Thanks to input from Marcus Bates & Rob Grinnall of UKECP (UK Export Certification Partnership), please see below some positive news on the BCP situation which has been frustrating exports of live breeding animals since Brexit. This has been sent by Richard Saunders on behalf of British Livestock Genetics Consortium.
This is a great step forward to reopening export markets which are badly needed for our former partners in the EU member states.
BORDER CONTROL POST UPDATE – TARGETED OPENING ENVISAGED
UK Livestock Industry Set to Relaunch at EuroTier
The prospect of a BCP (Border Control Post) into Europe at the end of the year is the focus of a campaign to get UK breeders to relaunch themselves in the EU and global markets at EuroTier, the world’s largest indoor livestock exhibition, being held 12-15 November 2024 in Hannover, Germany.
A regular and successful presence at the event, there will again be a joint British Livestock stand in the main Breeding & Livestock Hall (Hall 11) supported by cattle, sheep and pig societies alongside breeding (AI & ET) and other associated companies. Held every two years, EuroTier boasts 150,000+ visitors and over 2,300 exhibitors – half of whom are international companies – and allows British farming and breeding organisations to promote themselves on the global stage.
An unfortunate consequence of Brexit was the loss of access to the EU for live breeding stock on the Calais and Hook of Holland routes. This has caused a huge inconvenience to the export of top-quality livestock from the UK. Some were able to make the long route via Eire, but the cost and journey time was prohibitive and then with the emergence of BTV in November 2023, even this limited route was halted.
“However, thanks to huge effort and lengthy negotiations led by Mr John Royle, NFU Chief Livestock Adviser, and others within the industry, there is light at the end of the shipping tunnel! John has worked tirelessly to agree and work on development of a Border Control Post (BCP) at Hook which will allow the movement of sheep and cattle from the UK to the EU on Stena shipping,” said Rob Grinnall, consultant to the UK Export Certification Partnership (UKECP).
Construction of the equine centre has been completed and an application for listing as a BCP for ungulates/ruminants is being submitted. This will open the market for the EU and beyond after 6 years of difficulty, and we anticipate that there could be a huge demand for livestock from buyers who have been frustrated by the absence of this BCP.
The forthcoming British Livestock Stand at EuroTier (stand 11F12) is expected to prove a timely springboard for the relaunch of British-bred livestock exports in 2025 and beyond.
For further information on the Border Control Post opening, please contact UKECP Consultant Rob Grinnall E: admin@ukecp.com
To find out more about the British Livestock stand at EuroTier, please contact Richard Saunders (British Livestock Genetics Consortium) E: richardsaunders1965@yahoo.co.uk
