Transporter Authorisation, Certificates of Competence, Vehicle Approval and Journey Log rules from 1st January 2021
Under the Northern Ireland Protocol, Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 will remain in operation in Northern Ireland from 1st January 2021. DAERA will continue to regulate animal welfare during domestic transport in line with these requirements.
DAERA enforces and regulates welfare in transport requirements, in line with the EU legislation - Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 and corresponding domestic legislation.
However, the European Commission has stated that all UK transporter authorisations, certificates of competence and vehicle approvals, including those issued by DAERA, will no longer be valid for transporting animals from Northern Ireland to EU member states, including the Republic of Ireland.
Exporting live animals from Northern Ireland to the European Union including the Republic of Ireland
Q1. I am authorised by DAERA to transport live animals. Will my DAERA-issued Transporter Authorisation, Certificate of Competence, and vehicle approval certificates be valid for use in the European Union (EU), including the Republic of Ireland (ROI), from 1st January 2021?
DAERA-issued Transporter Authorisations, Certificates of Competence for drivers and attendants, and vehicle approval certificates will no longer be recognised by the European Commission for the transport of live animals to EU member states (including ROI).
Q2. Now my DAERA authorisaton is no longer valid for journeys to the EU or ROI, what do I need to do to continue to transport livestock to member states?
Transporters wishing to move live animals from Northern Ireland to the EU will need to be represented in an EU member state and apply to the relevant Government organisation there to obtain a valid:
- Transporter Authorisation
- Certificate of Competence
- Vehicle Approval Certificate
The Member State where you are seeking authorisation will provide guidance on the requirements you will need to fulfil, in order to be appropriately represented.
Q3. Will I need to obtain an approved journey log from DAERA for long journeys over 8 hours, which start in Northern Ireland and end in the EU or third countries?
Yes. Even if your authorisation is provided by an EU Member State, you must obtain an approved DAERA journey log for all long journeys over 8 hours involving livestock and unregistered horses, which start in Northern Ireland and end in a Member States or Third Country.
Exporting live animals from Northern Ireland to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)
Q4. I am authorised by DAERA to transport live animals. Can I continue to move animals from Northern Ireland into Great Britain from 1stJanuary 2021?
Yes. DAERA-issued Transporter Authorisations, Certificates of Competence for drivers and attendants, and vehicle approval certificates will continue to be recognised for transport to the other jurisdictions within the United Kingdom.
Q5. Will I be required to obtain an approved journey log from DAERA for long journeys over 8 hours starting in Northern Ireland and ending to GB?
No. Transport of animals from Northern Ireland to GB is deemed to be an intra-UK movement and a journey log is not required.
Transporting live animals from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to Northern Ireland
Q6. I have a GB-issued Authorisation to transport live animals. Can I continue to transport animals from GB into NI from 1st January 2021?
GB-issued Transporter Authorisations, Certificates of Competence, and vehicle approval certificates will continue to be valid for use within NI from 1st January 2021.
However, longer term, you may wish to seek authorisation from DAERA to ensure that you are compliant with rules in Northern Ireland, should there be divergence from these agreed arrangements.
Q7. If I wish to obtain a DAERA approved transporter authorisation, how do I do that?
Details on the short journey application process can be found here:
An application for long journey authorisation can be found here:
If you hold already hold a GB-issued certificate of competence, or vehicle approval they may deemed to be equivalent. However, DAERA will require that the transporter seeking approval has a physical presence in Northern Ireland.
Q8. Does a journey from GB to Northern Ireland, which is over 8 hours, require a Journey Log?
Journeys over 8 hours from GB to Northern Ireland will not require a DAERA approved journey log
Q9. Can I hold a DAERA issued transporter authorisation and a GB issued transporter authorisation at the same time?
Yes, you can hold these two authorisations concurrently.
Transporting live animals from the EU via Great Britain to Northern Ireland
Q10. I hold Transporter Authorisation, Certificates of Competence, and Vehicle Approval Certificates which are issued by an EU Member State. Are these valid for journeys from the EU, transiting GB and ending in Northern Ireland?
Transporter Authorisations obtained in an EU member state will still be valid in NI after 1st January 2021. However they will not be valid in GB. If you are transiting GB with live animals, you will need to hold a valid GB- or NI- issued Transporter Authorisation.
Q11. Do I require a Journey Log for journeys starting in the EU, travelling via GB and ending in NI?
If you are transporting livestock or unregistered horses on a journey of over 8 hours in connection with an economic activity, and the journey begins in the EU, transits GB and ends in NI, then you will require an EU Journey Log approved in the EU Member State of origin. In addition you will require a separate Journey Log approved by the Animal Plant and Health Authority in GB, to cover the entire journey.