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  • Authorised Veterinary Practice (AVP) –Official Certification via DAERA Export Certification System (DECS)

    Topics:
    • Animal Health, Welfare and Trade, 
    • Exporting Animals and Animal Products from Northern Ireland to GB, EU and Third Countries (Including guidance and application point for DAERA Export Certificate System (DECS))

    Date published: 9 October 2023

    Last updated: 7 July 2026

    For Authorised Veterinary Practices (AVPs) who deliver export certification via the DAERA Export Certification System (DECS), the process of accessing, reviewing and certifying those applications is managed by one of two different methods.

    • Online AVP Portal

    • Offline AVP Certification

    Online AVP Portal

    The AVP Portal is an online service providing access to the DECS system.  Using the AVP Portal, veterinary practices can:

    • see new, in progress and processed applications
    • manage workload allocations within the practice
    • view, download and print EHCs and supporting documents
    • assess EHC applications, and
    • upload copies of issued EHCs

    The AVP Portal provides a secure (via individual user Government Gateway login) and convenient way of managing EHC applications for your practice.

    Export applications made via DECS are subject to an initial DAERA Customer Services check ensuring details are appropriate and that all required documents have been provided. DAERA staff then transfer the application to the relevant AVP Portal.

    The AVP is advised by email notification that an application is available for processing. The email contains a link to the AVP Portal login screen. Alternatively the AVP can log into the AVP Portal at any time to review export applications.

    A User Guide explaining how to access and certify using the AVP Portal can be found in the Documents section below.

    You can keep up to date with improvements to the service by visiting the aPVP Bulletins and Briefing Notes page on DAERA Internet.

    If your practice has an AVP Portal account, click here AVP Portal to log in. 

    Offline AVP Certification

    For AVPs who have not yet arranged access to the AVP Portal system, the DECS system temporarily facilitates offline access to essential information and documentation to facilitate certification.

    When the EHC application has been checked and all required documents are available, DAERA staff will make the EHC, supporting documents and other relevant information, available to the AVP nominated by the exporter.

    The relevant AVP will be advised by email notification that an EHC is available for certification.

    The email contains:

    • A summary of the export, including commodity type and destination
    • Guidance on certification
    • Link to a unique webpage where the AVP can:
      • Access the EHC and any other supporting documents
      • Upload a scanned copy of the issued EHC

    A Guide explaining how to certify EHCs using the Offline AVP Certification process can be found in the Documents section below.

    PLEASE NOTE: Offline AVP Certification is a temporary arrangement – DAERA Trade Programme intend to transition all AVPs to the AVP Portal method of delivery of export certification in a phased approach over a period of next 12 months. 

     

     

     

     

    Documents

    • DECS Online AVP Portal Guide Adobe PDF (2.07 MB)
    • Offline AVP Certification: DECS Guidance for AVPs who do not have access to the AVP PortalAdobe PDF (298.08 KB)

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