Exporting animals and animal products from Northern Ireland

Live animals e.g. cattle, sheep, cats and dogs and animal products e.g. meat, milk products and germplasm must be accompanied by an Export Health Certificate (EHC) signed by an authorised Veterinarian. 

You can obtain an EHC from DAERA via our online application process and you can also find advice, answers to exporters most frequently asked questions and templates to help you make your application on this page. Applications should be made at least 3 working days in advance of the date of export. This is the date of loading of your consignment from premises of dispatch. Information not available at the time of application can be submitted via a link prior to export, however this may delay provision of your EHC

To apply for an EHC or find out more commodity specific information click on the relevant box below:

Meat and meat product exports

Milk and milk product exports

Pets

Live animals including cattle, sheep, poultry, and horses

Animal products including hides, skins and germplasm

Balai, zoo and exotic animals

 

Fish and fish products

Aquaculture

 

Eggs and egg products

Composite products (to follow)

Further general information on exporting can be accessed via the following links:

Important – Exporter Information Notices, detailing important information on exporting and use of the DECOL system

For queries, please contact as follows:

For meat, dairy and composite food product certificates issued by DAERA or live animals, animal by-products, hides, skins, germplasm, hatching eggs and table egg certificates issued by Authorised Veterinary Inspectors:

All exporters must contact their AVI provider directly to ensure the appropriate service can be provided.

For sea fish, fish products, fish and egg composite products certificates issued by Local Authorities:

For live aquaculture and farmed fish certificates issued by DAERA Inland Fisheries Inspectorate:

More useful links

Privacy notice- To find out how any personal information you send to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) will be handled when using this service, go to DAERA Privacy Statement.

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