Importing pigs from Great Britain
This page provides information on the import conditions which have applied since 1 January 2021, for both Breeding/Production and Slaughter pigs from Great Britain (GB). It also provides documents which will help to make sure you have all the required import paperwork. Any pigs moving from GB to Northern Ireland (NI) will require an EU Export Health Certificate (EHC) instead of the previously used GB to NI EHC's. Specific Import licencing arrangements continue to apply for breeding and production movements.
There are 3 types of import movements from GB linked to pigs.
Please either scroll down or select the relevant shortcut from the list to the right to view the applicable requirements.
1. Import conditions for breeding / production pigs
1.1. Identification requirements
For dispatch to the EU or NI, the ear tag or ear tattoo will need to read GB or 826 plus the animal’s herd mark and an individual number.
1.2. 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 pigs 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.
Import licence At least 10 days prior to intended import, you must apply to DAERA Trade Imports Section via daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk (028 90 524588) to obtain a Specific import licence permitting you to import pigs 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 8450, 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 supplementary health certificate and the full conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed here. The health certificates 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.
Testing Please note the Supplementary certificate has a requirement of testing for Transmissible Gastro-Enteritis (TGE). The tests must be carried out by the Central Veterinary Laboratory Weybridge/Lasswade or Veterinary Sciences Division (AFBI) with negative results in the case of every pig tested (either a serum neutralisation test for Transmissible Gastro-Enteritis or an ELISA test for Transmissible Gastro-Enteritis)
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 Breeding or production pigs must have been resident in GB since birth or for at least 6 months prior to the move and must have been resident on their establishment of origin for at least 40 days prior to dispatch and during this time no animals of families Suidae and Tayassuidae and no animals of other species listed for the same diseases as animals of the family Suidae and Tayassuidae have been introduced.
1.3. 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 person in charge of the holding of destination of the imported animals must advise the local Divisional Veterinary Officer of their arrival not later than the next working day following importation. This requires the importer to submit the health certificate and supplementary certificate that accompanied the animals from GB to the local DVO. Imported pigs must be presented to an officer of the Department for checking and post import testing as may be required on the premises of destination.
All pigs moving from GB to NI for breeding and production purposes will need to be re-tagged by the receiving NI keeper. This is because, under the relevant EU law, which will continue to apply to Northern Ireland, animals must be identified, upon entry, with a unique identification code, related to the holding of destination. Pigs must be re-identified within 30 days of arriving in NI and before leaving the holding of destination in NI and the letter “F” should be included on the ear tag after the pig’s individual identification number.
1.4. 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 via the following links:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/welfare-animals-during-transport
1.5. Useful Links
Live animals (excluding pets and equines) Importer Checklist
2. Import conditions for slaughter pigs
2.1. Identification requirements
Slaughter pigs for dispatch to the EU or NI, the ear tag or ear tattoo will need to read GB or 826 plus the animal’s herd mark and an individual number.
2.2. 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 pigs 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 8451 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 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
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 Pigs intended for slaughter must have been resident in GB since birth or for at least 3 months prior to the move and must have been resident on their establishment of origin for at least 40 days prior to dispatch and during this time no porcine animals and no animals of other species porcine listed for the same diseases as porcine animals have been introduced.
2.3. 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.
2.4. 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 via the following links:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/welfare-animals-during-transport
2.5. Useful Links
Live animals (excluding pets and equines) Importer Checklist
3. Imports conditions for pigs transiting NI to an EU Member State
3.1. Identification requirements
For dispatch to the EU or NI, the ear tag or ear tattoo will need to read GB or 826 plus the animal’s herd mark and an individual number.
3.2. 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 pigs 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 pigs 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.
3.3. 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 via the following links:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/welfare-animals-during-transport
3.4. Useful links
Live animals (excluding pets and equines) Importer Checklist