Artificial insemination (AI)

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Enforcement of Northern Ireland legislation concerning the policy and licensing requirements of premises and individuals involved in artificial insemination and embryo transfer.

What is artificial insemination?

Artificial insemination (AI) is the process of collecting sperm cells from a male animal and manually depositing them into the reproductive tract of a female.

There are various licences available from DAERA under The Artificial Insemination Of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1975 (As Amended) and Artificial Insemination Of Cattle Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997.

AI training

For anyone wishing to receive AI training, they will need to source the training provider themselves.

Under the Regulations there is a requirement for anyone who completes a training course in artificial insemination, needs to have acquired a satisfactory standard of proficiency and received a training certificate.

How can I become registered?

Any person who wishes to apply for farm storage and/or farm inseminator should complete this farm inseminator and farm storage application form. Forms can also be obtained by contacting us.

Bull to AI

Under the artificial insemination of Cattle Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1988, every bull from which semen is to be collected in Northern Ireland for use in artificial insemination must be approved by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.  Approval will be given if certain animal health tests are conducted with negative results.

How can I become registered?

An application for the approval of a bull for use in artificial insemination may be made only by the owner/owners. 

In order to become registered you should complete this application form for approval of a bull for use in artificial insemination. Forms are also available by contacting us.

Bovine & Ovine AI

Further information and guidance in relation to bovine artificial insemination:

Equine AI

Under the Regulations there is a requirement for equine animals used for the intra-area trade and third countries to be approved and licensed. 

How can I become registered?

Any person who wishes to set up an equine semen storage centre can complete an application form for an equine AI collection centre. You can also obtain an application form by contacting us.

A Veterinary Officer will be required to visit and check that all conditions/legislative criteria are complied with.

After inspection, if the Veterinary Officer is content they must submit a completed check list AR12 to Jubilee House who will forward to DEFRA for approval or not.

Once the Approval Number has been provided, Jubilee House must send an official Equine Semen Storage Centre Approval.

Porcine AI

Under the Regulations there is a requirement for Porcine Animals used for the intra-area trade and third countries to be approved and licensed. 

How can I become registered?

Any person who wishes to set up an porcine collection centre can complete an application form for porcine AI collection centre. You can also obtain an application form by contacting us.

A Veterinary Officer will be required to visit and check that all conditions/legislative criteria are complied with.

After inspection, if the Veterinary Officer is content they must submit a completed check list AR12 to Jubilee House who will forward to DEFRA for approval or not.

Once the Approval Number has been provided, Jubilee House must send an official Porcine Collection Centre Approval.

AI and embryo conditions

Governance and legislation

For Artificial Insemination to be implemented Legislation was put in place to administer and enforce the EU Regulations.

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