Importing Poultry from Great Britain

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Following the end of the transition period there are significant changes to the requirements which must be met for poultry moving from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI).

These requirements apply even if the poultry originated in NI and moved to GB temporarily, for example to attend a show.

If you are planning to import poultry into NI from GB, whether for breeding, rearing, show or other purposes, it is important to ensure that you comply with all the requirements set out by the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

There are 11 types of import movements from GB linked to poultry.

Please either scroll down or select the relevant shortcut from the list to the right to view the applicable requirements

1. Import Conditions for More Than 20 Units of Poultry, Other Than of Ratites for Breeding and Production

1.1. Identification Requirements

None required.

1.2. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Landing must take place at either the Port of Larne or the Port of Belfast 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 poultry must be pre-notified to DAERA at Larne or Belfast port 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 TRACES NT Documentation | European Commission (webgate.ec.europa.eu). Pre-notification on TRACES NT must be completed at least 24 hours before arrival.

Export Health Certificate

The animals to be imported must be accompanied by an original health certificate EHC 8437. The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed at Breeding or production poultry other than ratites to the European Union and Northern Ireland: certificate 8437 | gov.uk. Fulfilment of these conditions is a matter for consideration between the exporter and their OV in GB.

The establishment must be named and supplied with an approval number that appears on a list of establishments drawn up and published by the Commission on TRACES NT, in GB this is a reference to the ‘Poultry Health Scheme’.

The Export health certificate includes requirements that the animals must not have had contact with animals of a lower health status during either the 6 week or 30-day period (depending on type of poultry) prior to loading for dispatch as well as testing and/or assurance requirements for Salmonella/Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease.

Cleaning 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

Poultry other than of ratites for breeding/production must have been resident in GB for 3 months immediately prior to the date of dispatch or since hatching when they are less than 3 months of age and must have remained in the establishment of origin since hatching or for a continuous period of either at least 6 weeks or 30 days prior to the date of loading for dispatch.

1.3. 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:

1.4. Useful Links

2. Import Conditions for Less Than 20 Units of Poultry, Other Than of Ratites, for Breeding and Production

2.1. Identification Requirements

None required.

2.2. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Pre-notification

Export Health Certificate

The animals to be imported must be accompanied by an original health certificate (EHC) 8444. The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed at Consignments of fewer than 20 units of poultry or day-old chicks other than ratites to the European Union and Northern Ireland: certificate 8444 | gov.uk. 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 EHC includes requirements that the animals must not have had contact with animals of a lower health status during either the 3 weeks immediately prior to dispatch or since hatching where they are less than 3 weeks of age as well as testing/assurance requirements for Salmonella/Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease.

Cleaning and Disinfection

GB Residency Information

Less than 20 units of Poultry other than of ratites must have been resident in GB for 3 months immediately prior to the date of dispatch or since hatching when they are less than 3 months of age and must have remained in the establishment of origin since hatching or for a continuous period of at least 3 weeks prior to the date of loading for dispatch.

2.3. Welfare During Transport Requirements

2.4. Useful Links

3. Import Conditions for Day-old Chicks, Other Than of Ratites

3.1. Identification Requirements

None required.

3.2. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Pre-notification

Export Health Certificate

The animals to be imported must be accompanied by an original health certificate EHC 8435. The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed at Day-old chicks other than of ratites to the European Union and Northern Ireland: certificate 8435 | gov.uk. 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 establishment must be named and supplied with an approval number that appears on a list of establishments drawn up and published by the Commission on TRACES NT. in GB this is a reference to the ‘Poultry Health Scheme.’

The Export health certificate includes requirements that the animals must not have had contact with animals of a lower health status since hatching, testing/assurance requirements for Salmonella/Mycoplasma/Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease

Cleaning and Disinfection

GB Residency Information

Day old chicks other than of ratites must come from a flock which have been resident in GB or GB1 zone for at least 3 months immediately prior to the date of collection of eggs from which the day old chicks have hatched or the flock has been imported under specific and strict conditions. Hatching eggs imported into GB are not eligible for export from GB to the EU.

3.3. Welfare During Transport Requirements

3.4. Useful Links

4. Import Conditions for Slaughter Poultry, Other Than Ratites

4.1. Identification Requirements

None required.

