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  • Export certification for slaughter cattle to GB from premises of origin via an export assembly centre

    Topics:
    • Animal Health, Welfare and Trade, 
    • Exporting Animals, Animal Products and By-Products

    Date published: 21 May 2012

    Last updated: 19 December 2025

    These documents provide useful advice and guidance in relation to exporting slaughter cattle to Great Britain from premises of origin via an export assembly centre.

    The Traces Application Form has now been replaced by the GB Export Application Form below for these exports.

    Export certification for slaughter cattle to GB

    • From OUTSIDE of NI Bluetongue Control Zone - moves are permitted with no requirements beyond those normally in place.
    • DIRECT from Bluetongue Control Zone - requires a licence and may require additional testing or vaccination depending on if the animals for export are low-risk or high risk. 

    Low risk animals - do not require additional testing or vaccination. You can move these animals as per normal procedure but you will need to download a general licence to move out of the NI zone.

    High risk animals – these require additional pre-movement testing or vaccination as per the table shown. You will require a specific licence to move these animals. You must have been granted this licence BEFORE your PVP applies for the export or else the move will be blocked by NIFAIS.

    Licences – details of licence requirements, how to apply and downloads of available licences can be accessed here Bluetongue Licences | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

    Table of low-risk and high-risk categorisation

    Low-risk AnimalsHigh-risk Animals

    Females <18 months

    Bulls <14 months

    All castrated Males

    Females ≥18 months

    Bulls ≥14 months

    Requirements to export high-risk cattle

    Animal TypeRequired Certification
    Pregnant females ≥18 monthsPCR and ELISA test within 7 calendar days of export OR vaccination completed 3 weeks before pregnancy (Bultavo only)
    Non-pregnant females ≥18 monthsDeclaration from a vet to say not pregnant, otherwise requirements as per pregnant females.

     

    • Transport Certificate
    • GB Export Application Form

    Documents

    • Summary of formsAdobe PDF (79.14 KB)
    • Application for movement licence and passports form Adobe PDF (23.87 KB)
    • Owner's notes for guidanceMicrosoft Word (57 KB)
    • Owner's declarationMicrosoft Word (26.5 KB)
    • Notes for guidance for Authorised Veterinary Inspectors (AVIs)Microsoft Word (76.5 KB)
    • Checklist for Authorised Veterinary Inspectors (AVIs)Microsoft Word (50.5 KB)
    • Transporter's declarationMicrosoft Word (28 KB)

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