What we do
Import Licences
Animal Health is responsible for issuing specific import licences, where required, for animals and animal products where the consignment is landing in England only.
Upon receipt of your import licence application form Animal Health will:
- Process your application and send the appropriate import licence to you
- Provide advice and support to importers throughout the import licence application and issuing process
Import licences for animals and animal products landing in Scotland and Wales should be sought from:
Movement of Avian Influenza Vaccinated Zoo Birds
Animal Health is responsible for issuing licences for the movement of Avian Influenza (AI) vaccinated zoo birds.
Permitted movements under licence include the movement of AI vaccinated zoo birds to any zoo in the UK originating from:
- Other UK zoos
- EU member states
- Non-EU member states (known as 'Third Countries')
A movement licence is required to move vaccinated birds between UK zoos or to import such birds from an EU member state. Further advice should be sought from your local Animal Health office before planning any such movements as, dependent upon the circumstances of each individual movement, not all licences applied for will be granted.
Imports of AI vaccinated zoo birds from non-EU member states will require an additional import licence. Please contact:
- Animal Health - for consignments landing in England
Scottish Government - for consignments landing in Scotland
Welsh Government - for consignments landing in Wales
Post Import Monitoring and Surveillance
Animal Health carries out routine post-import surveillance on imported animals and animal products as part of international disease monitoring to prevent the risk of import and spread of disease into and throughout the United Kingdom. Additional information on international disease monitoring can be found on the Defra website.
Licensing of Quarantine Premises, Carrying Agents and Portal Carrying Agents
Animal Health is responsible for the licensing of Authorised Quarantine Premises and Authorised Carrying Agents/Portal Carrying Agents in England, Scotland and Wales. Further details of how to apply for such licences is available in our Premises pages.
