Guidance

Contact APHA

How to contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

From:
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Published
4 May 2022
Last updated
27 September 2024 — See all updates

Pet travel scheme and quarantine (GB)

Find out how to bring your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain.

Pet Travel helpline
pettravel@apha.gov.uk
Telephone: 03000 200 301
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm (closed on bank holidays)

Check the rules on pet travel into Northern Ireland.

Animal disease

If you think an animal might have a notifiable disease:

England

In England, call the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301 and choose the relevant options for APHA.

Wales

In Wales, telephone 0300 303 8268. There is an option for callers to hear the telephone message in Welsh. We will try to connect you to a Welsh-speaking person

Scotland

In Scotland, contact your local Field Services office

Post-mortems

Great Britain: contact your local Post-mortem Examination Centre

Bovine tuberculosis (TB)

England

In England, telephone 03000 200 301 or email TB.Advice@apha.gov.uk

If emailing, please include:

  • your telephone number
  • your business name and address
  • County Parish Holding Number AKA CPH (if you have one)
  • the type of enquiry you want to make in the subject (like testing or restrictions)

Wales

In Wales, telephone 0300 303 8268 or email apha.cymruwales@apha.gov.uk

Scotland

In Scotland, contact your local Field Services office

Post-mortems

Great Britain: contact your local Post-mortem Examination Centre

Animal health and welfare

The helplines are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm. There is an out of hours facility on the same number for reporting suspicion of notifiable diseases in animals or urgent animal welfare issues.

England

For welfare reports, email customeradvice@apha.gov.uk

Please include:

  • your telephone number if comfortable with sharing
  • your name and address if comfortable with sharing
  • WhatThreeWords or Map Reference of the incident
  • the type of enquiry you want to make in the subject (like Welfare Report)

Alternatively, call the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301 and choose the relevant options for APHA.

Wales

apha.cymruwales@apha.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 303 8268

There’s an option for callers to hear the telephone message in Welsh. We will try to connect you to a Welsh-speaking person.

You can send correspondence in English or Welsh to:

Gwasanaeth Maes Cymru/Wales Field Services
Swyddfeydd Penrallt Offices
Caernarfon
Gwynedd
LL55 1BN

Scotland

In Scotland, contact your local Field Services office

Artificial breeding controls

Great Britain: telephone 03000 200 301 or email farmandgermcarlisle@apha.gov.uk

Animal feed controls

England: telephone 03000 200 301 or email CSCOneHealthAFC@apha.gov.uk

Wales: telephone 0300 303 8268 or email apha.cymruwales@apha.gov.uk

Scotland: contact your local Field Services office

Poultry Health Scheme

England: telephone 03000 200 301 or email CSCOneHealthPHS@apha.gov.uk

Wales: telephone 0300 303 8268 or email apha.cymruwales@apha.gov.uk

Scotland: contact your local Field Services office

Laboratory services

See guidance on laboratory services and prices

Animal imports

Great Britain: telephone 03000 200 301

For advice on import requirements and authorisations for live animals or animal products, email: imports@apha.gov.uk

For imports risk management, email: importsriskmanagement@apha.gov.uk

You can find more details on how to import live animals and germinal products from the EU to Great Britain.

You can also find further information on rules to follow if you’re transiting animals and animal products through Great Britain.

Animal exports

Exports of animals and animal byproducts

Great Britain: telephone: 03000 200 301

Email addresses

Exports of cattle, pigs, sheep and goats: Livestockexports@apha.gov.uk

Export of horses and ponies: EquineExportsCarlisle@apha.gov.uk

Export of semen, ova and embryos of all animal species: farmandgermcarlisle@apha.gov.uk

Exports of pet animals (cats, dogs, ferrets and all other small pet animals): petexports@apha.gov.uk

Export of meat products, meat preparations, dairy products, pet food, hides and skins, wool, pharmaceutical products and other miscellaneous animal products: exports@apha.gov.uk

Support for Product of Animal Origin export application forms: processingteam@apha.gov.uk

