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OVS Notes

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The Border Control Points (BCP) manual is supplemented by OVS Notes which contain details of changes to import controls for animals and products of animal origin. These notes supplement the standing instructions to inspection officers that are contained in the BCP manual. OVS notes are issued by Defra, Food Standard Agency (FSA) and APHA.

2025 OVS Notes

2025-06 - Imports of Animal Casings - Review of Rules/Import Conditions
Published 17 January 2025

2025-05 - Imports of Untreated Wool and Hair - Review of Rules/Import Conditions
Published 17 January 2025

2025-04 - Personal imports of products from FMD-Susceptible animals from certain third countries and territories.
Published 16 January 2025

2025-03 - Changes to imports of display items and non-harmonised ABP from EU and EFTA member states, and update on import of research and diagnostic samples from Germany, following confirmation of FMD in Germany
Published 16 January 2025

2025-02 - Outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Germany
Published 14 January 2025

2025-01 - General Import Authorisations and Licences for ABP
Published 08 January 2025

2024 OVS Notes

2024-60 - Outbreak of Peste Des Petits Ruminants in Bulgaria
Published 19 December 2024

2024-59 - Import authorisations for imports of ABP from the EU and EFTA member states from 1 February 2025.
Published 16 December 2024

2024-58 - Outbreak of Peste des Petits Ruminants in Bulgaria
Published 12 December 2024

2024 - 57 - Outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in New Zealand
Published 05 December 2024

2024 - 56 - Outbreak of Peste Des Petits Ruminants in Bulgaria
Published 05 December 2024

2024 - 55 - Measures taken in respect Lumpy Skin Disease in Japan.
Published 05 December 2024

2024 - 54 - GBHC352 for meat products and GBHC330 for fresh poultry meat.
Published 04 December 2024

2024-53 - Bluetongue Virus outbreak in Poland.
Published 03 December 2024

2024-52 - Outbreak of Bluetongue virus in Poland.
Published 26 November 2024

2024-51 - Outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease in Japan.
Published 14 November 2024

2024-50 - Check rates for medium risk animal by-products imported using general or
specific import authorisations.
Published 14 November 2024

2024-49 - Import of Organic Fertilisers and Soil Improvers.
Published 14 November 2024

2024-48 - Import of trade samples (animal by-products).
Published 14 November 2024

2024-47 - Outbreak of small hive beetle in Sicily, Italy.
Published 04 November 2024

2024-46 - Changes to treatment requirements for imports of porcine meat products from areas of European Union Member States with outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Wild Boar
Published 04 November 2024

2024-45 - US HPAI Regionalisation
Published 23 October 2024

2024-44 - Guidance for completion of certificates: GBHC352 for meat products and GBHC330 for fresh poultry meat
Published 11 October 2024

2024-43 - Increased restrictions on personal imports of pork and pork products from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland to Great Britain (GB) due to African Swine Fever (ASF)
Published 27 September 2024

2024-42 - Outbreak of Bluetongue virus in Austria
Published 17 September 2024

2024-41 - Import of former foodstuffs directly to Pet Food manufacturers
Published 17 September 2024

2024-40 - Outbreak of Bluetongue virus in Austria
Published 17 September 2024

2024-39 - Outbreak fo Bluetongue in Czechia and Norway
Published 13 September 2024

2024-38 - Outbreak of Sheep Pox and Goat Pox in Bulgaria
Published 10 September 2024

2024-37 - Outbreak fo Bluetongue in Czechia and Norway
Published 10 September 2024

2024-36 - Outbreak of Sheep Pox and Goat Pox in Bulgaria
Published 06 September 2024

2024-35 - Clarification on the correct completion of EHCs
Published 02 September 2024

2024-34 - Restrictions on personal imports of certain sheep and goat commodities from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland to Scotland due to outbreaks of peste des petits ruminants (PPR)
Published 27 August 2024

2024-33 - Restrictions on personal imports of certain sheep and goat commodities from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland to Wales due to outbreaks of peste des petits ruminants (PPR)
Published 23 August 2024

2024-32 - Restrictions on personal imports of certain sheep and goat commodities from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland due to outbreaks of peste des petits ruminants (PPR).
Published 21 August 2024

2024-31 - Farmed fishery products from European Union and EFTA countries.
Published 19 August 2024

2024-30 - Outbreak of Bluetongue virus in Denmark.
Published 14 August 2024

2024-29 - Restrictions on imports from Romania of Live Sheep and Goats, Ovine and Caprine Germplasm, Raw Milk and Milk products derived from ovine and Caprine animals, Fresh and chilled hides and skins and untreated hair and wool from Ovine   and caprine animals due to an outbreak of Peste Des Petits ruminants.
Published 29 July 2024

2024-28 - Import of untreated wool from Ovine and Caprine animals from Romainia
Published 26 July 2024

2024-27 - Import of Live Sheep and Goats, Ovine and Caprine germplasm, Raw milk and Milk products derived from Ovine and Caprine animals fresh and chilled (untreated) hides and skins of sheep and goats from Romania.
Published 23 July 2024

2024/26 - Restrictions on import from Greece of imports of raw milk and raw dairy products derived from ovine and caprine animals due to outbreaks of peste des peste des petits ruminants
Published 19 July 2024

2024/25 - Import of Raw milk and Raw dairy products from Ovine and Caprine animals from Greece
Published 18 July 2024

2024/24 - Restrictions to imports of fresh porcine meat and porcine and wild swine meat products from areas of European Union Member States with outbreaks of African Swine Fever in Wild Boar.
Published 09 July 2024

2024/23 - BTOM Implementation - Gelatine Capsules
Published 28 June 2024

2024/22 - Controls on bringing pork and pork products into Great Britain from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, The Faroe Islands and Greenland.
Published 26 June 2024

2024/21 - Import of Fishery products from establishments located in Faroe Islands and Greenland.
Published 17 June 2024

2024/20 - To clarify how trading partners have been advised by Defra to complete certain GB health certificates.
Published 11 June 2024

2024/19 - Outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Australia
Published 06 June 2024

2024/18 - Import of minced meat, meat preparations & mechanically separated meat (MSM)
Published 24 May 2024

2024/17 - Clarification on country listing for poultry meat products on the EHC GBHC352 Meat Products.
Published 10 May 2024

2024/16 - Classical Swine Fever in Bulgaria and Romania
Published 08 May 2024

24/15 - Quarterly Updates to GB Model Export Health Certificates (EHCs) for Animals and Animal Products
Published 01 May 2024

24/14 - Animal By-Product General Import Authorisations
Published 01 May 2024

24/13 - Milk from colombia contaminated with Steriods
Published 19 April 2024

24/12 - Importation of meat and meat products from Canada- Change in CFIA’s official container seal.
Published 19 April 2024

24/11 - Import of Fishery Products from Establishments located in Faroe Islands and Greenland.
Published 15 April 2024

24/10 - Lifting of restrictions relating to sheep pox and goat pox
Published 09 April 2024

24/09 - Imports of compound products
Published 09 April 2024

24/08 - Import of Dairy Products and Raw Milk that have undergone a lower treatment than pasteurisation for human consumption from the EU
Published 04 March 2024

24/07 - To clarify how trading partners have been advised by Defra to complete certain GB health certificates
Published 27 February 2024

24/06 - quarterly updates to the GB streamlined model export health certificates for animals and animal products
Published 27 February 2024

24/05 - Import fo Fishery Products from Establishments located in Faroe Islands and Greenland. Imports of ABPs from Establishments located in EU and EFTA States, Faroe Islands and Greenland.
Published 12 February 2024

24/04 - Import of permitted medium risk animal by-products from the EU
Published 01 February 2024

24/03 - EU HPAI Regionalisation
Published 27 January 2024

24/02 - Outbreak of African Swine Fever in Montenegro
Published 25 January 2024

24/01 - Vitamin D3 processed from Lanolin
Published 10 January 2024

2023 OVS Notes

23/21 - Imports of hay and straw from non-EU Countries
Published 04 December

23/20 - Quarterly updates to the GB streamlined model Export Heath Certificates for Animals and Animal Products.
Published 14 November 2023

