Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Lord Lilley (Conservative) on Monday, 2 February 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 February 2026. It was answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour) on Thursday, 12 March 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Export Health Certificates

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the removal of export health certificates within the UK–EU sanitary and phytosanitary zone, whether exporters of animals and animal products will require an intra-union animal health certificate when crossing borders of European Union member states; and if so, what estimate they have made of the cost of those certificates.

Answer

We have begun negotiations with the EU on an SPS agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and removing barriers to trade for British producers and retailers.

We are seeking to negotiate a deal under which Export Health Certificates (EHCs) and associated checks and fees will no longer be needed for the majority of goods. However, as is currently the case for movements between member states, live animals and germinal products will require an intra EU certificate, which is simpler than existing third country EHCs. We have not estimated the costs of these Intra Trade Animal Health Certificates.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL14192
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Export health certificates
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk