Are you interested in/normally involved in exporting live breeding animals to the EU?

20^th January 2022

NSA continues to be frustrated by the absence of a Border Control Post (BCPs) with live animal facilities that would allow the movement of breeding sheep from GB to the EU. 

We have reported previously that one company, Qualivia, has plans to establish such a facility on the outskirts of Calais, but while this is still on the cards progress is slow and the site still has to finalise approvals before a business case is developed and funding secured.

The current situation is that since our departure from the EU, with the exception of some sheep moving to the Republic of Ireland, no sheep have moved across the English Channel to mainland Europe. Contrast this with the fact that livestock are coming in the other direction, from the EU into the UK, with APHA doing inspections at the farm of destination until Britain has established dedicated live animal BCPs - and plans for these are in place.

Breeders lost valuable sales of breeding sheep last Autumn and we are aware of some who have orders that they cannot yet fulfil. Sheep from Britain are in demand from multiple EU states now. The months will soon pass and the 2022 breeding sales season will be upon us before we know it.

Consequently, NSA is keen to apply more pressure to move this issue forward with more urgency and there are a number of things we can do. However, our case will be stronger, and solutions more likely, if we can gather information on breeders who have an interest in this trade. So, while we already know some members who are involved in exporting breeding sheep it would be helpful if breeders/prospective exporters would complete the below form to enable us to compile a list of contact with an interest in this area. 

Any information you are prepared to give in relation to the breeds you have an interest in and the potential/very approximate numbers of sheep you might expect to trade into the EU would be extremely helpful in building a case.

Be assured your personal information will not be shared, and will be handled in line with NSA’s Privacy Policy. Aggregated information will be used in an anonymous way to achieve the aims outlined above, and we will keep you informed of progress where relevant and possible.

Also available to download on this page are two letters from Christine Middlemiss (UK Chief Veterinary Officer) and Gavin Watkins (Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales), updating Veterinarians and Farmers/Owners of sheep and goats (for breeding and production) and their germplasm, of changes to export certification requirements relating to certain endemic diseases, for movements from Great Britain to the EU.