Q&As - Camelids and Cervids May 2026

Important information: Updated 5 May 2026

• European Union (EU) Regulation 2016/429, commonly known as the Animal Health Law (AHL), has introduced mandatory requirements for keepers of camelids and cervids in NI
• From 30 September 2026 it will be mandatory for all camelid and cervid establishments in NI to be registered with DAERA and for these establishments to start keeping records 
• From 4 January 2027 all camelids and cervids kept in NI not already identified must be identified in accordance with the AHL, using a DAERA approved means of identification.

Q.1: What are keepers of camelid and cervid animals required to do under the new rules?

Answer: Anyone keeping camelids and cervids is required to:

• register their establishment with DAERA, if not already registered; 
• identify their animals with DAERA approved devices within nine months of birth or before they are moved from the establishment of birth, whichever is earlier; 
• keep appropriate records for at least three years

Please see the questions and answers provided below for more detailed information and guidance. 

Q.2: Why have these rules been introduced?

Answer: They are a legal requirement under the European Union Animal Health Law (AHL), Regulation (EU) 2016/429, which applies in NI.  The introduction of the rules, therefore, ensures that camelid and cervid keepers are compliant with their legal obligations

Furthermore, there is significant benefit to be gained from having camelids and cervids formally identified and the establishments at which they are kept registered.  From a disease control perspective, having information on where animals are located will help DAERA, and in turn keepers, to protect camelids and cervids from Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB), and other disease outbreaks, such as Foot and Mouth Disease, to which camelids and cervids are susceptible as cloven hoofed animals.

Q.3: What do I need to do to register with DAERA to keep camelids or cervids?

Answer: Registering with DAERA is a simple process, there is no charge, and no inspection visit is required.  An application can be completed online via the DAERA Registration page. Alternatively, a paper AGN application form can be downloaded, completed and returned to any DAERA Direct Office. 

Once DAERA have verified the details provided, operators will be allocated an establishment code in the form of an Animal Group Number (AGN) for each species they keep.

Q.4: I intend to keep alpacas, do I have to be a business or a farmer to register my establishment?

Answer: No. Anyone keeping camelids or cervids on any establishment, including private individuals at private dwellings, is required to register with DAERA.  Even those intending to keep small numbers of animals (hobby or backyard animals), must register their establishment with DAERA.  This is similar to what is already required for anyone keeping backyard poultry, pot-bellied pigs and pygmy goats.

Q.5: If I already keep sheep, goats, cattle or pigs, do I need to register separately with DAERA to keep camelids or cervids?

Answer: Yes.  If you are already registered with DAERA to keep other animals, you will keep your original registration number for the species you have. You will, however, need to apply for a new Animal Group Number (AGN) to also keep camelid or cervid animals.  This can be done online via the DAERA Registration page or a paper AGN application form can be downloaded, completed and returned to any DAERA Direct Office. 

Q.6: Do I need a DAERA Business ID to keep camelids and cervids?

Answer: Anyone who interacts with DAERA in relation to keeping camelids and cervids, farmed livestock or certain other animal species, must have a unique registration number.  This number is known as a Business ID and helps DAERA identify all operations linked to you and helps protect your personal information in line with Data Protection requirements. There are different categories of Business ID depending on the activities you carry out.

You do not need to be a business to have a Business ID.  Anyone registering with DAERA for the first time will automatically be allocated one.  

If you already keep other animals and have a Business ID, you should include this on your application when applying for a new Animal Group Number (AGN) to add camelids and cervids to your establishment. 

If you do not already have a Business ID, one will be automatically assigned to you when registering to keep camelids and cervids as part of the registration process.  Further information on DAERA Business IDs can be found here.

Q.7: I have already registered with DAERA to keep alpacas and deer under the old Balai directive. Do I need to register again? 

Answer: No. If you are already registered to keep camelids or cervid animals, e.g. under the Balai directive, you will retain your existing registration and you do not need to register again. 

Q.8: When do I have to identify my camelid and cervid animals?

Answer: Operators must identify animals using a DAERA approved means of identification within nine months of birth, or before they are moved from the establishment of birth, whichever is earlier.  From 4 January 2027, any camelids and cervids on your establishment, which have not been previously identified, must be identified in accordance with the new requirements.

Q.9: I have camelid and cervid animals which are already identified.  Do I need to reidentify my animals under the new rules?

Answer: No, there is no requirement to re-identify any camelid or cervid animal previously identified, if they will remain in NI.  Any animals identified must be recorded in your establishment records (see Q. 16).

However, if you plan to export animals to the European Union (EU), including Ireland, any such animal must be identified under AHL rules prior to export to prevent the animals’ ID numbers being deemed ineligible. (See Q.12). 

Q.10: What type of device can I use to identify my camelid and cervid animals?

