About Us

Manchester Port Health Authority is the Local Authority for the Manchester Ship Canal and River Weaver including the ports of Eastham, Ellesmere, Manisty, Stanlow, Ince, Weston, Runcorn, Partington, Irlam, and Salford. The Authority, originally Manchester Port Sanitary Authority, was established in 1896 following the designation of the Manchester Ship Canal as a customs port.

The latest Port Health Order amended in 2009 (following the creation of Cheshire West and Chester Council) sets out the area of jurisdiction for the Authority.

Today the Authority is responsible for a wide range of public health controls including:

Ship sanitation inspections and the issuance of Ship Sanitation Certificates
Food Standards, Food Safety and Water Quality (ships and land)
Infectious disease control
Environmental Protection
Pest control
Emergency planning

The Authority is managed by Chief Port Health Officer Andrea Smith, 2 full time Officers (Environmental Health Officers), 1 part time Officer, 1 Office Manager and 1 Relief Officer (Environmental Health Officer/Technical Officer).

The Port of Manchester does not currently have a Border Control Post. If you have any enquiries about importing food into the U.K. please contact the port through which the goods will be imported. Contact details can be found here.