The export conundrum

There have already been plenty of challenges in 2021 so far, and the exportation of horses and other goods out of the UK and into the European Union (EU) has been the source of many of them for veterinary surgeons involved, often performing dual roles as private advisors to their clients and as Official Veterinarians (OVs) on behalf of DEFRA. Many have experienced difficulties in exporting live horses, with some having export health certificates rejected at the border. The system OVs had become used to was so efficient and relatively straightforward that they could not have predicted the degree of difficulty since encountered. There have been several thousands of movements between the UK and Ireland and mainland Europe in 2021 and this has been associated with many hours of stress, worry and thousands of stamps and signatures. There have been many different interpretations of the health certificates and acceptance has been inconsistent. Sometimes the wording in the health certificate doesn't seem to make sense and the nuances of the language need to be understood. However, the only way we OVs can learn is to have feedback from our colleagues at DEFRA and from the EU borders. This is beginning to be fed back to OVs. We can also learn from fellow OVs in the field and those that have shared their experiences have provided valuable feedback. There are flaws in the systems and services in place but OVs all need to work together to overcome these challenges. There have been opportunities for colleagues; those who have taken up the products qualification, enabling them to certify other goods to the EU, are fulfilling roles essential to maintain trade with the EU.