The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is advising the UK seafood industry to urgently check out the EU's expanded definition of processing to make sure businesses are not caught out from 10 January 2026.
Many more UK businesses are now expected to have to complete processing statements as a result of changes to import controls being introduced by the EU in the New Year.
The changes to processing statement requirements are part of wider changes to the EU Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing regulations. As part of these updates, there will be changes for storage documents, to be named non-manipulation documents, and catch certificates.
Without correct documentation seafood exports from the UK may be delayed or stopped altogether, so businesses need to check now whether their operations will fall under the new processing definition.
MMO's Fish, Trace, Ship campaign is urging all sectors of the seafood industry to check out its Frequently Asked Questions guidance to assess whether the changes to processing statements will apply to them.
To keep exports flowing smoothy, MMO is updating the Fish Export Service (FES) to ensure the IT system can provide enhanced processing statements, catch certificates and other documentation required by the EU from 10 January 2026.
For processing, businesses will be affected if:
- Their goods are caught and landed by a UK vessel
- Then processed in the UK before export
The definition of processing has been expanded to mean any seafood that has been cut, filleted, canned, smoked, salted, cooked, pickled, dried, or otherwise prepared for market.
Fish which has only been frozen and/or packed will not require a processing statement.
Processing statements will also need to show the weights of each type of seafood that has contributed to each processed product.
Nick Greenwood, MMO's Head of Marine Protection and Operations Services, said: "The changes to processing documentation will almost certainly mean businesses that have not had to supply processing statements so far will have to start doing so in January.
"Our message is that you need to make sure you know whether this affects your business right now - and take action if it does.
"We're committed to supporting every sector of the supply chain to be ready by delivering clear guidance and engagement events - so our advice is to get on board with Fish, Trace, Ship right now.
"We want to work with industry to make sure that no business is unprepared for the changes. Adapting early will make for a smoother transition."
