DEFRA has confirmed a cases of Bluetongue Virus (BTV-3) in a cow in Kent.
As a result of confirmed cases of BTV-3, moves of all live ruminants from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (N)I is temporarily suspended, no update is available yet as to when this trade will be able to resume.
Please contact DAERA Trade Imports - daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk should you require further information.
Please see DAERA update at the following link.
Updates regarding the suspension will be published on the DAERA Website here
There are 5 types of sheep/goat imports from GB:
Breeding and production sheep and goats
Sheep or Goats from a holding member of the SMS Qualifying Scheme
Return of NI sheep or goats from approved show or sale in GB
Transiting NI from GB with destination in other EU MS
Breeding and Production Sheep and Goats
1. Identification requirements
The animals to be imported must be clearly and permanently identified by means of two ear tags which permit tracing of their premises of origin. The identification used must be in accordance with the requirements set out in The Sheep and Goat (Records, Identification and Movement) (England) Order 2009 or equivalent legislation in Scotland and Wales.
GB keepers who are selling or moving livestock to a keeper in NI will be expected to attach an “export” tag to animals printed with the country code ‘GB’, unless those animals already have the letters GB printed on their existing official ear tags.
2. Disease control import requirement
Port of entry Landing must take place at the port of Larne and the person in charge of the animals must report immediately following disembarkation to a Portal Inspector and must co-operate with DAERA staff as required. Animals may not leave the Port until a Portal Inspector has authorised such departure.
Pre notification All consignments of sheep or goats must be pre-notified to DAERA at Larne Harbour on TRACES-NT using a CHED-A. The importer or person responsible for the consignment must be registered on TRACES NT before the import can take place. Guidance on TRACES NT registration, pre-notification and CHED A completion can be found at this link . Pre-notification on TRACES NT must be completed at least 24 hours before arrival.
Isolation facility for non-Maedi Visna accredited sheep an isolation facility requires to be approved at premises of destination prior to import. The isolation facilities must have been inspected and approved by an Inspector of DAERA at least 2 working days prior to import. Please contact your local DVO to arrange an inspection. You can find the contact details for your local DVO on the DAERA website: DAERA Direct Regional offices | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera-ni.gov.uk)
Import licence You must apply to DAERA Trade Imports Section via daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk (028 90524588) at least 10 working days prior to import to obtain a Specific import licence permitting you to import animals from Great Britain. The application form is available here
Export health certificate (EHC) and supplementary certificate The animals to be imported must be accompanied by an original health certificate EHC 8448, a supplementary certificate and a schedule giving details of the individual ear numbers, breed, sex and age of the animals to which it related and the registration number of the vehicle in which the animals are being transported to Northern Ireland (NI). The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed here The health certificate must certify that, within 24 hours of export to NI all the animals described on the health certificate were examined and found to be healthy, free from clinical evidence of infectious or contagious disease and were fit to travel. The health certificate and the schedule must be signed by an Official Veterinarian (OV) appointed by the appropriate authority in Great Britain. Fulfilment of these conditions is a matter for consideration between the exporter and their OV in GB. The supplementary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed here. It must also be signed by an Official Veterinarian (OV) appointed by the appropriate authority in Great Britain.
Cleansing and disinfection The transport vehicle must be cleansed so as to remove all visible organic matter. It must be disinfected with a disinfectant approved by Defra prior to loading of the animals. During transport the imported animals must not come into contact with animals that are not certified as being of the same health status.
Any standstill period as a result of movements of animals onto the holding of origin, as imposed by The Disease Control (England) Order 2003 (or equivalent legislation in Scotland and Wales) has been complied with.
Uncastrated rams for breeding or production must for 60 days have been on a holding that has been free from brucellosis for 1 year and they must have undergone a fixation test within 30 days of dispatch to NI to detect epididymitis with result <50 IU/ml
Scrapie status information Breeding sheep and goats moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland must either:
- Originate from a Scrapie Monitored holding.
- Be proven to have the ARR/ARR prion protein genotype and come from a holding where no official restriction has been imposed due to BSE or Classical Scrapie during the last two years.
- Originate from a holding where no official movement restriction has been imposed due to BSE or Classical Scrapie during the last three years, applied to join the Scrapie Monitored Scheme (SMS) before 1 January 2022 and undertaken to comply with such rules. Such holdings will be awarded with Scrapie Qualifying Status (SQS). Scrapie Qualifying Status (SQS) is a new temporary status within the Great Britain Scrapie Monitored Scheme (SMS).
