Import of blood and blood products from equidae for use outside the feed chain - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/4A
Published 2 December 2024
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1. General information
This Import Information Note (IIN) must be read in conjunction with the IIN for general information for imports of animal by-products (ABPs), which provides information on pre-notifications, veterinary checks, risk categories and more.
References to European Union (EU) legislation within this document are references to direct EU legislation which has been assimilated in Great Britain (assimilated direct legislation), as defined in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 and can be viewed on the UK legislation website.
2. Scope
Import conditions for blood and blood products from equidae for use outside the feed chain.
Blood is defined in Regulation (EU) 142/2011 as meaning fresh whole blood.
Blood products are defined in Regulation (EU) 142/2011 as meaning derived products from blood or fractions of blood, excluding blood meal; they include:
- dried, frozen or liquid plasma
- dried whole blood
- dried, frozen or liquid red cells or fractions thereof
- mixtures
Blood and blood products from equidae for use outside the feed chain must only be derived from Category 3 materials referred to in Article 10 (a), (b), (d) and (h) of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009.
3. Production standards
The blood and blood products from equidae must have been collected, produced and stored in accordance with the requirements of Annex XIV, Chapter II, Section 3 and Annex XIII, Chapter IV point 1(a) and point 2 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011.
If applicable the blood products must have been submitted to the appropriate treatment method as set out in Annex XIII, Chapter IV, 2(b)(ii) of Regulation (EU) 142/2011.
4. Country of origin
Imports are permitted from trading partners listed in documents published by the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Scottish and Welsh Ministers. See the documents for equidae for:
Untreated blood and blood products
Untreated blood and blood products must come from countries or parts of countries listed in the document for equidae, from which the importation of equidae for breeding and production is allowed.
Treated blood products
Treated blood products must come from countries listed in the document for fresh meat of ungulates, from which imports of fresh meat of domestic equidae is authorised.
5. Approved establishments
Products must be produced in an establishment approved to export to Great Britain (GB). Importers should check prior to importation that the premises are listed on the correct list.
Find consolidated lists of approved plants (excluding the EU)
Find approved EU ABP establishments
If the establishment or plant is not listed, importers are urged to contact the company concerned, who should contact their competent authority immediately. If the plant or establishment of origin is not included on the appropriate list when veterinary checks are carried out the consignment is likely to be held and could be rejected and re-exported or destroyed.
6. Health certification
Imports to GB must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate based on the GB model health certificate.
Model health certificates for blood products
This requirement applies to products in the high and medium risk categories. Find information about import risk categories, inspection rates and related rules for animals and animal products imported from:
7. Labelling requirements
The blood and blood products must be packed and sealed in accordance with point 3 of chapter IV of annex X111 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011. Impermeable containers must be clearly labelled
“BLOOD AND BLOOD PRODUCTS FROM EQUIDAE. NOT FOR HUMAN OR ANIMAL CONSUMPTION – ABP Category X”
and bear the approval number of the establishment of collection or in the case of blood products the approval number of the production establishment.
8. Contact for further information
For more information about import requirements, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) imports team:
Centre for International Trade - Carlisle
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DX
Email: imports@apha.gov.uk
Telephone: 03000 200 301