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<p>We recognise there will be an increased demand for Export Health Certificates (EHCs)
in the event the UK leaves the EU without a deal.</p><p> </p><p>Our aim has been to
support the market in meeting likely demand by increasing the number of trained Official
Veterinarians (OVs) by providing free certification training.</p><p> </p><p>The number
of trained OVs has increased from around 600 in February 2019 to more than 1000 currently,
there are around 250 who have registered but not yet completed this training. We have
been contacting this group, encouraging them to complete the training as soon as possible.</p><p>
</p><p>In Great Britain, OVs operate in the private sector and over time we would
expect the market to match supply and demand. Understanding what this means for certifying
capacity is difficult as we cannot know how many hours a week these OVs will spend
on certifying exports and to what extent their availability will respond to price
incentives.</p><p> </p><p>To support Local Authority Environmental Health Officers
(EHOs) and Official Veterinarians, we have created a Certification Support Officer
(CSO) role and funded training. CSOs will handle a number of preparatory and administrative
aspects of EHCs (checking documents, identifying products or sealing containers),
freeing up EHO or OV time and capacity to provide the final assurance required. To
date, in GB, we have 70 authorised CSOs.</p><p> </p><p>EHCs for fish and fish products
are primarily certified by Local Authority EHOs and OVs mainly certify EHCs for Animals
and Products of Animal Origin (POAO).</p>
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