Animals from SQS flocks are not Scrapie Monitored as defined in the Scrapie Monitored Scheme rules but are eligible for export to Northern Ireland under a limited derogation within the relevant EU Regulations.
To avail of SQS, holdings must have applied to join the SMS before 1 January 2022 and undertake to comply with SMS rules for the next three years after which they will progress to SMS (Controlled Risk) status.
Further details on SMS and SQS can be found here
Maedi Visna (MV)/Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) information the flock or herd of origin of the animals to be exported has fully accredited MV/CAE free status under the Scottish Agriculture Colleges (SAC) Scheme; or for animals originating in flocks or herds not fully SAC MV/CAE accredited:
- there must not have been any clinical or serological evidence of MV/CAE infection in the exporting flock or herd during the 3 years prior to export
- all the animals for export are either more than twelve months of age, or if less than twelve months of age, come from flocks or herds which within the six months immediately preceding the date of export, have been sampled and tested with an ELISA or Agar Gel Immunodiffusion test such that there is 95% confidence that less than 2% of the flock or herd are infected with MV/CAE
- all the animals to be exported have remained in isolation for at least 30 days in accommodation approved by the appropriate authority in Great Britain and from the start of the isolation period no animal has been removed from that isolation until all the animals for export have left the premises. However if any animal was required to be removed from the isolation accommodation for other reasons before then they also have been subjected to an ELISA or Agar Gel Immunodiffusion test for MV/CAE with negative results
- within 30 days of export, all the animals in the isolation were subjected to an ELISA or Agar Gel Immunodiffusion test for MV/CAE with negative results in the case of every animal tested
- the certifying veterinarian has received an official statement signed by an authorised Officer of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirming that the prospective importer has made the required post-import isolation arrangements and that these have been approved by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
3. Post import requirements
Restriction at destination Following clearance and release from the port of landing in NI, the imported sheep or goats must be moved directly to the holding of destination in Northern Ireland as shown in the health certificate and must remain there for a period of at least 30 days. A restriction notice will be in place to that effect.
The importer must confirm movement of the animals onto the farm by submitting form SG2 to their local DAERA Office
All sheep and goats moving from GB to NI for breeding and production purposes will need to be re-tagged by the receiving NI keeper unless the sheep being imported are identified with a tag number previously issued by DAERA (UK 17 prefix) or a current EU Member State ( eg. DE, DK, IE or 372 prefix). They must be re-identified within 14 days of arriving in NI and before leaving the holding of destination in NI;
MV accredited sheep on arrival in NI they will be tested for MV/CAE
Non-MV accredited sheep they must immediately be isolated for a period of not less than 6 months and be tested by DAERA staff for MV/CAE with negative results, prior to release from isolation
4. Welfare during transport requirements
This journey is classed as a commercial transport and as such, all requirements under ‘The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006’ and Council Regulation EC 1/2005 must be complied with. Further guidance on these requirements is available vie the following links:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/welfare-animals-during-transport
5. Useful links
Live animals (excluding pets and equines) Importer Checklist
Identification requirements for imported sheep
Ovine & Caprine animals (europa.eu)
Sheep or Goats from a holding member of the SMS Qualifying Scheme
1. Identification requirements
The animals to be imported must be clearly and permanently identified by means of two ear tags which permit tracing of their premises of origin. The identification used must be in accordance with the requirements set out in The Sheep and Goat (Records, Identification and Movement) (England) Order 2009 or equivalent legislation in Scotland and Wales.
GB keepers who are selling or moving livestock to a keeper in NI will be expected to attach an “export” tag to animals printed with the country code ‘GB’, unless those animals already have the letters GB printed on their existing official ear tags.
2. Disease control import requirement
Port of entry Landing must take place at the port of Larne and the person in charge of the animals must report immediately following disembarkation to a Portal Inspector and must co-operate with DAERA staff as required. Animals may not leave the Port until a Portal Inspector has authorised such departure.
Pre notification All consignments of sheep or goats must be pre-notified to DAERA at Larne Harbour on TRACES-NT using a CHED-A. The importer or person responsible for the consignment must be registered on TRACES NT before the import can take place. Guidance on TRACES NT registration, pre-notification and CHED A completion can be found at this link . Pre-notification on TRACES NT must be completed at least 24 hours before arrival.
