Support Health Attestations for export of products of animal origin and animal by-products

Guide

Last updated 30 December 2020

Products of animal origin (POAO) and animal by-products which are exported from Great Britain (GB) to the European Union (EU), including product moved from GB to Northern Ireland (NI), require an export health certificate (EHC) to demonstrate compliance with EU import requirements.

Where POAO originating in NI is intended for further export from GB to the EU, or movement back to NI, then NI to GB movements of POAO may require a Support Health Attestation (SHA) or in some cases a Support Attestation (SA).

An SHA is signed by an Authorised Certifying Officer (CO) and provides the necessary sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) assurances to allow completion of the final EHC in GB. It is not required to enter GB, and should therefore only be used where there is a clear need for assurance indicated by a certifying officer in GB.

Apply for a Support Health Attestation

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) have created a digital application system which exporters can use to apply for an SHA.

On DAERA's website, you can also find:

Apply for a Support Health Attestation online(link is external)

You should apply for an SHA at least two working days in advance of the date of movement of the product from NI. This is the date of loading of your consignment from premises of dispatch.

Relevant authorities

For more information on SHAs, see DAERA's guidance on movement of POAO and animal by-products(link is external).


First published 17 December 2020