Export of fish and fishery products: exports@apha.gov.uk

Exports of poultry and hatching eggs, birds, zoo and circus animals and all other live animals not covered by other teams: LiveAnimalExports.Carlisle@apha.gov.uk

Welfare in transport: WIT@apha.gov.uk

Artificial breeding controls: farmandgermcarlisle@apha.gov.uk

Animal registration and licences, including byproducts

Animal byproducts (site approval and registration)

England: telephone 03000 200 301 or email CSCOneHealthABP@apha.gov.uk

Wales: telephone 0300 303 8268 or email apha.cymruwales@apha.gov.uk

Scotland: contact your local Field Services office

Animal gatherings and shows (including birds) licensing

In England: telephone 03000 200 301

For animal gatherings, email: CSCOneHealthAGO@apha.gov.uk

For bird gatherings only, email customeradvice@apha.gov.uk

Please include the following information in your email:

  • date or dates of the gathering
  • location of gathering (address and postcode)
  • types and numbers of birds expected
  • purpose of the gathering - such as show, sale, racing
  • your name, address and contact number, and an email address and mobile number if you have them

Wales: telephone 0300 303 8268 or email apha.cymruwales@apha.gov.uk

Scotland: contact your local Field Services office

Animal movement licensing (non-TB)

England: telephone 03000 200 301 or email CSCOneHealthAGO@apha.gov.uk

Wales: telephone: 0300 303 8268 or email apha.cymruwales@apha.gov.uk

Scotland: contact your local Field Services office

Egg marketing

England and Wales: telephone 03000 200 301 or email CSCOneHealthEggMarketing@apha.gov.uk

Scotland: contact your local Field Services office

Ferret and other mustelinae registration

England and Wales: Please contact the Customer Registrations team on 03000 200 301 or email Ferret.Registration@apha.gov.uk or use the registration form

Scotland: use the Scottish Government’s Ferret Register.

Livestock registration (including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, poultry and captive birds)

England: telephone 03000 200 301 or email Customer.Registration@apha.gov.uk

Wales: telephone 0300 303 8268 or email apha.cymruwales@apha.gov.uk

Scotland: contact your local Field Services office

Wild bird registration

England: telephone 03000 200 301 or email wildlife.licensing@apha.gov.uk

Wales: telephone 0300 303 8268 or email apha.cymruwales@apha.gov.uk

Scotland: contact your local Field Services office

Compulsory Scrapie Flocks Scheme

England: telephone 03000 200 301 or email CSCOneHealthAlerts@apha.gov.uk

Wales: telephone 0300 303 8268 or email apha.cymruwales@apha.gov.uk

Scotland: contact your local Field Services office

Bee health and welfare

In England and Wales, email nbu@apha.gov.uk or call the National Bee Unit Helpline on 0300 303 0094. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm.

In Scotland, see the National Bee Unit website.

For out of hours, contact the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301 or see the National Bee Unit website for contact details of bee inspectors.

Plant and seed imports

In England and Wales: telephone 0300 1000 313 or email phsi-importers@apha.gov.uk

If emailing, please include:

  • any relevant reference numbers (PEACH/CHEDPP, tracking or airway bill number)
  • your telephone number
  • your business name and address (including full postcode)
  • the nature of your business
  • the type of enquiry you want to make in the subject line
  • details regarding the commodity you are interested in, importing, where from, how and for what purpose

In Scotland: visit the SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture) website.

Plant and seed exports

In England and Wales: telephone 0300 1000 313 or email one of the following:

When emailing, please include:

  • any relevant reference numbers – Plant Health Export Service (PHES) or sample ID
  • your telephone number
  • your business name and address (including full postcode)
  • the nature of your business
  • the type of enquiry you want to make in the subject line
  • details regarding the commodity you are interested in, exporting, where to, how and for what purpose

Most mailboxes are monitored Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. If you have an urgent plant and seed export query outside these hours, please call as we offer telephone cover from 8am to 7pm every day.

In Scotland: visit the SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture) website.

