approved establishments 

Products must be produced in an establishment approved to export to Great Britain (GB). Importers should check prior to importation that the premises are listed on the correct list.  

Find consolidated lists of approved plants (excluding the EU)

Find approved EU ABP establishments

If the establishment or plant is not listed, importers are urged to contact the company concerned, who should contact their competent authority immediately. If the plant is not included on the appropriate list when veterinary checks are carried out the consignment is likely to be held and could be rejected and re-exported or destroyed. 

6. Health certification  

Imports to GB must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate based on the GB model health certificate. 

Model health certificates for hides, horns and trophies

This requirement applies to products in the high and medium risk categories. Find information about import risk categories, inspection rates and related rules for animals and animal products imported from:

• the EU to GB
• non-EU countries to GB

7. Transport requirements 

Following the veterinary checks provided for in Regulation (EU) 2019/1715, and in accordance with the conditions laid down in Regulation (EU) 2019/1666, the ABPs must be transported directly from the BCP under Customs procedures to either an approved or registered establishment or plant. 

8. Contact for further information

For more information about import requirements, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) imports team:

Centre for International Trade - Carlisle
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DX

Email: imports@apha.gov.uk 

Telephone: 03000 200 301