Animal by-products for the manufacture of pet food - Import Information Note ABP/3F
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 ABPs for the manufacture of pet food.
ABPs for the manufacture of pet food may be manufactured from:
a) Category 3 material referred to in Articles 10 (a), (b), (e), (f), (i), (j), (k) and (l) of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009
b) Category 1 material referred to in Article 8(c) of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009 comprising of ABPs derived from animals which have been submitted to illegal treatment as defined in Article 1 (2) (d) of Directive 96/22
3. Production standards
ABPs to be used for the manufacture of pet food must have been produced, processed and stored in accordance with the requirements of Annex XIV, Chapter II, Section 8 points 1 to 3 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011.
In the case of Category 1 raw material referred to in 2 (b) above for pet food production the raw material must also comply with point 5.1 of Section 8, Chapter II of Annex XIV of Regulation (EU) 142/2011.
They must be packed in new or sterilised packaging or transported in bulk containers or other means of transport that were thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
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:
In the case of bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine and equine animals including farmed and wild animals
These must come from countries or parts of countries listed in the document from which imports of fresh meat of ungulates for human consumption are permitted.
In the case of raw material from poultry including ratites
These must come from countries or parts of countries listed in the document from which imports of fresh poultry and poultry products are permitted.
In the case of raw fish materials
These must come from countries listed in Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/626.
In the case raw material from other wild land mammals and leporidae
These must come from countries listed in the document from which imports of fresh meat of wild leporidae, certain wild land mammals and of farmed rabbits are permitted.
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. Health certification or documentation
Imports to GB must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate based on the GB model health certificate.
Model health certificates for petfood
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 product must be packed in new packaging preventing any leakage and in officially sealed containers bearing the label indicating:
- “RAW MATERIAL ONLY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PETFOOD”
- the name and address of the establishment of destination
8. Monitoring of the products to an approved premises
Following the veterinary checks provided for in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1715, and in accordance with the conditions laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/1666, the ABPs must be transported directly from the BCP under Customs procedures to either an approved or registered establishment or plant referred to in Annex XIV, Chapter II, Section 8, point 4 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011.
In the case of Category 1 raw material referred to in 2 (b) above for pet food production the raw material only
Following the veterinary checks, the ABPs must be transported directly to a premises referred to in Annex XIV, Chapter II, Section 8, point 5.1(c) of Regulation (EU) 142/2011.
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