This page provides details on particular issues or changes that importers and exporters may need to be aware of. You can read a collection of all our guidance on importing and exporting live animals or animal products.

Our animal disease monitoring collection covers major, notifiable or new and emerging animal disease outbreaks internationally and in the UK.

This section was updated on 7 July 2016.

The UK regained its official country freedom status of Notifiable Avian Influenza on 7 July 2016 as three months have elapsed following the completion of the final cleansing and disinfection of a single Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza infected premises in Fife, Scotland, in accordance with OIE rules. No further infected premises were identified during this period.

The UK previously declared itself free from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on 17 February 2016. This is in line with the requirements of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code. The Avian influenza: UK Declaration of Freedom from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (PDF, 121KB, 1 page) was issued on 17 February 2016.

Our avian influenza (bird flu) guide covers recent cases in the UK.

This section was updated on 18 May 2016.

Information on cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) reported in the EU and within third countries (countries outside the EU):
-France has reported multiple outbreaks of H5 HPAI, involving three different virus strains (H5N1, H5N2 and H5N9). The majority of birds affected are “fattened” ducks and geese in mostly commercial and some backyard holdings.
-Third country updates are available on the APHA Vet Gateway

This section was published on 28 April 2016.

Bulgarian authorities have confirmed several outbreaks of Lumpy Skin Disease in bovine holdings. Protection and surveillance zones have been established.

To prevent the spread of disease, restrictions have been put in place on movements from the affected areas of:
-live bovine animals and wild ruminants
-bovine genetic material
-fresh meat produced from bovine animals, and meat preparations and meat products produced from such fresh meat
-milk and dairy products from bovine animals
-unprocessed animal by-products of bovine animals

Lumpy skin disease affects cattle and water buffalo. It is thought to be spread by biting flies and mosquitoes, which feed on the skin lesions. Further information on how to spot and report the disease.

A Preliminary Outbreak Assessment has been published.

This section was published on 24 August 2015.

Greek authorities have confirmed two outbreaks of Lumpy Skin Disease in bovine holdings in the Evros region, on the Turkish border. Protection and surveillance zones have been established.

To prevent the spread of disease, restrictions have been put in place on movements from the Evros region of:
-live bovine animals and wild ruminants
-bovine semen
-fresh meat produced from bovine animals, and meat preparations and meat products produced from such fresh meat
-milk and dairy products from bovine animals
-unprocessed animal by-products of bovine animals

Lumpy skin disease is a vector-transmitted viral disease of bovine animals, which is characterised by severe losses, and with the potential for important spread, including through live animals and products obtained from infected animals.

A Preliminary Outbreak Assessment has been published.

This section was updated on 18 May 2016.

China

Trade in live brown crabs to China re-commenced in April 2016.

The Chinese MLC for cadmium is 0.5 mg/kg. This is set out in China National Food Safety Standard GB 2762-2012: Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Food

A new methodology for determining cadmium levels in foods came into effect on 28 July 2015. The methodology entitled Food Safety National Standard ? Determination of cadmium in foods (GB 5009.15-2014) replaces GB/T 5009.15-2003 “Determination of cadmium in foods”.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong authorities have also introduced restrictions on the import of brown crabs exported from Anglesey in Wales.

We advise that no further exports of brown crabs, from Anglesey, are sent to Hong Kong until the situation is resolved.

This section was updated on 14 August 2015.

The Russian Federation has imposed a ban on the import of a number of agricultural commodities from the whole of the EU including the UK and also the USA, Canada, Australia and Norway.

The ban was originally imposed on 7 August 2014. On 25 June 2015, Russia decided to prolong the ban until August 2016. The commission website has more information.

Banned products

The ban took effect immediately. The ban covers many agricultural products, raw materials, plants and foodstuffs including most meat, dairy and fish.

If you need to check whether a particular product is affected, please contact us.

Withdrawal of Export Health Certificates

In the light of this, APHA and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in Northern Ireland have withdrawn all Export Health Certificates for the animals and animal products affected, for the duration of this ban. This also applies to consignments of these commodities that are transiting through the Russian Federation to another destination.

We strongly advise all exporters who intend to send any consignments to the Russian Federation to seek and obtain assurances from importers in the Russian Federation that the consignment will be accepted. Where consignments of live animals are being sent to the Russian Federation, exporters are strongly advised, before the consignment is dispatched, to seek and obtain assurances from the importer in the Russian Federation that it will be accepted. Exporters should be aware that if consignments of live animals are blocked at the border of the Russian Federation, under EU law, re-entry into the UK or any other member state is not permitted. Exceptions may be considered in specific cases.

You should regularly check the latest guidance from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in relation to exporting to the Russian Federation.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/imports-and-exports-of-animals-and-animal-products-topical-issues