Regulator Profile
APHA
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Enforcement Regulator4
Areas of regulation
37
Laws enforced
UK-wide
Quick links
Animal Health
Disease Control
Export Certification
Plant Health
What APHA does
Safeguards animal and plant health for the benefit of people, environment and economy. Issues export health certificates, manages disease outbreaks, operates veterinary investigation centres. Enforces animal welfare, disease control, and plant health regulations. Key role in preventing spread of notifiable diseases.
Additional information
Executive agency of Defra, Welsh Government, and Scottish Government. Pet Travel helpline: 0370 241 1710. Plant Health helpline: 0300 1000 313.
Legal framework
Legislation that APHA enforces.
Primary legislation
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) Act 1981
- Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991 Act 1991
- Agriculture Act 2020 Act 2020
- Animal Health Act 1981 Act 1981
- Animal Welfare Act 2006 Act 2006
- Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 Act 1960
- European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 Act 2020
- Finance Act 2025 Act 2025
- Fisheries Act 2020 Act 2020
- Forestry Act 1967, Section 24 Act 1967
- Riding Establishments Acts 1964 and 1970 Act 1964
- Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 Act 1967
Secondary legislation
- Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 UK Statutory Instrument 2015
- SSAFO Regulations 2010 UK Statutory Instrument 2010
- Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2025 UK Statutory Instrument 2025
- Agriculture (Safety of Children and Young Persons) Regulations 1956 UK Statutory Instrument 1956
- Animals (Penalty Notices) (England) Regulations 2023 UK Statutory Instrument 2023
- Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 UK Statutory Instrument 2006
- Cattle Compensation (England) Order 2019 UK Statutory Instrument 2019
- Cattle Identification Regulations 2007 UK Statutory Instrument 2007
- Disease Control (England) Order 2003 UK Statutory Instrument 2003
- Electricity (Class Exemptions from the Requirement for a Licence) Order 2001 UK Statutory Instrument 2001
- ... and 15 more statutory instruments
Sectors regulated
Agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and pets
Health, welfare and veterinary services