British Livestock Genetics

(Taken from DEFRA Customer Information Note API/08/137, 12 September 2008)

Purpose:To advise you that from 1 September 2008 the importation of sheep and goat genetic material from third countries into the UK is subject to the European Union's harmonised rules.

New rules and regulations:

1. European Commission Decision 2008/635/EC (dated 22 July 2008) on imports of semen, ova and embryos of the ovine and caprine species into the Community as regards lists of third countries and of semen collection centres and embryo collection teams, and certification requirements came into force on 1 September 2008.

2. From 1 September 2008 the importation of sheep and goat genetic material imported from third countries must be in accordance with the provisions of that Decision. This means that from that date the importation into Britain of sheep and goat genetic material from Canada and New Zealand which had been permitted under bilateral arrangements that had been agreed prior to 1 September 2008 will no longer be allowed.

Approval of premises

Stakeholders should be aware that currently the Decision does not include lists of approved collection centres for semen and collection teams for ova and embryos, and as such, imports are not currently permitted. Anyone interested in importing ovine/caprine genetic material from any of the countries listed in the appendices to the regulation is urged to ask the supplier/exporter to contact the Competent Authority (CA) of the exporting country so that the CA can audit the premises and submit appropriate guarantees to the European Commission.

Licences and Importer Information Notes

Two new licences - IMP/GEN/2008/04 (semen) and IMP/GEN/2008/05 (ova and embryos) have come into force and are available on the Defra website. Specific licences are no longer required to import this material from third countries.

Defra's 'Importer Information Notes' have also been amended accordingly and are available on their website. See www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/int-trde/

Veterinary Checks

All imports must enter the EU through Border Inspection Posts (BIPs), where veterinary checks will be carried out. The Defra website lists BIPs and information on the veterinary checks procedures.

Contact point for enquiries:

AHIT Chelmsford Tel: +44 (0) 1245 358383 Fax: +44 (0) 1245 351162

E-mail: AHITChelmsford@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk

[18/09/2008]





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New rules and regulations: 1. European Commission Decision 2008/635/EC (dated 22 July 2008) on imports of semen, ova and embryos of the ovine and caprine species into the Community as regards lists of third countries and of semen collection centres and embryo collection teams, and certification requirements came into force on 1 September 2008. 2. From 1 September 2008 the importation of sheep and goat genetic material imported from third countries must be in accordance with the provisions of that Decision. This means that from that date the importation into Britain of sheep and goat genetic material from Canada and New Zealand which had been permitted under bilateral arrangements that had been agreed prior to 1 September 2008 will no longer be allowed. Approval of premises Stakeholders should be aware that currently the Decision does not include lists of approved collection centres for semen and collection teams for ova and embryos, and as such, imports are not currently permitted. Anyone interested in importing ovine/caprine genetic material from any of the countries listed in the appendices to the regulation is urged to ask the supplier/exporter to contact the Competent Authority (CA) of the exporting country so that the CA can audit the premises and submit appropriate guarantees to the European Commission. Licences and Importer Information Notes Two new licences - IMP/GEN/2008/04 (semen) and IMP/GEN/2008/05 (ova and embryos) have come into force and are available on the Defra website. Specific licences are no longer required to import this material from third countries. Defra's 'Importer Information Notes' have also been amended accordingly and are available on their website. See www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/int-trde/ Veterinary Checks All imports must enter the EU through Border Inspection Posts (BIPs), where veterinary checks will be carried out. The Defra website lists BIPs and information on the veterinary checks procedures. Contact point for enquiries: AHIT Chelmsford Tel: +44 (0) 1245 358383 Fax: +44 (0) 1245 351162 E-mail: AHITChelmsford@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk [18/09/2008]