The Government agrees that providing transparency to the risk-based assessment models is of benefit and have outlined the regime below. For SPS controls, our approach under the BTOM is a risk-based regime covering live animals, germinal products, products of animal origin, animal by-products, plants and plant products. SPS goods are categorised based on the inherent risk (high, medium or low) that the commodity poses to animal health and welfare, food safety and biosecurity, alongside any risk specific to the country of origin. The level of controls applied are proportionate to the risk, for example the prevalence of pests or diseases and the standard of official health controls. In developing and implementing the global import model for SPS goods the UK has balanced the need to protect against biosecurity and public health threats; the need to give businesses and trading partners time to prepare, and so prevent disruption for consumers; and minimising adverse trade impacts. The risk assessment and management approach is explained in the published BTOM in Section 1: Border Target Operating Model for Imports. Further information on the principles and methodology of the risk assessment process for food safety and animal health can be found in the peer-reviewed papers published in a special issue of the Microbial Risk Analysis journal: • Food safety: An approach to risk categorization of Products of Animal Origin imported into the United Kingdom – ScienceDirect. • Animal health: An international disease monitoring tool to estimate the likelihood of entry of animal health hazards from legal trade of live animals and products of animal origin imported from different countries (IDM+) – ScienceDirect. • An overview of the animal health risk assessment approach has also been published on GOV.UK: International Disease Monitoring Plus (IDM+) tool: overview – GOV.UK. • For plants and plant products the risk categorisation was developed following a public consultation in 2021, which recognised that plants are inherently higher risk than produce but also recognises the intended use of plants. We have also published: • BTOM import risk categories, inspection rates and related rules for: ○ For animals and animal products, EU countries: Check risk categories for animals and animal products imported from the EU to Great Britain – GOV.UK and Non-EU countries: Check import risk categories, inspection rates and related rules for animals and animal products imported from non-EU countries to Great Britain – GOV.UK which contain links to summary tables setting out risk categorisation ○ EU countries and non-EU countries for plants and plant products: BTOM risk categorisations – UK Plant Health Information Portal and the Plant Health information import rules: Check plant health information and import rules – GOV.UK. As well as additional guidance setting out inspection rates Frequency of plant health import inspections across GB – UK Plant Health Information Portal • Further guidance linking risk categorisation to commodity codes in the form of searchable lists for: ○ EU countries (animals and animal products): BTOM risk categories for live animals and animal products imported from EU countries to Great Britain ○ Non-EU countries (animals and animal products): BTOM_risk_ categories_for_live_animals_and_animal_products_imported_ from_non-EU_countries_to_Great_Britain.xlsx ○ Plants and plant products commodity code list: How to Locate Commodity Codes - UK Plant Health Information Portal The BTOM risk categorisation is a dynamic process drawing on the most current data and reflecting changes in: Pest and disease status • animal and public health hazard analysis • compliance history • data associated with pest or disease outbreak in the exporting country • transmission data • risk mitigation treatments and restrictions • compliance data In relation to plants and plant products, the application of pest risk analysis and other technical measures relevant to the implementation of border controls is grounded in internationally recognised standards, which serve to uphold phytosanitary principles and facilitate safe and regulated international trade. These factors underpin the BTOM risk categorisation and border check inspection rates. An important aspect of BTOM risk categorisation is the demonstration of the effectiveness of the official controls in the exporting country of which accurate and correct certification forms a significant part. Health certificates provide appropriate levels of assurance as they require authorised officials in exporting countries to certify that the goods have been produced to the safe standards required by the importing country; as such, accurate certification is a cornerstone of SPS controls and is considered as part of BTOM risk categorisation.