Animal Health, Welfare and Trade

Trade Imports have varied responsibilities providing technical and administrative support to customers by facilitating the Import of live animals (including pets) and animal products.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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%.

This section of our website provides useful information and guidance in relation to cattle being exported for breeding, production or slaughter from Northern Ireland to Great Britain or EU Member States.

This section of our website provides useful information and guidance in relation to sheep and goats being exported for breeding, production or slaughter from Northern Ireland to Great Britain or EU Member States.

If you own or have responsibility for any establishment where livestock, equines or other non-farm animals are kept, you must register the establishment with DAERA. 'Equines' means horses, ponies, donkeys, zebras, and crossbreeds of those species. You are required to register your establishment with DAERA even if you only keep a small number of equines or other animals, including alpaca, llama, deer, back-yard poultry, pot-bellied pigs, and pygmy goats.

Anyone with responsibility for any establishment where equines are kept must register the establishment with DAERA. 'Equines' means horses, ponies, donkeys, zebras and crossbreeds of those species. This service allows users to check if an equine establishment number (EEN) is valid.

BRUCELLOSIS COMPENSATION RATES FOR JANUARY 2026

A new Export Health Certificate (EHC) is now available which permits, subject to certain conditions, the return to Northern Ireland (NI) of cattle, sheep and goats which originate in NI and are moved to Great Britain (GB) for an approved show or sale

DAERA Online Services, such as Nifais, Single Application and Map Service have been designed to help farmers reduce many of the paper based transactions required by DAERA and are free, easy to use, available 24/7, safe and secure. The Online Services also help farmers comply with legislation, reduce potential errors and give farmers access to detailed information about their business and animals.

DAERA has recommenced the programme of Veterinary Medicine Inspections in January 2026.

Information on the registration of a new equine establishment.

All cattle must be identified with DAERA approved ear tags and have their birth and identification notified to DAERA within 27 days. Deaths and movements must be notified within 7 days.

The Bluetongue Free status of NI is currently suspended as of 9pm Saturday 29th November 2025. This has effects upon exports.