Isolation facility for non-Maedi Visna accredited sheep an isolation facility requires to be approved at premises of destination prior to import. The isolation facilities must have been inspected and approved by an Inspector of DAERA at least 2 working days prior to import. Please contact your local DVO to arrange an inspection. You can find the contact details for your local DVO on the DAERA website: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/contacts/area-offices
Import licence You must apply to DAERA Trade Imports Section via daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk (028 90524588) at least 10 working days prior to import to obtain a Specific import licence permitting you to import animals from Great Britain. The application form is available here
Export health certificate (EHC) The animals to be imported must be accompanied by an original health certificate EHC 8463 and a schedule giving details of the individual ear numbers, breed, sex and age of the animals to which it related and the registration number of the vehicle in which the animals are being transported to NI. The health certificate and the schedule must be signed by an Official Veterinarian (OV) appointed by the appropriate authority in Great Britain. Fulfilment of these conditions is a matter for consideration between the exporter and their OV in GB. The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed at the following link:
Ovine and caprine animals from a holding member of the SMS Qualifying Scheme to Northern Ireland: certificate 8463 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Cleansing and disinfection The transport vehicle must be cleansed so as to remove all visible organic matter. It must be disinfected with a disinfectant approved by Defra prior to loading of the animals. During transport the imported animals must not come into contact with animals that are not certified as being of the same health status.
GB residency information Sheep or Goats from a holding member of the SMS Qualifying Scheme must have been resident in GB continuously since birth or for a period of at least 6 months prior to the move and must have been resident in the establishment of origin since birth or for a period of at least 40 days and into which during this period no ovine or caprine animals and no animals of other species listed for the same diseases as ovine and caprine animals have been introduced.
Any standstill period as a result of movements of animals onto the holding of origin, as imposed by The Disease Control (England) Order 2003 (or equivalent legislation in Scotland and Wales) has been complied with.
Uncastrated rams from a holding member of the SMS Qualifying Scheme must have remained for a continuous period of at least 60 days prior to their move in the establishment of origin which has been free from brucella ovis for 12 months prior to the date of dispatch and they must have been subjected to a serological test for the detection of brucella ovis with negative results within 30 days of dispatch to NI
Maedi Visna (MV)/Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) information the flock or herd of origin of the animals to be exported has fully accredited MV/CAE free status under the Scottish Agriculture Colleges (SAC) Scheme; or for animals originating in flocks or herds not fully SAC MV/CAE accredited:
- there must not have been any clinical or serological evidence of MV/CAE infection in the exporting flock or herd during the 3 years prior to export
- all the animals for export are either more than twelve months of age, or if less than twelve months of age, come from flocks or herds which within the six months immediately preceding the date of export, have been sampled and tested with an ELISA or Agar Gel Immunodiffusion test such that there is 95% confidence that less than 2% of the flock or herd are infected with MV/CAE
- all the animals to be exported have remained in isolation for at least 30 days in accommodation approved by the appropriate authority in Great Britain and from the start of the isolation period no animal has been removed from that isolation until all the animals for export have left the premises. However if any animal was required to be removed from the isolation accommodation for other reasons before then they also have been subjected to an ELISA or Agar Gel Immunodiffusion test for MV/CAE with negative results
- within 30 days of export, all the animals in the isolation were subjected to an ELISA or Agar Gel Immunodiffusion test for MV/CAE with negative results in the case of every animal tested
- the certifying veterinarian has received an official statement signed by an authorised Officer of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirming that the prospective importer has made the required post-import isolation arrangements and that these have been approved by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
3. Post import requirements
Restriction at destination Following clearance and release from the port of landing in NI, the imported sheep or goats must be moved directly to the holding of destination in Northern Ireland as shown in the health certificate and must remain there for a period of at least 30 days. A restriction notice will be in place to that effect.
The importer must confirm movement of the animals onto the farm by submitting form SG2 to their local DAERA Office
All sheep and goats moving from GB to NI for breeding and production purposes will need to be re-tagged by the receiving NI keeper unless the sheep being imported are identified with a tag number previously issued by DAERA (UK 17 prefix) or a current EU Member State ( eg. DE, DK, IE or 372 prefix). They must be re-identified within 14 days of arriving in NI and before leaving the holding of destination in NI
MV accredited sheep on arrival in NI they will be tested for MV/CAE
Non-MV accredited sheep they must immediately be isolated for a period of not less than 6 months and be tested by DAERA staff for MV/CAE with negative results, prior to release from isolation
4. Welfare during Transport requirements
This journey is classed as a commercial transport and as such, all requirements under ‘The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006’ and Council Regulation EC 1/2005 must be complied with. Further guidance on these requirements is available vie the following links:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/welfare-animals-during-transport
5. Useful links
Live animals (excluding pets and equines) Importer Checklist
Identification requirements for imported sheep
Ovine & Caprine animals (europa.eu)
Scrapie monitoring for export | SRUC
Slaughter sheep or goats
1. Identification requirements
The animals to be imported must be clearly and permanently identified in accordance with the requirements set out in The Sheep and Goat (Records, Identification and Movement) (England) Order 2009 (or equivalent legislation in Scotland and Wales).
