We’ve been informed that the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union has announced Civil Service industrial action from Monday 13 to Friday 24 February 2023 inclusive that may impact some Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) services.
This will include the services delivered by APHA’s Centre for International Trade Team such as the provision of certification, licences and expert advice on the following:
  • Imports and exports of animals (including pets and equines)
  • Imports and exports of animal products
  • Trade in plants and animals that are listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Therefore, to minimise the risk of potential delays, APHA is encouraging businesses which use these services to plan-ahead and submit any service-related requests to APHA in advance of the period of strike action.
We have been informed that there will be APHA coverage at the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow during those dates to cover animal imports.
Details of how to get in touch around APHA’s various services can be found in the Contact APHA section on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contact-apha.