4.2. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Pre-notification

Export Health Certificate

The animals to be imported must be accompanied by an original health certificate EHC 8442. The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed at Slaughter poultry other than ratites to the European Union and Northern Ireland: certificate 8442 | gov.uk. 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 Export health certificate includes requirements that the animals must not have had contact with animals of a lower health status since hatching or for a continuous period of at least 30 days immediately prior to the date of loading for dispatch to the union as well as testing/assurance requirements for Salmonella/Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease

Cleaning and Disinfection

GB Residency Information

Slaughter poultry other than ratites must have remained in GB for a continuous period of a least 6 weeks immediately prior to the date of loading for dispatch or since hatching where they are less than 6 weeks of age. They must have remained in the establishment of dispatch for at least 30 days

4.3. Welfare During Transport Requirements

4.4. Useful Links

5. Import Conditions for Less Than 20 Hatching Eggs of Poultry, Other Than of Ratites

5.1. Identification Requirements

None required.

5.2. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Pre-notification

All consignments of hatching eggs must be pre-notified to DAERA at Larne or Belfast port on TRACES-NT using a CHED-A or CHED-P. 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/P completion can be found at TRACES NT Documentation | European Commission (webgate.ec.europa.eu). Pre-notification on TRACES NT must be completed at least 24 hours before arrival.

Export Health Certificate

The hatching eggs to be imported must be accompanied by an original health certificate EHC 8445. The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed at Consignments of fewer than 20 hatching eggs of poultry other than ratites to the European Union and Northern Ireland: certificate 8445 | gov.uk. 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 Export health certificate includes requirements that the hatching eggs must not have had contact with poultry, hatching eggs or with captive or wild birds of a lower health status for a continuous period of at least 3 weeks immediately prior to the date of loading for dispatch to the union as well as testing/assurance requirements for Salmonella/Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease.

Cleaning 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 hatching eggs. During transport the containers must only contain hatching eggs of the same species, category and type coming from the same establishment.

GB Residency Information

Consignments of less than 20 hatching eggs of poultry other than ratites must come from flocks which have remained in GB for a continuous period of a least 3 months immediately prior to the date of loading for dispatch or flocks that have been imported under specific and strict conditions. The flock must have been resident in the establishment of dispatch for at least 3 weeks.

5.3. Useful Links

6. Import Conditions for more than 20 hatching eggs of poultry other than ratites

6.1. Identification Requirements

The hatching eggs must be individually marked with the approval number of the establishment of origin referred to in Article 21(a) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035

6.2. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Landing must take place at either the Port of Larne or the Port of Belfast and the person in charge of the hatching eggs must report immediately following disembarkation to a Portal Inspector and must co-operate with DAERA staff as required. SPS goods may not leave the Port until a Portal Inspector has authorised such departure.

Pre-notification

All consignments of hatching eggs must be pre-notified to DAERA at either Larne Port or Belfast Port on TRACES-NT using a CHED-A or CHED-P. 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/P completion can be found at TRACES NT Documentation | European Commission (webgate.ec.europa.eu). Pre-notification on TRACES NT must be completed at least 24 hours before arrival

Export Health Certificate

The hatching eggs to be imported must be accompanied by an original health certificate EHC 8436. The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed at Hatching eggs of poultry to or transit through the European Union and Northern Ireland: certificate 8436 | gov.uk. The health certificate must certify that either within 72 hours of export to NI all the hatching eggs described on the health certificate come from a flock which was examined and found to be healthy and free from clinical evidence of infectious or contagious disease or that the flock from which the hatching eggs originate has been subject to monthly inspections with the most recent carried out within a period of 31 days prior to loading for the purpose of the detection of signs indicative of diseases. 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 Export health certificate includes requirements that the hatching eggs must not have had contact with poultry, hatching eggs or with captive or wild birds of a lower health status for a continuous period of at least 6 weeks immediately prior to the date of loading for dispatch to the union as well as testing/assurance requirements for Salmonella/Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease.

Cleaning and Disinfection

GB Residency Information

Consignments of hatching eggs of poultry other than ratites must come from flocks which have remained in GB for a continuous period of a least 3 months immediately prior to the date of loading for dispatch or flocks that have been imported under specific and strict conditions. The flock must have been resident in the establishment of dispatch for at least 6 weeks.