23/19 - Agreed Procedure for the Certification of USA Origin Health Certificates.
Published 06 November 2023

23/18 - Establishment lists: updates to the Health Certificate Archive
Published 26 October 2023

23/17 - Border Control Posts Verification Checks and Checklist
Published 06 October 2023

23/16 - Outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Chile
Published 05 October 2023

23/15 - New Streamlined GB Model Export Health Certificates (EHCs) and Risk Categorisation for Import of Animals and Animal Products into GB
Published 26 September 2023

23/14 - New Australian Government Seal
Published 22 September 2023

23/13 - Prohibitions and Restrictions for Meat Preparations - Imports from the EU
Published 22 September 2023

23/12 - Imports of Animal Products from Brazil
Published 18 July 2023

23/11 - Chronic Wasting Disease - Safeguard Measure
Published 23 June 2023

23/10 - Outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Argentina
Published 06 June 2023

23/09 -  Foot and Mouth disease in Botswana – Lifting of restrictions
Published 24 May 2023

23/08 -  Revocation of Residue Control Plan Approval for Honey from Ghana
Published 02 May 2023

23/07 -  Changes to the minimum surveillance period for imports of poultry and poultry products from Avian Influenza affected countries
Published 20 March 2023

23/06 - Export Health Certificate:Updates to the Health Certificate archive
Published 20 March 2023

23/05 - Outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Chile
Published 17 March 2023

23/04 - Outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Argentina - replaced by 2023/10
Published 10 March 2023

23/03 - POAO from China and interpretation of REUL (Retained EU Law) 2002/994
Published 10 March 2023

23/02 - Export Health Certificate:Updates to the Health Certificate archive
Published 03 February 2023

23/01 - Export Health Certificate:Updates to the Health Certificate archive
Published 11 January 2023

2022 OVS Notes

22/27 - African Swine Fever control measures on bringing pork and pork products into Great Britain from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, LiechensteinThe Faroe Islands and Greenland
22/26 - Third Country lists for imports of animals and animal products now added to the health certificate archive
22/25 - Export Healt Certificates - Update to the Health Certificate Archive
22/24 - Avian Influenza cases in Japan
22/23 - Export Health Certificates: updated acceptance date
22/22 -Temporary approval for the use of packaging from Japan stating 2 establishment numbers
22/21 - Retained EU legislation on LEGISLATION.GOV.UK
22/20 -Lifting of restrictions in relation to imports of poultry products from Japan
22/19 - Model certificate accompanying consignments of products of animal origin, Germinal products, Animal by-products, derived products, hay and straw and composite products from Third Countries which are delivered to vessels leaving Great Britain, or NATO bases
22/18 - Outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Botswana
22/17 - Outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Botswana
22/16 - Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) status for Canada and Ireland
22/15 - Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in the USA and Canada
22/14 - Access to the list of approved establishments
22/13 - Changes to the way GB amendsThird Country lists for import of Animals and Animal products
22/12 - Withdrawal of Temporary Contingency Measures relating to Official Controls at Border Control Posts (BCPs) during the COVID-19 Outbreak
22/11 - Update - Outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influienza in the USA and Canada
22/10 - Upcoming changes to the way GB amends Third Country lists for import of Animals and Animal Products
22/09 - Request for Information: List of offences under Trade in Animals and Animal Products Regulations 2011
22/08 - Update - Outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the USA and Canada
22/07 - Update - Outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in USA
22/06 - Outbreaks of Highly Pathigenic Avian Influenza in USA and Canada
22/05 - Outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in USA and Canada
22/04 - Outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Inflenza in USA and Canada
22/03 - Certification of Products of Animal Origin from Hong Kong
22/02- Lists of approved establishments
22/01 - Temporary Contingency Measures related to Official Controls which can be drawn on at Border Control Posts (BCP) During the COVID-19 outbreak and Allowing non-Official Veterinarians (non-OVs) to carry out ID and physical checks on some third country imports that are subject to official controls at Border Control Posts (BCPs) in Great Britain

