Published: 15th May 2024
Mersey Port Health Authority sought clarification on the risk categorisation of shelf-stable fishery products from species associated with histamine (species of the families Scombridae, Clupeidae, Engraulidae, Coryfenidae, Pomatomidae or Scombresosidae). Please note that this is not a change to any risk categorisations, all relevant gov.uk pages will be updated.
Imports of fishery products of the species susceptible to histamine formation are placed in the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) medium risk category, meaning import controls (Export Health Certificates (EHCs) and Identity / Physical Checks) apply. As per recent BTOM legislation, The Official Controls (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2024, all fishery products associated with histamine, irrespective of origin and including shelf stable goods, are considered medium risk category, and require an EHC.
Due to exceptional circumstances some EU traders will be allowed time to adapt following this clarification. Importers will ordinarily be required to provide an EHC. However, Port Health Authorities may use discretion and apply flexibility to EU importers for a period of three-months, i.e., until 15 August 2024. Importers of EU origin shelf-stable fishery products associated with histamine, will be permitted entry without an EHC, if traders are unable to obtain a certificate (usual commercial documents will still be required).
This flexibility does not extend to non-EU products and products originating from non-EU countries that have been imported into the EU: these products require an EHC.
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