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<p>We will continue to uphold the very highest international standards of food safety
and animal welfare when we leave the EU. Veterinary checks, required by non-EU countries,
are critical to these requirements and have been carried out for many years on live
animals (farm, equines, pets, exotics and rodents).</p><p> </p><p>European Commission
regulations stipulate that third country imports of live animals must be accompanied
by an export health certificate signed by an official vet and, for certain commodities,
such as fish for human consumption, by an Environmental Health Officer.</p><p> </p><p>No
other category of individual is being proposed and therefore discussions have not
been necessary.</p><p> </p><p>Only Official Vets can sign EHCs for live animals, as
they require a clinical examination, and this will continue when we leave the EU.</p><p>
</p><p>No other individual will be designated an authorised signatory for live animal
exports.</p><p> </p><p>In our technical guidance issued in September on exports of
animals and animal products if we leave the EU without a deal, we said: “EHCs would
need to be signed by an Official Veterinarian or authorised signatory following inspection
of the consignment.”</p><p> </p><p>The only other authorised signatories in this context
are officials certified by The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
(Cefas) for live fish exports such as tropical fish; and Environmental Health Officers
employed by local authorities to sign certificates for exports of fish for human consumption.</p><p>
</p><p>We are not proposing anyone other than an Official Vet will sign EHCs for live
animals, therefore, assurances from the EU are not required.</p>
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