Statutory guidance

Certain materials for purposes other than feeding to farmed land animals - Import Information Note ABP/26

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 certain materials for purposes other than feeding to farmed land animals.

Imports of the following materials are covered under separate IINs:

• Imports of rodentia and lagomorpha for feeding to pets (including reptiles and birds of prey) – IIN ABP/27
  
  
• Imports of fishing bait – IIN ABP/28
  
  
• Import of processed finished feed for pet ornamental aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians – IIN ABP/43

In accordance with Annex XIV, Chapter IV, Section 2 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011, the competent authority may authorise the importation of certain materials for purposes other than feeding to farmed land animals (except for feeding to fur animals) provided there is no unacceptable risk for the transmission of diseases communicable to humans or animals. 

Feeding to animals other than farmed land animals

The following ABPs are permitted to be imported for feeding to animals other than farmed land animals:

• feed for wild birds and wild animals
• feed for pet fish only

The following materials can be used for the feed products listed above: 

• ABPs from aquatic animals and derived products from aquatic animals

• aquatic invertebrates and derived products from aquatic invertebrates

• terrestrial invertebrates, including any of their transformation forms, such as larvae, and derived products there from

• products generated by the animals referred to in points 1 (a), 1 (b) and 1 (c) of Annex XIV, chapter IV, section 2 Regulation (EU) 142/2011, such as fish eggs

For technical use 

This IIN includes the following products:

• products for the manufacture of supplements for feeding to animals other than farmed land animals

• products for the manufacture of feed for wild birds and wild animals

• products for the manufacture of pet fish feed only

The following materials can be used for the technical products listed above:

• ABPs from aquatic animals and derived products from aquatic animals

• aquatic invertebrates and derived products from aquatic invertebrates

• terrestrial invertebrates, including any of their transformation forms, such as larvae, and derived products there from

• products generated by the animals referred to in points 1 (a), 1 (b) and 1 (c) of Annex XIV, chapter IV, section 2 Regulation (EU) 142/2011, such as fish eggs

Feed or technical products not mentioned above 

If you wish to import any of the materials mentioned  for purposes not listed above, you may require an authorisation. Please contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Centre for International Trade (CIT) - Imports, at imports@apha.gov.uk for further information. 

3. Production standards 

The materials must be either:

• deep frozen and free from salmonella and other pathogenic organisms
• dried by a treatment sufficient to destroy pathogenic organisms, including salmonella

Once the materials are either deep frozen or dried, all precautions must be taken to prevent any recontamination after treatment and the ABPs must be securely packaged in new containers.

Materials being imported directly for retail sale for feeding to pet fish, wild birds, and wild animals other than farmed land animals must be in new ready-to-sell packages bearing a label that the content can only be used for feeding pet fish, wild birds and wild animals other than farmed land animals. 

4. Country of origin 

Imports are permitted from trading partners listed as a member of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH - formerly OIE).

5. Documentation 

Each consignment must be accompanied by a commercial document completed and signed by the exporter or manufacturer stating the:

• name of the establishment of production

• name and address of the consignor and consignee

• name and address of premises of destination in GB (if different from the consignee)

• name of the manufacturer, quantity shipped and identification marks

• country of origin

• type of ABP used

• purpose and use of ABP

The commercial document for each consignment must also state that the ABPs have either been:

• deep frozen and free from Salmonella and other pathogenic organisms

• dried by a treatment sufficient to destroy pathogenic organisms, including salmonella, and is ambient stable (depending on its use)

The ABP must also be securely packaged or sealed in clean or new containers. 

6. Labelling requirements 

All packages must bear a label indicating “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION” unless they are dispatched in ready-to-sell packages.

If the packages are dispatched as ready-to-sell, the label must state “FOR FEEDING TO PET FISH/WILD BIRDS/WILD ANIMALS OTHER THAN FARMED LAND ANIMALS ONLY” 

7. Movement to premises of destination 

Once checked at the Border Control Post (BCP) the ABPs must be transported directly from the BCP to either: 

• a pet food plant approved in accordance with Article 24 of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009

• a holding or establishment keeping animals in accordance with Article 18 of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009

• an establishment or plant approved for handling of ABPs after their collection, by way of operations such as sorting, cutting, chilling, freezing in accordance with Article 24 of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009

• an establishment or plant approved for storage in accordance with Article 24 of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009

• directly for retail sale where the ABPs are dispatched in ready-to-sell packages bearing a label with a clear indication that the content is only destined for feeding to wild birds/wild animals

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