2021 OVS Notes

21/14 - Import of Poultry and Poultry Products from Australia and Ukraine
21/13 - Amendment to Retained EU Regulation 798/2008 with respect to Japan
21/12 - New Health Certificate Archive Site
21/11 - HPAI outbreaks in Japan: Import restrictions for imports of fresh poultry meat
21/10 -Update on import conditions for hay and straw
21/09 - Outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Botswana
21/08 - Outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Botswana
21/07 - Temporary Contingency Measures related to Official Controls which can be drawn on at Border Control Posts (BCP) During the COVID-19 outbreak and Allowing non-Official Veterinarians (non-OVs) to carry out ID and physical checks on some third country imports that are subject to official controls at Border Control Posts (BCPs) in Great Britain
21/06 - Consignments accompanied by the new EU Animal Health Law model health certificates
21/05 - Grace period for use of EU certificates for imports for Non-EU countries
21/04 - Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian inflenza in Ukraine
21/03 - Grace Period for use of EU Certificates for Imports from Third Countries
21/02 - Temporary Contingency Measures related to Official Controls which can be drawn on at Border control Posts (BCPs) during the COVID-19 Pandemic and guidance.
21/01 - EU Exit Information

2020 OVS Notes

20/28 - COVID imports easements update
20/27 - EU Exit Information
20/26 - COVID Imports easements Update
20/25 - Approved Countries for the Import of Insects
20/24 - BCP Update Training day - Tuesday 1 December and Thursday 3 December 2020
20/23 - Change to certification for meat products and certain poultry commodities from the USA
20/22 - Temporary Contingency Official Control Measure to be taken at Border Control Posts during the COVID-19 outbreak
20/21 - Amendment to Decision 2011/163/EU on the approval of residue monitoring plans
20/20 - Temporary Official Control Measures to be taken at Border Control Posts during the COVID-19 outbreak
20/19 - Imports of honey from Third Countries - species of bee
20/18 - Changes to Import Authorisations for Insects into the European Union
20/17 - Temporary Contingency Official Control Measures to be taken at Border Control Posts during the Coronavirus Outbreak.
20/16 - TRACES-NT
20/15 - Newcastle disease in the Republic of North Macedonia
20/14 - Temporary Contingency Official Control Measures to be taken at Border Control Posts during the Coronavirus Outbreak.
20/13 - Temporary contingency official control measures to be taken at Border Control Post during the COVID-19 outbreak
20/12 - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the USA
20/11 - COVID-19 outbreak - Contingency Plans - update
20/10 - COVID-19 outbreak - Contingency Plans
20/09 - Current Situation Relating to Imports of Poultry Meat from Russia
20/08 - Removal of South Africa from third country list for imports of fresh meat and meat products of ungulates.
20/07 - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Ukraine
20/06 - Importation of products of animal origin (POAO) from China
20/05 - Guidance on the development of a training programme for Non-OVS staff in accordance with Delegated Regulation 2019/1081
20/04 - Maximum number fo consignments to be checked by an OVS
20/03 - Arrangements during the EU Exit Transition Period and clarification on the Official Controls Regulation (OCR) transhipment rules
20/01 - Health certificates imported after December 14th


2019 OVS Notes

19/10- Amendment to Regulations (EC) 136/2004 and 282/2004 as regards the model of common veterinary entry document (CVED)
19/09 - BIP update training day - 27 November 2019 - Complete the Nomination form and send to imports@apha.gov.uk
19/08 - Conversion rate and minimum harmonised charges for veterinary checks from EU Exit Day
19/07- Approved US establishments for POAO
19/06- Composite products and safeguard measures
19/05 - Import of Chinese fishery products and Brazilian chicken
19/04 - Maltese fishery product establishments
19/03 - Residue Monitoring Plan
19/02 - Guidance on the import of Leucine (E461)
19/01 - Amendment to Decision 2011/163/EU on the approval of residue monitoring plans

