Bringing Specified Animal Pathogens into GB
Source: gov.uk (2025-02-11)

Find out about the licences you need and rules you must follow to import Specified Animal Pathogens into England, Scotland and Wales.

Specified Pathogens are viruses and other infectious agents that must be controlled and contained to prevent their release or escape into the environment. If Specified Pathogens are released, they can cause serious animal or human disease. A full list of these pathogens can be found in the relevant Specified Animal Pathogens Order:
- England SAPO Order 2008 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/944/contents)
- Wales SAPO Order 2008 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2008/1270/contents/made)
- Scotland SAPO Order 2009 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2009/45/contents/made)
If you need to import a pathogen or carrier not covered by SAPO legislation, check Importing known animal pathogens or carriers not covered by the Specified Animal Pathogens Order (SAPO) into GB (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bringing-non-specified-animal-pathogens-or-carriers-into-the-uk)

Before you import Specified Animal Pathogens

Before you can import Specified Animal Pathogens into England, Scotland or Wales, you must have a valid Specified Animal Pathogens Order (SAPO) licence.

SAPO licences are issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Once you have a valid SAPO licence, follow these steps before you import your consignment.
- Complete a notification form (AP05) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e8498eee90e0706f8976d4c/ap05-sapo-notification.doc) (MS Word Document, 73.5 KB).
- Email your notification form and a copy of your SAPO licence to the Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). You must do this at least one working day before the import is sent from the country of origin. Importers that are frequently receiving consignments may be able to agree an alternative regular notification system with the APHA Imports team.
- APHA will acknowledge your notification to import the Specified Animal Pathogen
- Print a copy of the general licence (#download-and-print-a-general-licence) and attach it to your consignment.
Importing Specified Animal Pathogens into Northern Ireland

For more information on importing animal pathogens into Northern Ireland (http://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/importing-material-diagnostic-and-research-purposes).

Download and print a general licence

Use these licences to import Specified Animal Pathogens to England, Scotland and Wales from any country.

Choose the licence you need based on the planned port of entry, not the destination you’re shipping to.

For example, if you’re importing to a Scottish laboratory but your consignment will enter the UK at Heathrow Airport, use the English general licence.

Download:
- an English general licence (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6798be42cbd1e3a508a22d3e/IV69_England_.pdf) (PDF, 91.5 KB, 2 pages)
- a Welsh general licence (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6798be57cbd1e3a508a22d40/IV69_Wales_.pdf) (PDF, 91.7 KB, 2 pages) or Welsh general licence (Welsh translation) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6798be65419bdbc8514fdf31/IV69_Wales_-_Welsh_.pdf) (PDF, 90.3 KB, 2 pages)
- a Scottish general licence (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6798be70cbd1e3a508a22d41/IV69_Scotland_.pdf) (PDF, 69.6 KB, 2 pages)
You must comply with all the conditions on the general licence.

Help with general licence

For more information on using theses licences, contact the APHA imports team:

Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx

Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Moving Specified Animal Pathogens after they arrive in GB

You can move imported Specified Animal Pathogens to another SAPO licensed laboratory after they arrive in the UK. The laboratory must be approved to handle and store the pathogen concerned. You do not need a transfer licence to move these pathogens - but they must be suitably packaged.