The EU has placed the UK on a list of countries respecting EU health standards, reducing the need for extra checks on livestock products in case of a no-deal Brexit, the British Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced this Wednesday.

This means companies trading such products between Ireland and the UK can continue to use the EU's Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) online system system to facilitate advance notification of shipments and checks, even if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal this Friday.

The UK had previously been developing its own entirely new system, raising the prospect of costs and delays for exporters and importers.

UK to EU

"The EU has now listed the UK as a ‘third country’. This means the EU has accepted that the UK meets the health requirements for trade with the EU. It ensures that exports of animals and animal products can continue from the UK to the EU if the UK leaves the EU without a deal," new DEFRA guidelines say.

UK exporters will still need to show an export health certificate and present their livestock products at border inspection points, but can do so through the TRACES system.

The guidelines do not detail specific rules for trade from Northern Ireland to the Republic.

“Amidst all of the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, the listed status application approval is a very welcome piece of news," said British Veterinary Association president Simon Doherty.

“This announcement will bring some relief to vets and farmers who have been worried about the significant welfare and economic implications of not being able to move animals under a no-deal Brexit.”

EU to UK

Updated DEFRA guidelines also confirm that the UK will recognise Irish and other EU livestock products as safe.

"If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, from 11pm on 12 April 2019, exporters in the EU can continue to use the EU’s TRACES to notify the UK of imports from the EU," the guidelines added.

Only live animals and germinal products require a separate declaration to the UK's Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

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