Statutory guidance

Import of fresh and frozen bovine embryos - Import Information Note (IIN) BETC/2

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 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 

The importation of fresh and frozen bovine embryos (from domestic bovines) into Great Britain (GB). 

The import of fresh and frozen bovine embryos (from domestic bovines) is permitted provided that the embryos:

• come from an approved country
  
  
• have been conceived as a result of artificial insemination or in vitro fertilisation with semen from a donor sire standing at a semen collection centre approved by the competent authority for the collection, processing and storage of semen
  
  
• meet the requirements of Directive 89/556 and Decision (EC) 2006/168 for the collection, processing and storage of embryos
  
  
• have been collected, processed and stored by an approved embryo collection/production team approved in accordance with Article 8 of Directive 89/556
  
  
• are accompanied by the relevant animal health certificate. 

3. Country of origin  

Imports are permitted from trading partners listed in documents for bovine embryos published by the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Scottish and Welsh Ministers, for:

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

4. Approved collection and production teams 

All embryos must be collected in and by centres and teams approved for export to GB, which comply with the conditions for approval and supervision set out in GB legislative requirements. 

List of EU approved establishments  

5. Health certification 

Imports to GB must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate based on the GB model health certificate for bovine germinal products.

6. Additional requirements for in vitro embryos 

The imports of embryos produced by in vitro fertilisation, using semen from a country listed in Annex 1 of Commission Implementing Decision 2011/630/EU can be permitted if the relevant health certificate for such semen has been completed satisfactorily.  

In accordance with Article 3.2 of Decision (EC) 2006/168, imports of embryos produced by in vitro fertilisation, using semen which does not fully comply with the above, can be permitted only if produced in approved semen collection centres or stored in semen storage centres in third countries which comply with the animal health requirements set out in the relevant health certificate. 

7. Importation of cloned embryos or embryos from the progeny of a cloned animal 

Embryos which are derived by transfer of nuclei (such as a cloned embryo) are not currently permitted to be imported to GB under Decision (EC) 2006/168. 

Only the importation of embryos conceived as a result of artificial insemination or in vitro fertilisation are permitted. 

The health certification which must accompany consignments of all embryos from an approved third country should contain a statement, which the official veterinarian in the exporting country must sign, stating that the embryos were conceived by either artificial insemination (including in vivo fertilisation) or in vitro fertilisation. 

While unable to import cloned embryos, importers may apply for a licence under the Importation of Embryos, Ova and Semen Order 1980 (1980 SI No. 12) as amended by the Importation of Embryos, Ova and Semen (Amendment) Order 1984 (1984 SI No. 1326).  Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis and should be sent to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Centre for International Trade (CIT) imports team.  

8. Embryos from a cloned animal 

Provided that embryos obtained from a cloned animal were conceived by either artificial insemination or in vitro fertilisation and complies with the conditions laid down in Decision (EC) 2006/168 then imports into GB from an approved trading partner can take place. 

9. Embryos from progeny of a cloned animal 

Provided that embryos from the progeny of a cloned animal were conceived by either artificial insemination or in vitro fertilisation and complies with the conditions laid down in Decision (EC) 2006/168 then imports into GB from an approved trading partner can take place. 

10. Food derived from cloned animals or their progeny 

Imports of embryos from cloned animals and from progeny of clones may be imported provided they meet the conditions given above. However, food from the resulting animals may be subject to other rules, such as the Novel Food Regulations and there may be restrictions on placing such products on the market.  Importers should contact the Novel Food Unit at the Food Standards Agency for further information. 

11. Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands

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. 

• Bovine ova and embryos from the Channel Islands (PDF, 1.75 MB, 2 pages)
• Bovine ova and embryos from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2016/05) (PDF, 64.1 KB, 2 pages)

You must notify APHA of imports of bovine embryos from Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. See the IIN for general information for imports of live animals and germplasm for more information regarding pre-notification.

12. 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