Statutory guidance

Import of blood products that could be used as feed material - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/4B

Published 2 December 2024

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 products that could be used as feed material. 

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 products not intended for human consumption that could be used as feed material must only be derived from Category 3 materials referred to in Article 10 (a) and 10(b)(i) of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009. 

3. Production standards 

The blood products that could be used as feed material must have been produced and stored in accordance with the requirements of Annex X, Chapter II, Section 2 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011. 

The blood product must have been submitted to the appropriate processing method as set out in Annex X, Chapter II, Section 2, point B 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 document for blood products for:

• non-EU countries
• EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries 

Blood products from ungulates

Blood products from ungulates must come from countries or parts of countries listed in the document for fresh meat of ungulates from which imports of all categories of fresh meat of the respective species are authorised. 

Blood products from other species

Blood products from other species must come from countries listed in the document for fresh meat of ungulates. 

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:

• the EU to GB

• non-EU countries to GB 

7. Labelling requirements 

The new sterilised bags or containers must bear labels indicating 

“NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION – ABP Category X”. 

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