2.

Agency responsible: Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

3.

Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where applicable): Wool, fine or coarse animal hair; Horsehair yarn and woven fabric (HS code(s): 51)

4.

Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:

[X] All trading partners

[ ] Specific regions or countries:

5.

Title of the notified document: Declaration of special measures: Importation of untreated wool and hair of susceptible animals from certain third countries and territories the trade in animals and related products Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/1197); Declaration of special measures: Foot-and-mouth disease importation of untreated wool and hair of susceptible animals from certain third countries and territories the trade in animals and related products (Scotland) Regulations 2012; Declaration of special measures: Importation of untreated wool and hair of foot-and-mouth disease susceptible animals from certain third countries and territories (Wales) the trade in animals and related products (Wales) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/2379 (W. 252)). Language(s): English. Number of pages:

6.

Description of content: These declarations of special measures are necessary to prevent the incursion of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) to the United Kingdom.

The measures prohibit the import of untreated wool and hair of animals susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease from any countries, or zones within countries, that are not recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) as free of foot-and-mouth disease – either with or without vaccination. This is in line with the recommendation set down in Article 8.8.30 of the WOAH Terrestrial Code.

For recognized FMD-free zones within countries that are not recognized by WOAH as wholly free of foot-and-mouth disease, the measures establish additional certification requirements for imports of untreated wool and hair of animals susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease. These requirements require guarantees that the products concerned have originated and been dispatched from a zone recognized as free of foot-and-mouth disease by the World Organisation for Animal Health.

7.

Objective and rationale: [ ] food safety, [X] animal health, [ ] plant protection, [ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [ ] protect territory from other damage from pests.

8.

Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action: The conditions for imports of untreated wool and hair into Great Britain from animals susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease need to be strengthened to manage an urgent biosecurity risk. The biosecurity risk of foot-and-mouth disease incursion could have significant animal health and economic consequences to the United Kingdom. Action is required to limit imports to only countries and zones that are recognized by the World Organization of Animal Health as free of foot-and-mouth disease.

9.

Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard:

[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g. title or serial number of Codex standard or related text):

[X] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. Terrestrial or Aquatic Animal Health Code, chapter number): Article 8.8.30

[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number):

[ ] None

Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?

[X] Yes   [ ] No

PIf no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the international standard:

10.

Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:

Declarations of special measures, covering imports into England, Scotland and Wales, have been made under:

• the Trade in Animals and Related Products (England) Regulations 2011;

• the Trade in Animals and Related Products (Wales) Regulations 2011;

• the Trade in Animals and Related Products (Scotland) Regulations 2012.

These declarations can be accessed here, under the heading 'Declaration of special measures: importation of untreated wool and hair of susceptible animals for certain third countries and territories '[LM1]: Imports, exports and EU trade of animals and animal products: topical issues - GOV.UK".

In addition, a new export health certificate has been issued to accompany imports of untreated wool and hair from animals susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease from recognised FMD-free zones within countries that are not recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health as wholly free of foot-and-mouth disease. A copy of the health certificate can be found here: Certificate (available in English).

11.

Date of entry into force (dd/mm/yy)/period of application (as applicable): 17 January 2025

[ ] Trade facilitating measure

12.

Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [X] National Notification Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:

UK WTO SPS National Notification Authority and Enquiry Point

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Seacole Building

2 Marsham St

London SW1P 4DF

E-mail: uksps@defra.gov.uk

13.

Text(s) available from: [X] National Notification Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:

UK WTO SPS National Notification Authority and Enquiry Point

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Seacole Building

2 Marsham St

London SW1P 4DF

E-mail: uksps@defra.gov.uk