The UK government is determined to boost its certification capacity in order to meet the rising demand for certification following Brexit
Louise Macpherson has been a vet for fifteen years. She now spends a portion of her time certifying products to be exported by being an Official Veterinarian (OV). She began her career with a practice in North Yorkshire and now works at Taylor Veterinary Practice, a small animal clinic located in Glasgow that forms part of IVC Evidensia. She is currently working three days per week, certifying exporting of products to countries outside of the EU.
Louise typically certifies fish and other fish by-products to export, however her duties also cover many other items, including certifying everything from caramel wafers to sauces.
Louise says she enjoys the variety of OV activities: “I’m nosy by nature and enjoy exploring different businesses and warehouses. It’s a feeling that sometimes we are within a bubble of vets which is why it’s fascinating to go on tours around factories and see places I don’t usually see.”
As of January 1, 2021, companies will require an Export Health Certificate (EHC) for exports of animals and products from the EU. This is expected to support about PS5 billion of trade in the EU. The certification of live animals as well as products derived from animals is done through the OV or, for specific items, Food Competent Certifying Officers (FCCOs) in local authorities.
For Louise believes that vets have an important role to play in helping companies export their products. “I have a lot satisfaction from having a part in the process aiding customers to sell their goods; if they didn’t have vets who are certified like me, they would not be able to sell their products in some countries. My job is going to become more crucial beginning in January, assisting farmers, traders, and the country exports towards the EU. I am very pleased to seal the truck, watching it go into sunset, knowing that I’ve helped it to arrive at the final destination.”
The government is determined to expand the capacity of certification in order to handle the increase in need for certified services. One of the options is Defra financing the training required. This includes the most recent round of funding at PS500,000 for training in OV to ensure export certification for animals, equines and ungulates, as well as the Certification Support Officer (CSO) education. Certification Support Officers are able to use CSOs to check the authenticity of the evidence and to collect the necessary documentation for the certification of a shipment (Box 1 Note 32/20 in the OV briefing).
Defra has set aside funds to support Official Veterinarian (OV) course to assist with export certification for animals, equines, and ungulates, as well as the Certification Support Officer (CSO) education. The funding will enable vets to obtain an Official Controls Qualification (Veterinary) in Ungulate Exports (OCQ(V) — UX) and Equinine Exports (OCQ(V) Equine Exports (OCQ(V) – EQ) as well as Products Exports (OCQ(V) PX). Additionally, if they haven’t already offered, the pre-requisite course Essential Skills (OCQ(V) – Essential Skills (OCQ(V) -) as well as Exports General (OCQ(V) EX) are funded. Further details on how to apply to funding on the shorting notes.
There are also subsidized places to train basic Certified Support Officers (CSOs) who aid Certifying Officers with the provision of health certificates for exports for products made from animals. CSOs’ use is anticipated to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of OVs when it comes to providing export certification for products made from animals. Veterinary surgeons could think about whether the existing staff members in the practice might be suitable to receive this type of training. They might also want to hire new staff in prior to the expiration of the transitional period to prepare for the increasing demand for certifications at the time of the year’s end and also to make use of the opportunity to receive training funded by the government.
Louise believes that there is an untruth among vets regarding what goes into OV work for certification. They worry about it being extremely technical, as well as boring and dry in comparison to caring for animals. But, she insists that isn’t: “I find being an OV to be very varied and fascinating. Every day is different based on the products I’m certificating. It’s not necessary to be an expert in treating fish, for instance it’s all about transferable abilities. The notes on guidance that accompany EHCs might seem complicated, but when you dig into them, they’re not as complex as it appears when the first glance (Box 2.). Once you’ve gotten beyond the language and the listing of the laws that apply to the product They are generally easy to read and include the necessary information to be able to verify the goods.This generally involves verifying those numbers that are health approved for the factories and production facilities. For more complicated or processed items such as sauces it could require an understanding of the process by examining companies’ HACCP plans list of ingredients, along with lists of vendors.”
Businesses have been in contact to Louise’s Louise Macpherson practice, and they have been assisting them, preparing for the conclusion of the transitional period. She is convinced that there will be a significant rise in the number of certifications, and this will create the opportunity for practices. She encourages vets to take the course, as there is plenty of jobs available.
“As an undergraduate student in the field of vet medicine, I didn’t think I’d be involved in this type of work. However, it’s extremely enjoyable and becoming increasingly important to complete – not just for vets, but across the entire nation in order to make sure that commerce stays going after the conclusion of that transitional period.”
After you have completed your training and if your company already possess export OCQ(V)s Please ensure that your company is registered with EHC Online which is the online service that businesses exporting to and certifiers can make use of to submit and administer EHC applications. Exporting businesses will select your company as their certified certifier through EHC Online whenever they file EHC applications. It is the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is the federal agency responsible for overseeing and directing the issuance of EHCs. APHA performs checks and ensures that the procedure is properly followed before EHCs can be issued. As a certifier, you’ll not be eligible to receive certificates from APHA If you’re unregistered with EHC Online. If you require help in when registering with EHC Online or are having technical or operational questions pertaining to the EHC application, you can check the APHA Official Vet Gateway where guidance is available. Check whether your practice doesn’t already have already an EHC Online account before registering. You might also wish to register your vet clinic on the gov.uk page, which could assist businesses in finding a certified.
