FOOT AND MOUTH (FMD) DISEASE OUTBREAK GERMANY – GB IMPORT CONTROLS
Following DEFRA advice, the Authority is increasing its surveillance efforts on imports arriving into GB via the Hull and Killingholme Border Control Posts, regardless of risk category.
The import of cattle, pigs and sheep and their products from Germany to Great Britain (GB) have now been banned to protect farmers and their livelihoods. GB health certificates will no longer be issued for animals susceptible to FMD including all live animals and fresh meat and animal products.
Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) has suspended the import of the following commodities to Great Britain from Germany:
These restrictions are set out in the relevant lists published here: EU and EFTA countries approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain.
Technical information on importing German processed meat and dairy products (including composites)
Imports of meat products derived from FMD-susceptible animals subject to at least heat treatment D1 or above (heat treatments D, C and B) are still permitted. Treatment D1 requires that products are subject to ‘heating so that an internal temperature of 70 °C or greater is maintained for a minimum of 30 minutes. This has been actioned through the application of treatment D1 in columns 3, 4, 5, 10 and 11 in the meat products third country listing.
Imports of milk and milk products under column C of Germany’s entry in the milk and milk products third country listing are still permitted. Column C lists those countries authorised for the importation of dairy products derived from raw milk of cows, ewes, goats or buffaloes, or, where specifically authorised, from camels of the species Camelus dromedarius at risk of foot-and-mouth disease provided that the dairy products have undergone, or been produced from raw milk which has undergone, an appropriate heat treatment, in accordance with Article 4 of EUR 2010/605.
Canned Petfood
A statement from the manufacturer will be required to demonstrate compliance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 – Annex XIII, Chapter II, 3 (a).
Processed petfood other than canned petfood
A statement from the manufacturer is required to demonstrate that processed petfood other than canned petfood has been subjected to a heat treatment of at least 90 °C throughout the substance of the final product or of the ingredients of animal origin. Alternatively, if processed petfood contains milk and milk-based products that don’t fulfil the above requirements, additional assurance for heat treatment of milk/milk-based products must be provided.
This is in accordance with the requirements of Assimilated Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 – Annex XIII, Chapter II, 3. (b) i,ii,iii and v.
If the processing method falls under 3 (b) (iv) of Ch II, Annex XIII to Regulation 142/2011, ‘subject to a treatment such as drying or fermentation’, that petfood is prohibited.
Dog chews
Dog chews made from hides and skins or from bones of FMD-susceptible animals are prohibited.
Other dog chews continue to be permitted if they comply with the treatment requirements in certificate GBHC563.
You will need to provide evidence from your producer that the goods meet these requirements. This evidence should be uploaded and attached to the CHED import notification on IPAFFS along with an ingredients list so that the Authority can review the information as part of the documentary check. Failure to provide the necessary supporting documents may result in a delay with the clearance of your consignment.
Evidence can include an appropriately signed health certificate, or dated attestation relevant to the consignment being imported, which specifies that the appropriate heat treatment has been applied. This evidence should be uploaded and attached to the CHED import notification on IPAFFS along with an ingredients list so that the Authority can review the information as part of the documentary check. Failure to provide the necessary supporting documents may result in a delay with the clearance of your consignment.
What to do if your import is held at the border
Your goods may be detained at the border for a number of reasons:
Your first point of contact for the Authority should be via the following e mail address: ov@hullandgoolepha.gov.uk
You should include the following information:
It’s also useful to provide the customs declaration MRN number and the Goods Movement Reference if there is one.
The PHA will be able to tell you why the goods are being held and what action you need to take to resolve the hold. Please note that we can only answer queries in relation to imports into GB via Hull and Killingholme.
All import control checks are chargeable. The PHA will apply a per hour fee (min £55.00) to notifications raised in IPAFFS where further information is sought to facilitate clearance. You can find further information on our charges here: Our Charges
What about mixed/groupage loads?
Where a vehicle or a trailer has been detained at the BCP because it contains German origin animal origin products subject to Foot and Mouth restrictions and otherwise compliant animal origin products, it is permitted to split the load and sometimes the consignment and release the compliant consignments in certain circumstances. These circumstances include:
Where fresh meat consignments are wrapped and packaged in such a way as to minimise the likelihood of cross contamination. For example, where the POAO is sealed and in end consumer packaging or when boxed and there is no evidence of cross contamination between the boxes.
Where the frozen consignments are well packaged in boxes and the meat within is not in direct contact with the German origin POAO.
Splitting of the consignment is not possible where the POAO subject to Foot and Mouth restrictions is in direct contact or close non barrier contact with the non-impacted consignment, Or, where splitting the consignments would result in direct contact or the potential for direct or very close non barrier contact. For example, where there are hanging carcasses within a vehicle trailer of mixed origin all the carcasses in the consignments (and all consignments in the load) would be detained.