2018 OVS Notes

18/18 - Imports of Bivalve Molluscs, Echinoderms, Tunicates and Marine Gastropods for human consumption from the USA
18/17 - Maximum number of consignments to be checked by an OVS
18/16 - Amendments to Annexes I and II of Decision 2006/766/EC
18/15 - Guidance on the import of Leucine
18/14 - Harmonised charges for 2019
18/13 - Maximum number of consignments to be checked by an OVS. All BIPs to complete the form
18/12 - Amendment to decision 2011/163/EU on the approval of residue monitoring plans
18/11 - Third country lists for fishery products from Brazil
18/10 - General licence and authorisation for imports of certain animal derived material for research amd diagnostic purposes
18/09 - Outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Russia
18/08 - Imports of pearls in oyster shells (containing oyster flesh) which have been preserved in an alcohol and water solution and dispatched in sealed, ready to sell containers - change to general authorisation
18/07 - Third country lists from Brazil
18/06 - Changes to permitted treatments for imports of treated feathers into the UK
18/05 - Audits of Border Inspection Posts (BIPs)
18/04 - Amendment to decision 2011/163/EU on the approval of residue monitoring plans
18/03 - not allocated
18/02 - Exports of Processed Animal Protein (Ruminant) to Third Countries
18/01 - not allocated

2017 OVS Notes

OVS Note - 17/29
OVS Note - 17/28
OVS Note - 17/27
OVS Note - 17/26
OVS Note - 17/25
OVS Note - 17/24
OVS Note - 17/23
OVS Note - 17/22
OVS Note - 17/21
OVS Note - 17/20
OVS Note - 17/19
OVS Note - 17/18
OVS Note - 17/17
OVS Note - 17/16
OVS Note - 17/15
OVS Note - 17/14
OVS Note - 17/13
OVS Note - 17/12
OVS Note - 17/11
OVS Note - 17/10
OVS Note - 17/09
OVS Note - 17/08
OVS Note - 17/07
OVS Note - 17/06
OVS Note - 17/05
OVS Note - 17/04
OVS Note - 17/03
OVS Note - 17/02
OVS Note - 17/01

2016 OVS Notes

OVS Note - 2016/33
OVS Note - 2016/32
OVS Note - 2016/30
OVS Note - 2016/29
OVS Note - 2016/28
OVS Note - 2016/27
OVS Note - 2016/26
OVS Note - 2016/25
OVS Note - 2016/24
OVS Note - 2016/23
OVS Note - 2016/22
OVS Note - 2016/21
OVS Note - 2016/20
OVS Note - 2016/19
OVS Note - 2016/18
OVS Note - 2016/17
OVS Note - 2016/16
OVS Note - 2016/15
OVS Note - 2016/13
OVS Note - 2016/12
OVS Note - 2016/11
OVS Note - 2016/10
OVS Note - 2016/09
OVS Note - 2016/08
OVS Note - 2016/07
OVS Note - 2016/06
OVS Note - 2016/05
OVS Note - 2016/04
OVS Note - 2016/03
OVS Note - 2016/02
OVS Note - 2016/01

2015 OVS Notes

OVS Note - 2015/46
OVS Note - 2015/45
OVS Note - 2015/44
OVS Note - 2015/43
OVS Note - 2015/42
OVS Note - 2015/41
OVS Note - 2015/40
OVS Note - 2015/39
OVS Note - 2015/38
OVS Note - 2015/37
OVS Note - 2015/36
OVS Note - 2015/35
OVS Note - 2015/34
OVS Note - 2015/33
OVS Note - 2015/32
OVS Note - 2015/31
OVS Note - 2015/30
OVS Note - 2015/29
OVS Note - 2015/28
OVS Note - 2015/27
OVS Note - 2015/26
OVS Note - 2015/25
OVS Note - 2015/24
OVS Note - 2015/22
OVS Note - 2015/21
OVS Note - 2015/20
OVS Note - 2015/19
OVS Note - 2015/18
OVS Note - 2015/17
OVS Note - 2015/16
OVS Note - 2015/14
OVS Note - 2015/13
OVS Note - 2015/12
OVS Note - 2015/11
OVS Note - 2015/10
OVS Note - 2015/09
OVS Note - 2015/08
OVS Note - 2015/07
OVS Note - 2015/06
OVS Note - 2015/05
OVS Note - 2015/04
OVS Note - 2015/03
OVS Note - 2015/02
OVS Note - 2015/01

For OVS Notes prior to 2015, please see the archived web page on the National Archives website.

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