6.3. Useful Links

7. Import Conditions for Hatching Eggs of Ratites

7.1. Identification Requirements

The hatching eggs must be individually marked with the approval number of the establishment of origin referred to in Article 21(a) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035

7.2. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Pre-notification

All consignments of hatching eggs must be pre-notified to DAERA at either Larne Port or Belfast Port on TRACES-NT using a CHED-A or CHED-P. 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/P CHED-P completion can be found here. Pre-notification on TRACES NT must be completed at least 24 hours before arrival

Export Health Certificate

The hatching eggs to be imported must be accompanied by an original health certificate EHC 8440. The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed at Hatching eggs of ratites to, or transit through, the European Union and Northern Ireland: certificate 8440 | gov.uk. The health certificate must certify that within 24 hours of export to NI all the hatching eggs described on the health certificate come from a flock which was examined and found to be healthy and free from clinical evidence of infectious or contagious disease. 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 Export health certificate includes requirements that the hatching eggs must not have had contact with poultry, hatching eggs or with captive or wild birds of a lower health status for a continuous period of at least 6 weeks immediately prior to the date of loading for dispatch to the union, Testing/assurance requirements for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease.

Cleaning and Disinfection

GB Residency Information

Consignments of hatching eggs of ratites must come from flocks which have remained in GB for a continuous period of a least 3 months immediately prior to the date of loading for dispatch or flocks that have been imported under specific and strict conditions. The flock must have been resident in the establishment of dispatch for at least 6 weeks.

7.3. Useful Links

8. Import Conditions for Specified Pathogen-free Eggs

8.1. Identification Requirements

Eggs must be marked using coloured ink with a stamp indicating the ISO code, country or territory of origin and the unique approval number of the establishment of origin.

8.2. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Landing must take place at either the Port of Larne or the Port of Belfast and the person in charge of the SPF eggs must report immediately following disembarkation to a Portal Inspector and must co-operate with DAERA staff as required. SPS goods may not leave the Port until a Portal Inspector has authorised such departure.

Pre-notification

All consignments of SPF eggs must be pre-notified to DAERA at either Larne Port or Belfast Port on TRACES-NT using a CHED-A or CHED-P. 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/P completion can be found at TRACES NT Documentation | European Commission (webgate.ec.europa.eu). Pre-notification on TRACES NT must be completed at least 24 hours before arrival.

Export Health Certificate

The specified pathogen-free eggs to be imported must be accompanied by an original health certificate EHC 8441. The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed at Specified pathogen free (SPF) eggs to the European Union and Northern Ireland: certificate 8441 | gov.uk The health certificate must certify that the specified pathogen-free eggs come from a flock which has been clinical examined at least once a week as described in the European Pharmacopoeia and no disease symptoms or ground for suspecting the presence of any disease was detected. 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 Export health certificate includes requirements that the Specified pathogen free eggs must not have had contact with poultry of a lower health status or birds for a continuous period of at least 6 weeks prior to the date of collection of the eggs, Testing/assurance requirements for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease.

Cleaning and Disinfection

GB Residency Information

Consignments of specified pathogen-free eggs must come from a flock which has been resident in the establishment of dispatch for at least 6 weeks prior to collection

8.3. Useful Links

9. Import Conditions for Breeding or Production Ratites

9.1. Identification Requirements

Must be individually identified by either a neck tag or an injectable transponder with the code of the third country or territory of origin in the two-letter format.

9.2. Dangerous Wild Animals

Ratites listed under The Dangerous Wild Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 | legislation.gov.uk are subject to keeper licence requirements prior to taking ownership. Further information is available on the Dangerous wild animals page.

9.3. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Pre-notification

All consignments of ratites must be pre-notified to DAERA at Larne or Belfast port 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

The animals to be imported must be accompanied by an original health certificate EHC 8438. The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed at Breeding or productive ratites to the European Union and Northern Ireland: certificate 8438 | gov.uk. 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 establishment must be named and supplied with an approval number that appears on a list of establishments drawn up and published by the Commission. In GB this is a reference to the ‘Poultry Health Scheme’.

The Export health certificate includes requirements that the animals must not have had contact with animals of a lower health status since hatching or for a continuous period of at least 6 weeks prior to loading for dispatch, testing and/or assurance requirements for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease.

Cleaning and Disinfection

GB Residency Information

Consignments of ratites for breeding/production must have been resident in GB for a continuous period of at least 3 months immediately prior to the date of dispatch or since hatching when they are less than 3 months of age and must have remained in the establishment of origin since hatching or for a continuous period of at least 6 weeks prior to the date of loading for dispatch.

9.4. Welfare During Transport Requirements

9.5. Useful Links

10. Import Conditions for Day-old Chicks of Ratites

10.1. Identification Requirements

None required.

