Statutory guidance

Processed finished feed for pet ornamental aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates reptiles and amphibians - Import Information Note ABP/43

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 

This IIN covers the importation of processed finished feed (which has been processed and is in its final packaging), intended for ornamental aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians which are kept as pets only and which are not intended for food or feed use.  

Processed means that the product has undergone a processing method including heat treatments. Freezing is not deemed a processing method.

Finished means that the imported product requires no further treatments or processing once it has been imported into GB and is ready to sell in its imported packaging.  

Annex XIV, Chapter IV, Section 2 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011 allows the competent authority to authorise imports of certain material “for purposes other than feeding to farmed land animals” provided there is “no unacceptable risk for the transmission of diseases communicable to humans or animals”. 

Feed intended for ornamental aquatic vertebrates (such as cold water and tropical fish) and invertebrates (such as coral or starfish), reptiles and amphibians kept as pets, and that are not intended for use as food or feed can be imported into Great Britain (GB) with an authorisation if the product contains mixtures of the following ABPs:

a) ABPs from aquatic animals and derived products from aquatic animals

b) aquatic invertebrates and derived products from aquatic invertebrates

c) terrestrial invertebrates, including any of their transformation forms, such as larvae, and derived products therefrom

d) products generated by the animals referred to in points (a), (b) and (c), such as fish eggs

3. Authorisation 

Importers may import these products as processed pet food (if the products meet the requirements as set out in IIN ABP/3B). 

Alternatively, importers may import these products using an authorisation as follows:

From non-EU countries

You should apply to APHA for a specific import authorisation using application form IV58 to the contact address in section 8 of this IIN. In this case, a health certificate is not required.

Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applying for an authorisation does not guarantee that one will be issued.

Importers must ensure that the following information is submitted with the application form:

• a complete list of all ingredients in the product
• the percentage of each ABP in the product
• the country of origin of each ABP used
• the processing methods for each ABP including temperatures and timings

From EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states

There is currently no requirement to apply to APHA for an authorisation to import these types of animal by-products from the EU and EFTA member states.

Authorisation to import these products from EU and EFTA member states is already provided by general import authorisation IMP-GEN-2024-07, which does not need to travel with the consignment.

The consignment must be accompanied by a commercial document.

New general import authorisations are currently under development for certain types of products from EU and EFTA member states, which may introduce new import conditions to ensure animal and public health is protected. Sufficient time will be given to traders before their use is required.

This section will also be updated if a new general import authorisation is published which is relevant to the products covered by this IIN. 

4. Production standards 

All of the ABPs must have undergone a treatment to ensure that there is no risk of the transmission of disease to humans or animals. The treatment methods, including those that are not traditional processing methods, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  

5. 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 EFTA countries 

ABPs from terrestrial invertebrates including any of their transformation forms, such as larvae, and derived products therefrom, must come from countries listed in the document for fresh meat of ungulates, and Taiwan, Japan, Ecuador, or Sri Lanka. 

ABPs from aquatic animals, aquatic invertebrates and derived products from those products, must come from countries listed in Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2019/626.

6. Documentation 

Imports of feed products must be accompanied by a commercial document issued by the exporter indicating 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

7. Labelling requirements 

All packages must have labelling which clearly indicates that the content is destined for feeding to “PET ORNAMENTAL AQUATIC VERTEBRATES, PET INVERTEBRATES, PET REPTILES OR PET AMPHIBIANS”.  

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