GB keepers who are selling or moving livestock to NI for slaughter will be expected to attach an “export” tag to animals printed with the country code ‘GB’, unless those animals already have the letters GB printed on their existing official ear tags.
2. Disease control import requirement
Port of entry Landing must take place at the port of Larne and the person in charge of the animals must report immediately following disembarkation to a Portal Inspector and must co-operate with DAERA staff as required. Animals may not leave the Port until a Portal Inspector has authorised such departure.
Pre notification All consignments of sheep or goats must be pre-notified to DAERA at Larne Harbour on TRACES-NT using a CHED-A. The importer or person responsible for the consignment must be registered on TRACES NT before the import can take place. Guidance on TRACES NT registration, pre-notification and CHED A completion can be found at this link . Pre-notification on TRACES NT must be completed at least 24 hours before arrival.
Export health certificate (EHC) The animals to be imported must be accompanied by an original health certificate EHC 8449 and a schedule giving details of the individual ear numbers, breed, sex and age of the animals to which it related and the registration number of the vehicle in which the animals are being transported to NI. The health certificate and the schedule must be signed by an Official Veterinarian (OV) appointed by the appropriate authority in Great Britain. Fulfilment of these conditions is a matter for consideration between the exporter and their OV in GB. The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed at the following link:
Ovine and caprine animals intended for slaughter to the European Union and Northern Ireland: certificate 8449 | gov.uk
Cleansing and disinfection The transport vehicle must be cleansed so as to remove all visible organic matter. It must be disinfected with a disinfectant approved by Defra prior to loading of the animals. During transport the imported animals must not come into contact with animals that are not certified as being of the same health status.
GB residency information Slaughter sheep must have been must have been resident in GB for at least 3 months prior to the move and resident on the holding for 40 days, with no contact with imported cloven-hooved animals for 30 days before movement
3. Post import requirements
Following clearance and release from the port of landing in NI, the imported animals must be moved direct to slaughter and may only be consigned to the abattoir as shown on the health certificate. The animals must not be moved to anywhere else and be slaughtered within 3 working days. On arrival at the meat plant/abattoir the animals and health certificate(s) which accompanied the animals must be presented to an officer of DAERA for checking.
4. Welfare during transport requirements
This journey is classed as a commercial transport and as such, all requirements under ‘The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006’ and Council Regulation EC 1/2005 must be complied with. Further guidance on these requirements is available vie the following links:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/welfare-animals-during-transport
5. Useful links
Live animals (excluding pets and equines) Importer Checklist
Identification requirements for imported sheep
Ovine & Caprine animals (europa.eu)
Identification requirements for imported sheep
Ovine & Caprine animals (europa.eu)
Return of NI sheep or goats from approved show or sale in GB
1. Requirements prior to export to GB
All NI origin animals entering the approved show or sale must be accompanied by the relevant export health certificate (EHC) to move from NI to the approved sale in GB. This EHC can be obtained from your private Authorised Veterinary Inspector.
An additional supplementary export certificate attesting to the scrapie and brucella status (uncastrated sheep only) is also required
Uncastrated male sheep must have tested negative for Brucella ovis within 30 days of the proposed return l movement to GB to enable completion of the re-entry health certificate.
Further advice and guidance in relation to exporting breeding & production sheep and goats directly from their premises of origin can be found at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/export-certification-breedingproduction-sheep-goats-gb-directly-their-premises-origin
and
2. Requirements at the GB approved show/sale
The show or sale must be approved and operate in accordance with EU Export Assembly Rules (APHA approval guidelines).
Segregation of NI animals must be maintained throughout the show/sale and comply with all relevant requirements for entry into the Union. TB testing for sheep or goats and Brucella ovis testing for uncastrated male sheep is to be conducted in NI, as part of the requirements for the export health certificate to GB before movement to the show/sale in GB.
Sheep or goats are moved directly from the establishment of origin in NI to the approved establishment in GB.
Sheep or goats have no contact with animals of a lower health status from the loading for dispatch to GB, for the duration of the event until loading for dispatch to NI, and transport to their premises of destination in NI.
