Statutory guidance

Animal by-products to be fed to fur animals - Import Information Note ABP/24

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 ABPs to be fed to fur animals. 

ABPs to be fed to fur animals may be manufactured from Category 3 material referred to in Article 10 other than 10 (n), (o) and (p) of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009. 

3. Production standards 

ABPs to be fed to fur animals must have been produced and stored in accordance with the conditions laid down in the appropriate health certificate. 

They must be packed in new packaging preventing any leakage or in packaging which has been cleaned and disinfected before use. Effective steps must be taken to ensure that the product is not exposed to contamination throughout the production chain and up to the point of sale. 

The ABPs must have undergone all precautions to avoid contamination with pathogenic agents. 

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 

In the case of products derived from meat

Materials must come from countries listed in the documents from which imports of fresh meat from the same species and where only bone-in meat is authorised for either:

• fresh meat of ungulates
• poultry and poultry products
• meat of wild leporidae, certain wild land mammals and of farmed rabbits

In the case of fish 

Materials must come from countries listed in Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2019/626.

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 food 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  

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:

• the EU to GB
• non-EU countries to GB

7. Labelling requirements 

The material must be packed in final packaging which bear labels indicating “ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS FOR FEED FOR FUR ANIMALS – NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION”

It must then be packed in leak-proof and officially sealed boxes or containers, or in new packaging preventing any leakage and officially sealed boxes or containers which bear labels indicating:

• “ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS FOR FEED FOR FUR ANIMALS – NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION”

• the name and the address of the establishment of destination. 

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