10.2. Dangerous Wild Animals

10.3. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Pre-notification

All consignments of ratites must be pre-notified to DAERA at Larne or Belfast port 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

The day old chicks to be imported must be accompanied by an original health certificate EHC 8439. The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed at Day-old chicks of ratites to the European Union and Northern Ireland: certificate 8439 | gov.uk. The health certificate must certify that, within 24 hours of export to NI all the day old chicks 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 establishment must be named and supplied with an approval number that appears on a list of establishments drawn up and published by the Commission.

The health certificate includes requirements that the animals must come from hatching eggs which have had no contact with poultry or hatching eggs of lower health status, captive birds or wild birds either during transport to the hatchery or in the hatchery and had no contact with animals of a lower health status since hatching, testing and/or assurance requirements for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease.

Cleaning and Disinfection

GB Residency Information

Consignments of day old chicks of ratites must come from flocks which have been resident in GB for a continuous period of at least 3 months immediately prior to the date of collection of the eggs from which the day old chicks have hatched and come from flocks which must have remained in the establishment of origin for a continuous period of at least 6 weeks prior to the date of collection of the eggs from which the day old chicks have hatched.

10.4. Welfare During Transport Requirements

10.5. Useful Links

11. Import Conditions for Ratites for Slaughter

11.1. Identification Requirements

None required.

11.2. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Pre-notification

Export Health Certificate

The animals to be imported must be accompanied by an original health certificate EHC 8443. The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed at Ratites for slaughter to the European Union and Northern Ireland: certificate 8443 | gov.uk. 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 establishment must be named and supplied with an approval number that appears on a list of establishments drawn up and published by the Commission.

The Export health certificate includes requirements that the animals must not have had contact with animals of a lower health status since hatching or for a continuous period of at least 30 days prior to loading for dispatch, testing and/or assurance requirements for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease.

Cleaning and Disinfection

GB Residency Information

Consignments of ratites for slaughter must have been resident in GB for a continuous period of at least 6 weeks immediately prior to the date of dispatch or since hatching when they are less than 6 weeks of age and must have remained in the establishment of origin since hatching or for a continuous period of at least 30 days prior to the date of loading for dispatch.

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Importing Poultry from Great Britain

1. Import Conditions for More Than 20 Units of Poultry, Other Than of Ratites for Breeding and Production

1.1. Identification Requirements

1.2. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Pre-notification

Export Health Certificate

Cleaning and Disinfection

GB Residency Information

1.3. Welfare During Transport Requirements

1.4. Useful Links

2. Import Conditions for Less Than 20 Units of Poultry, Other Than of Ratites, for Breeding and Production

2.1. Identification Requirements

2.2. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Pre-notification

Export Health Certificate

Cleaning and Disinfection

GB Residency Information

2.3. Welfare During Transport Requirements

2.4. Useful Links

3. Import Conditions for Day-old Chicks, Other Than of Ratites

3.1. Identification Requirements

3.2. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Pre-notification

Export Health Certificate

Cleaning and Disinfection

GB Residency Information

3.3. Welfare During Transport Requirements

3.4. Useful Links

4. Import Conditions for Slaughter Poultry, Other Than Ratites

4.1. Identification Requirements

4.2. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Pre-notification

Export Health Certificate

Cleaning and Disinfection

GB Residency Information

4.3. Welfare During Transport Requirements

4.4. Useful Links

5. Import Conditions for Less Than 20 Hatching Eggs of Poultry, Other Than of Ratites

5.1. Identification Requirements

5.2. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Pre-notification

Export Health Certificate

Cleaning and Disinfection

GB Residency Information

5.3. Useful Links

6. Import Conditions for more than 20 hatching eggs of poultry other than ratites

6.1. Identification Requirements

6.2. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Pre-notification

Export Health Certificate

Cleaning and Disinfection

GB Residency Information

6.3. Useful Links

7. Import Conditions for Hatching Eggs of Ratites

7.1. Identification Requirements

7.2. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Pre-notification

Export Health Certificate

Cleaning and Disinfection

GB Residency Information

7.3. Useful Links

8. Import Conditions for Specified Pathogen-free Eggs

8.1. Identification Requirements

8.2. Disease Control Import Requirements

Port of Entry

Pre-notification

Export Health Certificate

Cleaning and Disinfection

GB Residency Information

8.3. Useful Links

9. Import Conditions for Breeding or Production Ratites