Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness of the process and (b) adequacy of support available for obtaining model EHCs for exports of animal by-products to third countries; and what steps he plans to take to speed up the process for opening up new trading routes for those products.

Since leaving the EU, we are an independent trading nation and we will use our voice to champion free trade and lower barriers to trade.

In line with these ambitions, I am pleased to confirm that there is an established process for obtaining model Export Health Certificates (EHCs) for exports of animal by-products. Agreed EHCs for all commodities can be obtained from GOV.UK. Applicants can use the website to search, view and apply for the relevant Export Health Certificate to facilitate trade in their commodity.

In addition to this, some Export Health Certificates are even more accessible, and can be applied for via the EHC online system which reduces some of the manual procedures previously in place. This process is under iterative review in order to ensure improvements can be made for the future.