The UK’s listed status was confirmed by the EU after it
met the health and biosecurity assurances required for
a third country.
The move recognises the UK’s high biosecurity and
animal health standards and will bring welcome clarity
to our world-leading farmers and food producers. The
decision will also allow the continued movement of
equines between the UK and the EU.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss,
said:
Third country listed status demonstrates our very
high standards of biosecurity and animal health which
we will continue to maintain after the end of the
transition period.
If you or your business imports or exports animal and
animal products, or imports high risk food, then I
urge you to visit our guidance pages on gov.uk for
what you need to do to continue to trade after 31
December.
Businesses will require an Export Health Certificate
for all different product types within a consignment,
which will need to be signed by a certifier such as an
Official Veterinarian.
Guidance for animal importers and exporters including
equine transporters is available on GOV.UK.
The EU has voted to lift a number of plant health
prohibitions and they also voted to grant equivalence
for fruit and vegetable propagating material, which
means these plants and plant products can continue
being exported to the EU and NI. We are expecting a
decision on agricultural species and forest
reproductive material, which is decided via a Council
vote.
The recent positive outcome of the EU vote means it
will be possible to export seed and propagating
material, as well as ware potatoes, to the EU and NI
from 1 January 2021.
- Third country listing is a technical requirement
for imports of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS)
products into the EU. Northern Ireland does not need to
be listed due to the Protocol meaning it is within the
same SPS area as the EU.
- Ware potatoes can continue to be exported to the EU
and NI, but the EU have not accepted our case for a
permanent change to the prohibition on seed potatoes,
so it will not be possible to export seed potatoes to
the EU or NI from 1 January. Defra will continue to
engage with the Commission on this issue.
