From 31 January 2024 importers of medium-risk Target Operating Model (TOM) products of animal origin and animal by-products will be required to obtain an export health certificate from their suppliers within the European Union. The regulations the implemented have been been suspended since 31 December 2020 when the United Kingdom left the customs union of European Union, in order to limit the impact of the transition.
To provide support to businesses that frequently import products of animal origin - for example poultry, beef, porcine and fish products from the European Union in chilled or frozen format, and animal by-products, the UK government plans to introduce an Accredited Trusted Trader Scheme, that will make the process of moving cargo accompanied by export health certificates quicker, and also reduce documentary and physical checks on the cargo.
They are currently initiating a pilot of the scheme, which is likely to present an opportunity for grocery and wholesale traders to have their input on what parts of the scheme are useful, and what could be improved, in addition to providing training in advance of the introduction of the new border operating model.
Further details of how to apply to participate in the pilot scheme are available below.
Expression of Interest: Accredited Trusted Trader Scheme (ATTS) Pilots
The Expression of Interest (EoI) for the Accredited Trusted Trader Scheme (ATTS) is now live.
What is ATTS?
The proposed ATTS is a scheme aimed towards frequent importers of ‘medium risk’ Products of Animal Origin (POAO) and Animal By-Products (ABP) from the European Union (EU) and the Rest of World (RoW).  
ATTS has been designed with a modular framework which will provide businesses with flexibility and choice in how they engage with the Trusted Trader approach. Businesses will be able to build a package of facilitations that aligns with their specific operational needs rather than needing to engage with a one-size-fits-all solution. Each module will be piloted as a first step to determine if the module will be included as part of the scheme indefinitely.
The Border Target Operating Model (TOM) has now been published and can be viewed here, for further details on the Trusted Trader scheme, please review the Trusted Trader section within the TOM (P.44 – P.47)
How does the trader apply for the pilots?
The Expression of Interest will be open from 11th September 2023 to the 6th October 2023. Please refer to the application form on gov.uk for further details. In order to be considered for the EOI, all applications must be completed in full otherwise your application may be rejected.
Who can apply?
Providing that a business meets the minimum entry requirements to become a member of the ATTS, it will have the option of applying for different facilitations on a modular basis. These include conducting checks away from the border, simplifying the certification process for goods moving to Great Britain from a consolidation hub, and sharing supply chain data with the UK Government in return for a reduction in checks at the border proportionate to the level of assurance provided by the data. Please refer to the EOI policy document for full details of the membership criteria on gov.uk
What are the modules that a trader can apply for?
Certification Logistics module
This module focuses on streamlining the certification process for animal products. It allows an Export Health Certificate to be used from the point of origin of the goods (e.g. a manufacturing site) without the need for re-certification at a consolidation hub in the EU prior to dispatch to Great Britain. This is as long as the Trusted Trader can provide acceptable assurances regarding the biosecurity integrity of the goods in the interim, throughout transport, storage and any limited manipulation that is permitted. This benefit will initially be limited to packaged medium-risk POAO and ABP which originate from the EU.
The Certification Logistics module will initially be available only to traders importing goods into Great Britain from EU/EFTA countries.
Checks Away from the Border module
This module would allow frequent importers of animal products to reduce the need for routine physical checks at the Border Control Posts by taking responsibility for carrying out checks at other locations, to ensure the protection of biosecurity, animal and public health whilst being closely regulated by Government. The checks carried out by the trusted trader at their own site will not necessarily replicate the BCP model but will provide equivalent biosecurity and public health assurance to Government. This benefit can be applied to medium-risk POAO and ABP. This benefit will be available initially to traders importing goods from both the EU/EFTA countries and the Rest of the World.
Journey Assurance module
This module will consider how supply chain data and technology already utilised by businesses could be drawn upon to provide biosecurity and public health assurances. The precise benefits associated with this module would need to be determined as part of the co-design and pilot phases, but one possibility envisaged that it would be a proportionate reduction in the level of checks based on the assurance secured via the relevant technology.  This benefit can be applied to medium-risk POAO and ABP. This benefit will be available initially to traders importing goods from both the EU/EFTA countries and the Rest of the World.
When will the pilots take place?
The pilot of the Certification Logistics module will begin in January 2024. Pilots for the other modules will operate from April 2024.
Defra will conduct an Expression of Interest process to provide an opportunity for a representative range of businesses to participate in the pilots delivered in 2024
Help and further information
If you would like to know further information, please visit here You can also get in contact with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs here
© Trader Engagement & Readiness Team
© Biosecurity, Borders and Trade Programme
© Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.