Guidance

Import of animal by-products to be used for purposes outside the feed chain - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/8A

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 ABPs to be used for purposes outside the feed chain. 

The ABPs must only be derived from Category 3 materials referred to in Article 10 (a) to (m) of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009.

In the case of fur for the manufacture of derived products, the ABPs must only be derived from Category 3 material referred to in Article 10(n) of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009. 

3. Production standards 

ABPs to be used for purposes outside the feed chain must have been produced and stored in accordance with the requirements of Annex XIV, Chapter II, Section 8 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011.

The ABPs must be deep frozen at the plant of origin or have been preserved in accordance with GB regulations in such a way to prevent spoiling between dispatch and delivery to the establishment or plant of destination. 

4. Country of origin 

Imports are permitted from trading partners listed in the documents for:

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

ABPs for manufacturing pharmaceuticals

ABPs for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals are permitted from countries listed in any of the following documents:

• fresh meat of ungulates
• poultry and poultry products
• meat of wild leporidae, of certain wild land mammals and of farmed rabbits

Imports are also permitted from Japan, Philippines and Taiwan.

ABPs for manufacturing products other than pharmaceuticals

ABPs for the manufacture of products to be used outside the feed chain for farmed animals (other than pharmaceuticals) are permitted from countries listed in any of the following documents:

• fresh meat of ungulates (only if imports of fresh meat of the respective species is authorised)
• poultry and poultry products
• meat of wild leporidae, of certain wild land mammals and of farmed rabbits
• other fishery products (for material from fish)

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 other animal by-products

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. Labelling requirements 

The ABPs must be in containers sealed under the responsibility of the competent authority, bearing the label indicating “ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS ONLY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF DERIVED PRODUCTS FOR USES OUTSIDE THE FEED CHAIN” and the name and address of the GB establishment of destination. 

8. Monitoring of the products to an approved premises 

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:

• a registered establishment or plant of destination, which has provided a guarantee that the ABPs shall be used only for the purpose of producing the products for which it has been registered or approved, as applicable, as specified by the competent authority if necessary, and shall not leave the plant untreated other than for direct disposal
  
  
• an establishment or plant which has been approved in accordance with Article 24(1)(h) of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009
  
  
• a registered user or collection centre, which has provided a guarantee that the ABPs shall be used only for permitted purposes, as specified by the competent authority if necessary
  
  
• an establishment or plant which has been approved in accordance with Article 24(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009

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