UK plant passports

In England and Wales: telephone 0300 1000 313 or email PlantPassportRegistration@apha.gov.uk

When emailing, please include:

  • any relevant reference numbers
  • your telephone number
  • your business name and address (including full postcode)
  • the nature of your business
  • the type of enquiry you want to make in the subject line

Advice on UK plant passports is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

In Scotland: visit the SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture) website.

Authorisations for plant pests, pathogens, plants, and soil

In England and Wales: telephone 0300 1000 313 or email planthealthlicence@apha.gov.uk

When emailing, please include:

  • any relevant reference numbers
  • your telephone number
  • your business name and address (including full postcode)
  • the nature of your business or research
  • the type of enquiry you want to make in the subject line

Advice on authorisations for plant pests, pathogens, plants, and soil is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

In Scotland: visit the SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture) website.

Plant and tree pests and diseases    

Some plant pests and diseases are classified by law as ‘quarantine’ pests and diseases. These are ‘notifiable’, which means that if you suspect you’ve found a quarantine plant pest or disease, you must report it to the relevant authority. Read more about quarantine plant pests and diseases.

To report a quarantine plant pest or disease in England or Wales, telephone 0300 1000 313 or email planthealth.info@apha.gov.uk. This includes quarantine pests and diseases affecting agricultural crops.   

When emailing or calling, please include or have ready the following information:

  • your full name and address, including postcode
  • your telephone number and the times we can contact you
  • the name of the suspected plant pest or disease, if you know it
  • the type of plant that’s affected
  • the plant’s location – for example: nursery, woodland, private garden, commercial premises
  • whether the plant has been recently planted or moved
  • whether other plants in the location have been affected
  • if the report relates to an insect, whether it is dead or alive – and, if alive, whether you’ve captured it
  • any relevant photographs

To report a tree pest or disease in England, Scotland or Wales, use the Tree Alert service.  

To report a plant pest or disease in Scotland, contact SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture) at hort.marketing@gov.scot.

If a pest or disease is affecting an agricultural crop in Scotland, contact the local Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID) area office.

To report a plant or tree pest or disease in Northern Ireland, contact the DAERA Plant Health Inspection Branch. Telephone 0300 200 7847 or email planthealth@daera-ni.gov.uk.

Technical difficulties using plant health systems

In England and Wales: for technical difficulties using IPAFFS or PHES, or difficulties accessing Government Gateway to use these systems, telephone 03300 416 999 or email APHAServiceDesk@apha.gov.uk.

If emailing, please include:

  • any relevant reference numbers
  • your telephone number
  • your business name and address (including full postcode)

The team cannot advise on which system you need to use or how. They can only assist with technical difficulties and errors. For all other advice, please contact one of the other plant health contacts provided on this page.

Other plant health queries

If you have a plant health query that is not covered by the subject areas above, telephone 0300 1000 313 or email planthealth.info@apha.gov.uk.

If emailing, please include:

  • any relevant reference numbers
  • your telephone number
  • your business name and address (including full postcode)
  • the nature of your business
  • the type of enquiry you want to make in the subject line (for example: imports, exports, BCP)

In Scotland: visit the SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture) website.

Plant and seed registration and certification

Plant breeders’ rights and National Listing

For general queries relating to UK plant breeders’ rights and UK (GB and NI) national listing, email pvs.helpdesk@apha.gov.uk

For queries relating to adding a plant variety to the UK’s (GB and NI) national lists or getting a UK plant breeders rights for a variety, contact the Plant Variety and Seeds team by email: pvs.helpdesk@apha.gov.uk

If you have questions about a National List application or award, you can find specific contacts for the different plant species on the UK National List page.

If you have questions about a Plant Breeders Rights application or grant, you can find the specific contacts for the different plant species on the plant breeders’ rights page.

Seed certification and marketing

For queries relating to getting seeds certified or getting a licence to market seeds, email seed.cert@apha.gov.uk

Endangered plant and animal species (CITES)

For queries about importing or exporting endangered animal and plant species listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), telephone: 0117 372 3700 or email wildlife.licensing@apha.gov.uk.

