'No deal' EU exit advice: further ports will be designated for movement of protected animals and plants
Government issues updated advice on moving internationally protected animals and plants, including types of fish, birds and rosewood, in the event of a ‘no deal’ EU exit.
- Belfast Seaport, Dover, Eurotunnel and Holyhead will be designated to ensure there is sufficient capacity to transport protected animals and plants and their parts or derivatives
- The move will increase the number of designated ports able to process animal and plant specimens
- In the event of a no-deal Brexit, anyone wishing to move protected animal and plant specimens between the UK and the EU will need relevant CITES documents
The UK Government has confirmed that an additional four ports (Belfast Seaport, Dover, Eurotunnel and Holyhead) will be designated to handle movements of protected animals or plants to ensure there is enough capacity to transports CITES products in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, anyone wishing to bring a specimen of a protected species of animal or plant into the UK or export to the EU will require a CITES document. Such documents must be applied for in advance of travel and inspected and endorsed (stamped) by Border Force at a CITES-designated point of entry or exit.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between governments which aims to ensure international trade in specimens of endangered animals and plants does not threaten their survival. CITES agrees varying degrees of protection to species of animals and plants, whether trading or moving live specimens or their parts, from zoo animals to musical instruments to herbal remedies.
The government has published updated guidance which sets out how people who trade in, or travel with, protected animals or plants and their derivatives, will be affected when the UK leaves the EU.
International Environment Minister, Zac Goldsmith said:
CITES plays a key role in protecting endangered species and we will continue to champion its aim after we leave the EU.
While the Government is seeking a deal, we have stepped up our preparations and will be ready to leave the EU on 31 October, whatever the circumstances.
Part of this is designating further ports, including Eurotunnel and Dover, so that people and businesses can still trade and move CITES specimens with minimal disruption.
More Points of Entry and Exit
Protected animal and plant specimens will need a CITES document to be moved between the UK and the EU and will only be able to travel through designated Points of Entry and Exit (PoE). The government will increase the number of PoE which will be designated for CITES specimens to 29.
Custom offices at Eurotunnel, Dover and Holyhead will be designated and special CITES arrangements have been put in place to help minimise any delays should they occur at these particular locations. Belfast Seaport will also be designated to allow CITES movements between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland over the land border and by sea. Businesses and individuals who are looking to use these routes should familiarise themselves with the arrangements and contact the port prior to moving CITES specimens and items between the UK and EU.
A full list of the locations which will be designated as CITES PoE and how to use them, including the two postal routes, can be accessed through GOV.UK. For all movements of CITES specimens from the UK, you will also need to check the specific requirements with the intended country of import or export on the Global CITES website.
Remember a permit
All CITES specimens that are currently freely moved and traded between the UK and the EU will require CITES documents. This means movement of all CITES specimens between the UK and the EU will need to follow the same processes as those currently in place for movement between the UK and non-EU countries. Applications for CITES documents permitting movement of CITES specimens into and out of the UK will be processed by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
For CITES specimens that may also require plant or animal health certification, a CITES document does not replace the need for veterinary or phytosanitary inspection and certification.
Further information
- Defra, and the UK Government as a whole, is committed to protecting nature and biodiversity and will continue to champion the aims of CITES after Brexit.
- The Government will increase the number of CITES points of entry and exit (PoE) for CITES specimens from 10 to 29. The full list of locations which will be designated as CITES PoE and how to use them can be accessed here.
- The species covered by these measures are listed in Annexes A to D of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations which implement CITES. With amendments, these will become UK law (retained EU law) when we leave the EU. The Species+ database includes details of all CITES-listed species.
- Details of how to obtain CITES documents such as a permit or import/export notification in the UK are available on GOV.UK, as are current details of fees for CITES permits.
- CITES permits and notifications must be presented to Border Force for inspection and endorsement.
Updates to this page
Last updated 9 October 2019 + show all updates
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