Animal Health, Welfare and Trade

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.

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.

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.

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.

Applying for a SHA using the SHA Online system

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.

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 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%.