Find out more about how to apply to import, export or re-export endangered animal and plant species.

Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS) registration

For queries about registering for the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme, email NIRetailMovementEnquiries@apha.gov.uk

Scotland: APHA Field Services

Ayr

APHA.Scotland@apha.gov.uk
Telephone: 03000 600703
Fax: 01292 291 351

APHA Field Services
Russell House
King Street
Ayr
KA8 0BE

Galashiels

APHA.Scotland@apha.gov.uk
Telephone: 03000 600711
Fax: 01896 756 803

APHA Field Services
Cotgreen Road
Tweedbank
Galashiels
TD1 3SG

Inverness

APHA.Scotland@apha.gov.uk
Telephone: 03000 600709
Fax: 01463 711 495

APHA Field Services
Longman House
28 Longman Road
Longman East
Inverness
IV1 1SF

Inverurie

APHA.Scotland@apha.gov.uk
Telephone: 03000 600708
Fax: 01467 626 611

APHA Field Services
Thainstone Court
Inverurie
Aberdeenshire
AB51 5YA

Perth

APHA.Scotland@apha.gov.uk
Telephone: 03000 600704
Fax: 01738 602 240

APHA Field Services
Strathearn House
Broxden Business Park
Lamberkine Drive
Perth
PH1 1RX

Veterinary services

Veterinary Investigation Centres

If you are a vet and need to contact your nearest Veterinary Investigation Centre, visit the APHA Vet Gateway.

Veterinary Delivery Partners

If you are looking for a Veterinary Delivery Partner to carry out TB testing, use the VDP County and Parish number search tool.

To find a Veterinary Delivery Partner’s contact details, visit the TB Hub website.

Other enquiries

APHA Scientific

For queries relating to APHA’s commercial products and services:

aphascientific@apha.gov.uk
Telephone: 03000 600001
Website

Disinfectant approvals

Great Britain: telephone 0208 026 9609 or email disinfectant@apha.gov.uk

GM inspections

For investigations and inspections into genetically modified releases into the environment in Great Britain, including seeds, fish and animals but excluding food, telephone 0208 026 2466 or email: gm-inspec@apha.gov.uk

Intelligence Unit

To report any non-compliance relating to animal health and welfare, plants and bee controls, including disease risk, email intelunit@apha.gov.uk

Please include:

  • as much information as you can about the non-compliance that you are reporting (for example, what is the issue, where did it occur, who was involved, when did it happen?)
  • the type of non-compliance you are reporting in the subject line (for example, imports, exports, welfare)

General customer advice

If you are unable to find the service/office you are looking for or if you have a more general enquiry, email: customeradvice@apha.gov.uk.

Please include your name, full address and telephone number so we can ensure your enquiry is routed to the correct area expert.

Complaints

See guidance on our complaints procedure.

Call charges

Find out about call charges

Updates to this page

Published 4 May 2022
Last updated 27 September 2024 + show all updates

  1. Updated the Pet Travel helpline number to 03000 200 301.

  2. Updated the phone number for ferret and other mustelinae registration.

  3. Contact details for livestock registration updated to include poultry and captive birds. Previous contact details for poultry registration removed as they are now out of date.

  4. Updated information on reporting a plant pest or disease. Removed references to the PEACH and eDomero systems, which have been replaced by the import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS) and Plant Health Export Service (PHES) respectively.

  5. Updated the email address for contacting the Compulsory Scrapie Flocks Scheme.

  6. Added a link to Veterinary Delivery Partner contact details on the TB Hub website.

  7. Added a section about registration queries for the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS).

  8. Updated the email address for contacting the Plant Variety and Seeds team.

  9. Added contact information for 'Authorisations for plant pests, pathogens, plants, and soil'.

  10. Egg marketing contact details for Wales have changed. Telephone 03000 200 301 or email CSCOneHealthEggMarketing@apha.gov.uk

  11. Added translation

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