Guidance

Animal breeding regulation (Zootech): preparing your business

Updated 28 May 2026

Reason for the changes 

The UK government is negotiating an agreement with the EU on the trade and movement of plants, plant products, animals, animal products, feed and food. This is called a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement. 

The agreement means Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and Northern Ireland will apply certain rules in line with the EU. These arrangements will apply whether or not you trade directly with the EU. It is our intention that the agreement will take effect in mid-2027. 

As EU rules change in the future, rules in Great Britain will update too. The UK will contribute to the decision-shaping process on future EU rules that will also apply in Great Britain. 

Read more about the benefits in the UK-EU SPS agreement – information for businesses news story. 

As negotiations are ongoing, not all details are confirmed at this stage. This includes detailed requirements and the exact timing of when arrangements will change. We recognise that some businesses will take longer to comply and we are committed to working with them to ensure a smooth transition. Further information will be provided following the completion of negotiations. 

Why this matters 

This is relevant to all zootech-registered animal breeders across Great Britain, whether or not you import or export pedigree animals or germinal materials. 

We will dynamically align with EU rules on zootech (Regulation (EU) 2016/1012) under the SPS agreement.  

All zootech-registered breed societies and breeding bodies in Great Britain will be covered by this agreement, whether they trade with the EU or only operate within Great Britain. This will ensure the Great Britain and EU zootech regimes remain aligned, avoiding barriers to the movement of pedigree breeding animals and germinal materials between Great Britain and the EU.   

It will also mean that Great Britain breeding bodies will operate under the EU zootechnical regime, whether or not they are involved in imports and exports. 

What this means for the zootech sector

The Great Britain and EU zootech regimes have remained largely aligned since EU Exit and the effect of the SPS agreement is expected to be minimal, and include: 

• small changes to the appearance of zootechnical certificates 
• Great Britain zootech-recognised breeding societies will have the same rights as those established in the EU – for example, to extend breeding programmes into the EU

You do not need to take any action now in relation to zootechnical requirements, though we recommend that you sign up for further information and updates. 

What businesses should know at this stage 

Organisations and businesses, including those operating under the zootech rules, are encouraged to continue engaging with the process to be ready by mid-2027. You can do this by keeping informed through your breed society or competent authority.  

At this stage, you are not expected to make detailed changes. You should consider the changes to requirements and how they could affect your business. The government will provide more detail in summer 2026, including next steps.   

What we know now (and what will be confirmed later) 

As negotiations with the EU are ongoing, not all of the details are confirmed at this stage. This information outlines what is known now to help you start planning, with further detail to follow later this year.   

If you import or export live animals or germinal materials under the zootechnical rules, you are likely to be affected by wider changes arising from the SPS agreement. We recommend that you engage with the wider guidance being issued in relation to the movement of animals and germinal materials.

Businesses will need to align with the EU’s Zootech Regulation, covering trade in purebred breeding animals, hybrid breeding pigs and the germinal products.​ ​There have been no substantive changes between the EU rules and Great Britain’s rules following EU Exit, so changes for businesses are expected to be minimal.  ​​ 

Currently only certain articles of the EU Zootech Regulation apply in respect of Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework. Solutions which will allow Northern Ireland to be fully aligned to Great Britain are being explored.​  

Importing and exporting 

The new SPS agreement is relevant to all businesses and organisations involved in importing and exporting SPS goods between the UK, EU and the rest of the world. 

For trade between Great Britain and the EU, the SPS agreement will reduce the requirements for routine SPS documentation and controls. The requirements for export health certificates, phytosanitary certificates and routine border checks for most agrifood goods will be removed. Alignment with EU rules will mean there will be alignment with the EU’s approach to checks on rest of world SPS trade. Requirements for trade with countries outside the EU will also continue to apply, in line with international rules. 

The agreement is not a customs agreement, and so customs controls will remain. 

Early considerations for your business   

To prepare for the UK-EU SPS agreement, you can now take the following steps: 

• sign up for Defra email alerts and the SPS readiness mailing list to receive the latest updates 
• check whether the SPS agreement is likely to apply to your business, especially if you produce, handle, move or trade animals, animal products, plants, plant products, food or feed – check how to prepare your business 
• review your current supply chains and movements (including domestic movements and movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland) to understand where SPS requirements may apply 
• consider where your business currently follows EU rules and where you may have diverged since EU Exit 
• speak to relevant partners (for example suppliers, customers, hauliers, vets or certification bodies) about potential future changes 
• check with trusted sector organisations or trade bodies for any sector specific advice and updates 

Many businesses will get the most relevant advice on any specific questions through trusted routes, such as vets, agronomists, advisors, processors and trade bodies. 

Exceptions 

The EU has accepted there will need to be areas where the UK will retain its own rules, as set out in the May 2025 Common Understanding. Details of these are subject to the ongoing negotiation.  

The government has been clear about the importance of being able to: 

• set high animal welfare standards 
• support public health 
• support the use of new and innovative technologies 

Further information will be provided following the completion of the negotiations. 

What happens next 

It is our intention that the agreement will take effect in mid-2027. Some detailed requirements and exact timings of when arrangements will change are still being finalised as part of ongoing negotiations.  

Defra will continue to work with the sector to help shape future communications, guidance and support as further detail becomes available. We have set up an SPS Readiness Business Advisory Council, which is now meeting regularly. The council includes major trade associations and businesses.    

The following timeline sets out the expected stages for introducing the SPS agreement and when further information will be published: 

• summer 2026 – further details on upcoming changes announced, including on any exceptions and transition periods
• autumn 2026 – detailed guidance and support, including checklists and practical tools, made available 
• mid-2027 – agreement takes effect (subject to negotiations) 

Further information will be provided following the completion of negotiations. 

Stay informed   

We will continue to publish updates as further detail is confirmed. To keep up to date, you can: 

• sign up for Defra email alerts and the SPS readiness mailing list  
• engage with your trade body or industry association for sector-specific updates, where relevant 

You can also get additional support from other government agencies if you are a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME). Contact:  

• Department for Business and Trade: Ask our export support team at the Department for Business and Trade a question
• Food Standards Agency: Regulated products application guidance