Statutory guidance

Import of rendered fats (excluding fish oil), not intended for human consumption, to be used as feed material - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/10A

Published 2 December 2024

1. 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. 2. Scope 

Import conditions for rendered fats (excluding fish oil), not intended for human consumption, to be used as feed material. 

Rendered fats is defined in Regulation (EU) 142/2011 as either fats derived from the processing of animal by-product or products for human consumption, which an operator has destined for purposes other than human consumption. 

Rendered fats to be used as feed material must only be derived from Category 3 materials referred to in Article 10 (a), (b), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j) and (k) of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009. 

3. 3. Production standards 

The rendered fats to be used as feed material must have been produced and stored in accordance with the requirements of Annex X, Chapter II, Section 3 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011 and, the necessary processing standard for rendered fats are laid down in Annex X, Chapter II, Section 3, point B of Regulation (EU) 142/2011. 

The rendered fats must also comply with Annex XIV, Chapter I, Section 3 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011 which provides for the disease status of the country or appropriate heat treatments where the product is derived from ruminating animals, swine or poultry. 

The product must be packaged and transported in accordance with the requirements laid down in Annex X, Chapter II, Section 3, point C. 

4. 4. Country of origin 

Imports are permitted from trading partners listed in a document 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 

Rendered fats must come from countries listed in the document for fresh meat of ungulates.

5. 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 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. 6. Health certification or documentation 

Imports to GB must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate. The health certificates are based on the requirements included in Annex XV, Chapter 10(A) of Regulation (EU) 142/2011. 

Model health certificates for fats

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. 7. Labelling requirements 

The containers must bear labels indicating “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION”. 

8. 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