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ARCHIVE: International trade: Exports of animal products to European Union (EU) Member States
Every year, Defra issues around 100,000 Export Health Certificates for consignments of animal products of all types. This section sets out general information on the functions of the Department in relation to veterinary export health certification and the conditions for trade within the European Community. Details of the latest developments and issues affecting product exports are available in Customer Information Notes.
Trade within the European Community
Within the EU, the conditions of trade in most products is harmonised. This means that, regardless of whether a product is destined for the UK market or another Member State of the European Union, certain basic trade requirements have to be met. These include requirements for meat and some other animal products to be marked as complying with the relevant hygiene requirements and for all consignments to be accompanied by commercial documents which provide basic information such as the premises of production. There are certain exceptions to this general rule: for example, pet food still requires certification when moving within the Community and certain products of bovine origin require certification when they are exported from the UK.
Page last modified:
<8 September, 2009