No animal or genetic material may be consigned to another member State, or brought into England from another member State, unless it is accompanied by the completed, signed health certificate required for that animal or genetic material in the relevant instrument in Schedule 1.

The consignee of an incoming consignment must keep the certificate for at least three years.

In order to prepare a health certificate for the consignment of an animal or genetic material to another member State, the person intending to despatch the consignment must apply to the Secretary of State for a uniquely numbered certificate.

The certificate must then be completed by a person authorised to do so by the Secretary of State, in accordance with the instructions sent by the Secretary of State with the certificate.

The person completing the certificate must ensure that the conditions specified in the certificate are fulfilled and that all necessary examinations have been carried out.

If everything is in order the person must sign the certificate.

No person may sign a certificate unless authorised by the Secretary of State.

No person may sign a certificate knowing it to be false, or not believing it to be true.

No animal or genetic material may be consigned to another member State unless the consignor has notified the competent authority of the member State of destination, at least 24 hours in advance of the intended arrival of the consignment and using the Traces system established under Commission Decision 2004/292/EC (on the introduction of the Traces system6).

No animal or genetic material may be brought into England from another member State unless the person bringing in the consignment has notified the Secretary of State, at least 24 hours in advance of the intended arrival of consignment.