Statutory guidance

Import of bovine animals - Import Information Note (IIN) BVTC/2

Published 2 December 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bovines-live-or-germinal-products-import-information-notes/import-of-bovine-animals-import-information-note-iin-bvtc2

1. General information

This Import Information Note (IIN) must be read in conjunction with the IIN for general information for imports of live animals and germplasm, 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 United Kingdom (UK) legislation website.

2. Scope

Import conditions for domestic bovine animals (including bison and water buffalo).

3. 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 bovine animals for:

Imports are permitted from trading partners listed in the documents for live ungulates at the above links, where column 4 of that table provides for model veterinary certificate BOV-X or BOV-Y.

Certain countries may be required to provide supplementary guarantees, depending on the animal health situation in the territories of origin. Please also check the 5th and 6th columns of the above documents, where these supplementary guarantees are listed.

4. Health certification or documentation

Imports to Great Britain (GB) must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate based on the GB model health certificate for bovines.

5. Special import conditions for consignments of live animals transported by air to Great Britain

According to Article 10 of Regulation (EU) 206/2010  where consignments of live animals, excluding consignments of bees, are transported by air, the crate or container in which they are transported, and the surrounding area shall be sprayed with an appropriate insecticide.

That spraying shall be carried out immediately prior to the closing of the aircraft doors after loading, and after any subsequent opening of the doors in any other country, until the aircraft reaches its final destination.

The captain of the aircraft shall certify that the spraying has been carried out by signing a declaration, drawn up in accordance with the declaration model attached in its original form to the veterinary certificate.

6. Post-import requirements

Cattle imported for breeding and production must be taken without delay from the Border Control Post (BCP) to the holding of destination and kept there for at least 30 days unless consigned to a slaughterhouse. Animals intended for immediate slaughter must be conveyed without delay from the BCP to the slaughterhouse where they should be slaughtered as soon as possible but at least within 5 working days.

7. Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man

Existing controls continue to apply, and therefore these movements must be in accordance with the General Licence. Consignments must comply with the conditions in the licence which may require it to be accompanied by a health certificate. 

You must notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) of imports of bovine animals from Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. See the IIN for general information for imports of live animals and germplasm for more information regarding pre-notification.

8. Warble fly

Bovine animals, including water buffalo and bison, of all ages imported into GB must comply with the following requirements:

  • the animals must be treated with an approved warble fly preparation immediately post-import
  • the importer must send a declaration, stating that the cattle have been treated, to the local Animal Health office within 5 working days.

A list of currently licensed products is on the Veterinary Medicines Directorate website.

9. 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

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