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Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

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  • Animal Health, Welfare and Trade

    Information about diseases, disease control and prevention, welfare of farmed and non-farmed animals, trade, importing and exporting animals and authorisation of PVPs for these official activities.

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    Animal diseases

    • Mpox Advice for Pet Owners
    • TB Eradication Partnership (TBEP) appointment information
    • Avian Avulavirus -1 AAvV-1 (Pigeon Paramyxovirus)

    Animal welfare

    • Introduction to animal welfare
    • Farmed animal welfare
    • Non-farmed animal welfare

    Bees

    The Department implements legislation relating to the health and welfare of bees. Work includes an annual survey for notifiable diseases and checks on imports. The team is responsible for the supervision of control and elimination of disease outbreaks.

    • Bees policy and legislation
    • Bee Health
    • Honeybee and bumblebee imports and exports

    Disease control and prevention

    • Introduction to disease control and prevention
    • Biosecurity
    • Information for owners of pet pigs

    Exporting animals, animal products and by products

    • FAQ Movement of Product of Animal Origin (POAO) to and from GB and for onward export V2
    • DAERA Premises List
    • DAERA Stakeholder Bulletins

    Identification, registration and movement

    • Introduction to Identification, Registration and Movement of Animals
    • Identification, registration and movement of cattle
    • Identification, registration and movement of sheep and goats

    Private veterinary practice and medicines

    • Animal medicines and residues
    • Annual TB training for Approved Veterinary Surgeons
    • Artificial insemination (AI)

    Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a leading cause of death worldwide, killing almost 3,500 people per day. An analysis of the global impact of AMR estimates resistance caused 1.27 million deaths in 2019, while antimicrobial-resistant infections played a role in 4.95 million deaths. If no action is taken, deaths from AMR are predicted to rise to 10 million by 2050, but in 2022 we are already closer to that figure than expected, a clear indication action on AMR and responsible use of veterinary medicines is critical.

    • What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?
    • Strategies to address AMR
    • AMR Resources, Information and Reports

    Tuberculosis (TB) Portal

    Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic bacterial disease that affects cattle and other animals, and can also be transmitted to humans.

    • TB in your Herd
    • TB Testing
    • PVP Zone

    Animal Health Law

    • Animal Health Visits

    Avian Influenza (AI)

    Avian influenza (AI), commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease affecting the respiratory, digestive and/or nervous system of many species of birds. It may also pose a threat to people and other animals in certain circumstances.

    • DAERA Dead Wild Bird Online Reporting Tool
    • Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak December 2021 Timeline
    • Events

    Exporting animals and animal products from Northern Ireland to GB, EU and Third Countries (Including guidance and application point for DAERA Export Certification On-Line (DECOL))

    Export requirements for animals and animal products depend on the commodity to be exported and its destination. You will find out which certificate applies to your export and how to apply for those in the links below.

    • Eggs and egg products exports
    • Fish and Seafood Products – exports for human consumption
    • Zoo, exotic and other animals exports

    Importing Animals, Animal Products and By-Products

    Welcome to DAERA Trade Imports, your premier destination for navigating the intricacies of the movement of products of animal origin and live animals from GB, EU and RoW into Northern Ireland with ease and confidence.

    • Points of Entry (PoE)
    • Return of NI cattle, sheep and goats from approved show or sale in GB
    • Imports of feathers, treated feathers and down

    Codes for use in a herd register

    The list is complete for Northern Ireland at present and will be revised by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) as necessary. However, if you require to record a breed not on the list, contact your local DAERA Direct Office (DDO) for advice. In the case of crossbreeds record only the dominant breed.

    SHA Online - Apply for a Support Health Attestation

    Applying for a SHA using the SHA Online system

    Information on TRACES

    TRACES (Trade Control and Expert System) is a web-based service for the application for, and issuing of, export health certificates for intra-community trade in live animals, their products and germplasm and certain other commodities.

    EHC Authenticity Online Check Service

    This is a service that allows Third Country competent authority officials to be able to link directly to the DECOL online system in order to be able to verify the authenticity of Export Health Certificates issued for exports to their respective countries.

    Peste des petits ruminants

    Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) is a highly contagious viral disease of sheep and goats and infection has been noted in antelope, camels and water buffalo. Cattle and pigs can be affected too, but tend not to develop clinical signs. Outbreaks result in morbidity and mortality rates as high as 90%.

    Related to Animal Health, Welfare and Trade

    Most recent publications

    • Support Documents for Exports of Germinal Products to Third Countries

      Published 30 May 2025
    • TB Partnership Steering Group - Bovine TB in Northern Ireland: Blueprint for Eradication

      Published 15 April 2025
    See all publications in this topic

    Most recent consultations

    • Public Consultation on proposed new rules for the sale and supply of puppies and kittens in Northern Ireland

      Published 2 June 2025 Closes 25 August 2025
    • Consultation on the introduction mandatory CCTV into slaughterhouses in NI

      Published 26 March 2025 Consultation closed
    See all consultations in this topic

    Most recent news items

    • Muir issues statement on Veterinary Medicine agreement for NI

      Published 19 June 2025
    • Independent Panel on Environmental Governance publishes Interim Report

      Published 17 June 2025
    See all news in this topic

    Access to information

    How to request information from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs including Freedom of Information (FOI), Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) and the use of our Publication Scheme.

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