Statutory guidance

Import of processed animal protein (PAP) not for human consumption - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/1

Published 2 December 2024

1. General information 

This Import Information Note (IIN) must be read in conjunction with the IIN for general information for imports of animal by-products (ABPs), which provides information on pre-notifications, veterinary checks, risk categories and more.

References to European Union (EU) legislation within this document are references to direct EU legislation which has been assimilated in Great Britain (assimilated direct legislation), as defined in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 and can be viewed on the UK legislation website. 

2. Scope

Import conditions for processed animal protein (PAP) not for human consumption, including mixtures and products other than pet food containing such protein and compound feeds containing such protein, as defined in Article 3(2)(h) of Regulation (EC) 767/2009, not for human consumption. 

PAP is defined in Regulation (EU) 142/2011 as animal protein derived entirely from Category 3 material, which have been treated in accordance with Section 1 of Chapter II of Annex X of the Regulation stated above (including blood meal and fishmeal) so as to render them suitable for direct use as feed material or for any other use in feeding stuffs, including pet food, or for use in organic fertilisers or soil improvers. However it does not include blood products, milk, milk-based products, milk-derived products, colostrum, colostrum products, centrifuge or separator sludge, gelatine, hydrolysed proteins and dicalcium phosphate, eggs and egg-products including eggshells, tricalcium phosphate and collagen. 

Category 3 material and products derived from such ABPs other than Category 3 material referred to in Article 10 (c), (g), (n), (o) and (p) of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009 may be used for the production of PAP. 

3. Production standards 

Processed animal protein must have been produced and stored in accordance with the requirements of Annex X, Chapter II, Section 1 A, B and C of Regulation (EU) 142/2011. 

Processing requirements are laid down in point B of Chapter III of Annex IV of Regulation (EU) 142/2011. 

4. Country of origin 

Imports are permitted from trading partners listed a document published by the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Scottish and Welsh Ministers for:

• non-EU countries
• EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries 

PAP excluding fishmeal may only be imported from countries listed in the documents for fresh meat of ungulates at the above links. 

Fishmeal may only be imported from the countries listed in Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2019/626. 

5. Approved establishments 

Products must be produced in an establishment approved to export to Great Britain (GB). Importers should check prior to importation that the premises are listed on the correct list.  

Find consolidated lists of approved plants (excluding the EU) 

Find approved EU ABP establishments

If the establishment or plant is not listed, importers are urged to contact the company concerned, who should contact their competent authority immediately. If the plant is not included on the appropriate list when veterinary checks are carried out the consignment is likely to be held and could be rejected and re-exported or destroyed.

6. Health certification  

Imports to GB must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate based on the GB model health certificate. 

Model health certificates for other animal by-products

This requirement applies to products in the high and medium risk categories. Find information about import risk categories, inspection rates and related rules for animals and animal products imported from:

• the EU to GB

• non-EU countries to GB

7. Labelling requirements 

The end product must bear labels indicating ‘NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION’. 

8. Other general additional conditions and guarantees 

In accordance with the requirements of Annex XIV, Chapter I, Section 2 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011, before being released for free circulation within GB, PAP must be sampled at the BCP to ensure compliance with the general requirements of Chapter I of Annex X of Regulation (EU) 142/2011. 

In accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) 152/2009 BCPs are required to sample for microscopy all imports of fishmeal for animal feed. The consignment must be held at the BCP pending the result. 

9. Animal feed requirements 

Animal feed plays an important part in the food chain and has implications for the composition and quality of the livestock products (milk, meat and eggs) that people consume. The legislation applies principally to feed for farmed livestock, but also covers feed for horses, pets, farmed fish, zoo and circus animals and creatures living freely in the wild. You must ensure that any imported material that could be used as animal feed complies with the relevant legislation. The Food Standards Agency is responsible for drawing up the rules on the composition, labelling and marketing of animal feed.

Further information about these rules and guidance about compliance can be found at the Food Standards Agency. Enquiries about its application to your particular activity should be directed to your local authority’s trading standards department. 

10. Contact for further information 

For more information about import requirements, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) imports team:

Centre for International Trade - Carlisle
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DX

Email: [email protected] 

Telephone: 03000 200 301