Guidance

Import of porcine semen - Import Information Note (IIN) PSTC/2

Updated 23 April 2025

1. General information 

This Import Information Note (IIN) must be read in conjunction with the IIN for general information for imports of live animals and germplasm, 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 United Kingdom (UK) legislation website. 

2. Scope 

Import conditions for porcine semen into Great Britain (GB).  

3. Country of origin 

Imports of porcine semen are permitted from trading partners listed in documents published by the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Scottish and Welsh Ministers. See the documents for porcine semen for:

• non-EU countries
• EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries

4. Approved collection and production teams 

All semen must be collected in and by centres and teams approved for export to Great Britain, which comply with the conditions for approval and supervision set out in GB legislative requirements. See the:

• list of EU approved establishments
• list of non-EU approved establishments

5. Conditions  

Only porcine semen which meets the requirements of Directive 90/429/EEC may be imported into GB, in that: 

• it must have been collected, processed, stored and transported in accordance with the requirements of chapter I and II of Annex A of the Directive 90/429
  
  
• the semen collection centre has been officially approved by the competent authority of the third country, which is under the supervision of a centre veterinarian 
  
  
• the semen collection centre is subjected to inspections by an official veterinarian of the third country concerned at least twice a year

6. Health certification or documentation  

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

7. Trader requirements 

All dealers who wish to trade in porcine semen from the EU are required, at the request of the competent authority, to register in an official register before any trade begins. Dealers are also required to keep a record of all deliveries, consignments and their destinations. 

8. Northern Ireland

Existing controls continue to apply, and therefore these movements must be in accordance with the General Licence. Consignments must comply with the conditions in the licence which may require it to be accompanied by a health certificate.

Porcine semen from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2007/5) (PDF, 62.5 KB, 2 pages)

You must notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) of imports of porcine genetic material from Northern Ireland. See the IIN for general information for imports of live animals and germplasm for more information regarding pre-notification.

9. 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