You may apply to export live animals including horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, captive birds and hatching eggs following the instructions below.
Before you start
GB Trade
If you are exporting cattle or sheep to Great Britain (GB) you should make your application to your Authorised Veterinary Practitioner (aPVP) and they will progress this export for you using the electronic systems, eAVI and eSAVI respectively for the certification process.
If you are exporting any other species, apply online via DECOL (DAERA Export Certification On-line) system, DAERA`s online application process via this link, Start your Export Health Certificate Application.
Applications should be made at least two working days in advance of the date of loading of your consignment from the dispatching establishment. You may submit final information that is not available at the time of application, but before export, via a link in DECOL. Note, however, that doing this may delay provision of your EHC.
Continue to the specific live animal pages below for more information.
Important information for those exporting live animals to Great Britain for slaughter
Anyone sending animals to slaughter in Great Britain (GB) must provide evidence to the abattoir that their herd/flock has received regular animal health visits from a vet.
Annual health visits are a requirement under EU legislation to permit the export of meat from Great Britain into an EU Member State.
We strongly advise anyone sending animals for slaughter at an abattoir in GB to check with the abattoir in advance regarding what evidence is required to demonstrate animal health visits. Failure to provide required evidence may result in the abattoir refusing to accept the animals.
EU Trade
Applications for certificates for EU Trade are made on TRACES NT (Trade Control and Expert System New Technology) This is a web-based service for the application for, and issuing of, export health certificates for intra-community (EU) trade in live animals, their products, germinal products and certain other commodities. Exporters have the option of creating their own account on TRACES NT (TNT) before proceeding to apply for an EU INTRA-trade certificate.
Guidance on using TRACES NT may be found at:
Please see attached link for guidance A step by step guide to getting started on TRACES NT
You can also register your herd/flock on the TRACESNT system using guidance which can be found at TRACES NT – User Guides.
Otherwise, they may complete the TRACES application form TRACES application form and forward it to an authorised private veterinary practitioner (aPVP) who can then provide your health certificate if your export meets its requirements.
Notes for guidance are available for frequently used EU INTRA certificates in the specific animal pages. Some of these notes are in the form of a template of the certificate. These templates are available only to Certifying Veterinary Officers and are password protected. If you require the password, please contact DAERATradeExports@daera-ni.gov.uk and include your RCVS membership number for verification purposes.
A list of EU Member States is available Countries in the EU and EEA | GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Journey Logs
A Journey Log is required for long journeys over 8 hours between Member States and for third countries for cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and unregistered horses. It is not required for journeys within the UK e.g., NI to GB. The INTRA certificate on TRACES NT for EU trade triggers creation of an electronic journey log, where required. There is further information on Journey Logs below:
Animal Specific Links & Guidance
Animal-specific export guidance for EU and GB trade is available here:
If you are unable to find relevant supporting documents or guidance, please contact DAERATradeExports@daera-ni.gov.uk
Third Country Trade
If a third country (i.e., not an EU Member State) has agreed to accept animals from the UK, an Export Health Certificate and its associated Guidance will be available in Form Finder within DAERA Export Certification On-Line (DECOL), DAERA`s online application system
To proceed click Start your Export Health Certificate Application (external link opens in a new window / tab)
Applications should be made at least two working days in advance of the date of loading of your consignment from the dispatching establishment. You may submit information not available at the time of application but prior to export, via a link in DECOL. Note however that doing this may delay provision of your EHC.
See updates for third country exports at Northern Ireland to Third Country Exports Information.
DECOL guidance
If you need digital help to complete an application for an Export Health Certificate (EHC) please contact your regional DAERA Direct Office for assistance.
Use of Schedules
If there is insufficient space on the EHC application to record all the required details, complete a schedule and submit this with your application. Follow the link below and select “Supplementary Schedule – Generic”.
Schedule for additional product information
Finding an aPVP
An aPVP is a Private Veterinary Practitioner authorised to carry out certification for certain animals or commodities. Your aPVP must be authorised for the category of animal you intend to export.
If you require the services of an aPVP for export certification purposes please use the link, Northern Ireland Veterinary Practices listed for aPVP's, which has aPVPs associated with their practices. You should contact your preferred practice(s) and discuss with them directly your certification requirements.
Nomination of Certifying Veterinarian (Authorised Private Veterinary Practitioner (aPVP))
Exporters should complete a nominate Authorised Veterinary Practitioner (aPVP) template and submit this with their application. All export documentation will be issued directly to the nominated aPVP once DAERA has processed the application.
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