Answer: For alpacas and llamas, operators are permitted to choose from the options offered under AHL: 

1. a conventional ear tag attached to each ear flap of the animal with visible, legible and indelible display of the identification code of the animal; or
2. an injectable transponder with legible and indelible display of the identification code of the animal. 

For deer, operators are permitted to choose from:

1. a conventional ear tag attached to each ear flap of the animal with visible, legible and indelible display of the identification code of the animal; or
2. an injectable transponder with legible and indelible display of the identification code of the animal; or
3. a tattoo applied to an animal with indelible display of the identification code of the animal.

And for reindeer, there is the option for operators to identify animals by an alternative method, authorised by DAERA. 

Operators can check alternative options which have been approved for use on reindeer by contacting DAERA at: FarmedAnimals.IRM@daera-ni.gov.uk

NOTE: At present there are no injectable transponders approved for use by DAERA, as no supplier has been identified which can provide suitable devices.  All electronic identification (EID) devices, (for example, injectable transponders or ruminal boluses) must meet the full specifications set out in the AHL.  This includes being encoded with the numerical version of the NI country code ‘899’, as well as the remaining elements of the animal identification code, set out at Q. 11.  

DAERA is currently exploring options with suppliers to source suitable transponders for use on animals in NI, and a further update will be provided in due course.

Q.11: How should camelids and cervids be identified?

Answer: Alpacas, llamas and deer must be identified using DAERA-approved means of identification sourced from DAERA-approved suppliers. 

Conventional Ear Tags

Operators should advise the supplier of their establishment code (AGN) and the individual animal numbers they intend to allocate to their animals. Approved suppliers will then print the full identification code, as follows:

• Country code: ‘XI’ on ear tags, and ‘899’ on EID devices, followed by the digit ‘1’
• Establishment number (AGN) – 6 digits, starting with digit ‘9’ for camelids and cervids
• Animal number: Unique 5-digit number for each animal, to be allocated by the operator 
• Example: XI 1 968974 00001

Operators must allocate and record their own animal identification numbers.

Note - Animal identification numbers will not be recorded on DAERA’s NI Food Animal Information System database (NIFAIS).  Only the operator’s establishment number in relation to camelids and cervids will be recorded by DAERA. Operators must record the full animal identification numbers in their holding register (See Q.16).   

Injectable Transponders

Operators will be advised of the process for sourcing and using injectable transponders should suitable devices be approved in the future.

Q.12: What is required to export camelid and cervid animals to the European Union (EU), including Ireland?

Answer: Any animals that are being exported to the EU, including Ireland, must be identified following the AHL rules (see Q. 11). This will prevent the animals’ ID numbers being deemed ineligible.

If re-identifying camelid and cervid animals, a record of the new identification number must be recorded against the old number in your holding register.

As with other live animals, the exportation of camelids and cervids is subject to the completion of relevant Export Health Certificates.  Further information can be found on the DAERA Exports webpage.

If you wish to export camelid or cervid animals to the EU, including Ireland, and there is any reason you believe it is not possible to re-identify your animal, contact the DAERA Trade Export team via email: daeratradeexports@daera-ni.gov.uk for further advice.

Q.13: What is required to move camelid and cervid animals to Great Britain (GB)?

Answer: The AHL does not apply to GB, therefore, camelid and cervid animals being moved from NI to GB, must be officially identified either following the AHL rules, or any original form of identification applied before the introduction of the new rules.

Q.14: What about camelids and cervids arriving in NI from Third Countries?

Answer: As is the case with cattle and sheep, operators must reidentify camelid and cervid animals arriving in NI from third countries, including GB, within 20 days from the date the animal arrives in NI, or before the animal leaves the establishment of first arrival if earlier.  There is no need to reidentify arrivals going to slaughter within five days.

This means alpacas, llamas and deer arriving in NI from third countries, including GB, must be reidentified under the AHL rules – See Q. 11 and a record of the new identification number must be recorded against the old number in your holding register. 

Q.15: Do I need any documents to accompany my alpacas and deer when they are being moved?

Answer: At present there are no AHL requirements to require movement documents be used for camelids and cervids, or to notify moves to DAERA.  Operators are required to ensure animals being moved are correctly identified, and must fulfil the record keeping requirements as set out at Q. 16. 

There will be export health certificate requirements when exporting animals to the EU, including Ireland – see Q.12.

Q.16: What records do I need to keep in respect of my camelid and cervid animals?

Answer: Operators keeping camelids and cervids must keep records, commonly referred to as a holding register, to include:

• The identification code of each animal on their establishment
• Movements of animals into and out of their establishment, including the unique registration or approval number of the establishment of origin/destination of the animals and dates of movements
• The number of animals held on their establishment
• Mortality of animals on their establishment

Operators keeping camelids and cervids must keep and retain records for at least three years following the death of each animal on their establishment or after leaving their possession.