3. Re-entry into NI requirements
Port of entry Landing must take place at the port of Larne and the person in charge of the animals must report immediately following disembarkation to a Portal Inspector and must co-operate with DAERA staff as required. Animals may not leave the Port until a Portal Inspector has authorised such departure.
Pre-notification All consignments of sheep or goats must be pre-notified to DAERA at Larne Harbour on TRACES-NT using a CHED-A. The importer or person responsible for the consignment must be registered on TRACES NT before the import can take place. Guidance on TRACES NT registration, pre-notification and CHED A completion can be found at this link . Pre-notification on TRACES NT must be completed at least 24 hours before arrival.
In contrast to those GB origin sheep moving to NI, those sheep and goats returning to NI do not require an import licence.
Export health certificate (EHC) The animals to be imported must be accompanied by an original health certificate EHC 8462. The health certificate must be signed by an Official Veterinarian (OV) appointed by the appropriate authority in Great Britain. Fulfilment of these conditions is a matter for consideration between the exporter and their OV in GB. The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed at the following link: Ungulates moving from an event, exhibition, display or show in Great Britain to the Union or Northern Ireland: certificate 8462 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Cleansing and disinfection The transport vehicle must be cleansed so as to remove all visible organic matter. It must be disinfected with a disinfectant approved by Defra prior to loading of the animals. During transport the imported animals must not come into contact with animals that are not certified as being of the same health status.
4. Post NI import requirements
Restriction at destination Following clearance and release from the port of landing in NI, the imported sheep or goats must be moved directly to the holding of destination in Northern Ireland as shown in the health certificate and must remain there for a period of at least 30 days. A restriction notice will be in place to that effect.
The importer must confirm movement of the animals onto the farm by submitting form SG2 to their local DAERA Office
5. Welfare during transport requirements
This journey is classed as a commercial transport and as such, all requirements under ‘The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006’ and Council Regulation EC 1/2005 must be complied with. Further guidance on these requirements is available vie the following links:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/welfare-animals-during-transport
6. Useful links
Live animals (excluding pets and equines) Importer Checklist
Ovine & Caprine animals (europa.eu)
Transit through NI for onwards travel to other EU MS
1. Identification requirements
Sheep or goats transiting through Northern Ireland for onward travel to other EU member states must comply with the EU's rules on the identification and movement of animals.
The animals to be imported must be clearly and permanently identified by means of two ear tags which permit tracing of their premises of origin. The identification used must be in accordance with the requirements set out in The Sheep and Goat (Records, Identification and Movement) (England) Order 2009 or equivalent legislation in Scotland and Wales.
GB keepers will be expected to attach an “export” tag to animals printed with the country code ‘GB’, unless those animals already have the letters GB printed on their existing official ear tags.
2. Disease control import requirement
Port of entry Landing must take place at the port of Larne and the person in charge of the animals must report immediately following disembarkation to a Portal Inspector and must co-operate with DAERA staff as required. Animals may not leave the Port until a Portal Inspector has authorised such departure.
Pre-notification All consignments of sheep or goats must be pre-notified to DAERA at Larne Harbour on TRACES-NT using a CHED-A. The importer or person responsible for the consignment must be registered on TRACES NT before the import can take place. Guidance on TRACES NT registration, pre-notification and CHED A completion can be found at this link . Pre-notification on TRACES NT must be completed at least 24 hours before arrival.
Export health certificate (EHC) The sheep or goats must have a valid health certificate issued by a government veterinarian in the country of origin. For GB origin animals, the relevant certificate as per country of destination is accessible here. For EU origin animals, you should contact the competent authority in the EU Member State of origin for further information. More information on health certificates can be found on the European Commission's website here
Additional requirements You should contact the country of destination to verify any additional import conditions specific to that particular Member State. Please click this link for further information on BCP contact details.
Cleansing and disinfection The transport vehicle must be cleansed so as to remove all visible organic matter. It must be disinfected with a disinfectant approved by Defra prior to loading of the animals. During transport the imported animals must not come into contact with animals that are not certified as being of the same health status.
3. Welfare during transport requirements
This journey is classed as a commercial transport and as such, all requirements under ‘The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006’ and Council Regulation EC 1/2005 must be complied with. Further guidance on these requirements is available vie the following links:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/welfare-animals-during-transport
4. Useful links
Live animals (excluding pets and equines) Importer Checklist
Identification requirements for imported sheep
Ovine & Caprine animals (europa.eu)