New identification, registration and record-keeping rules are being introduced in Northern Ireland for the keeping of camelid and cervid animals, including alpacas, llamas and deer.
The new requirements, which are intended to strengthen animal traceability and disease protection, will apply to all owners and keepers of camelid and cervid livestock, including those keeping only small numbers of animals.
Unlike other livestock species, there have previously been no statutory requirements in Northern Ireland for registering, identifying or keeping records for camelids and cervids.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) previously operated a voluntary registration process under the now‑repealed EU Balai Directive for those involved in the export of these animals.
Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir said: “Effective traceability is essential to protect animal health and welfare in Northern Ireland.
“These new measures will help prevent and manage disease outbreaks, while ensuring keepers have clear and consistent rules to follow.
“Registration is simple and free, and I strongly encourage all camelid and cervid keepers to act now and complete registration well ahead of the deadline.”
Rules
Under the new rules, everyone keeping camelids and cervids must:
- Register their establishments with DAERA;
- Identify animals using DAERA‑approved devices within nine months of birth or before they leave the holding of birth;
- Keep records for at least three years.
As the requirements are entirely new for camelid and cervid keepers, they are being introduced on a phased basis.
All keepers must be registered by September 30, 2026, and start keeping records from this date, with animal identification requirements becoming mandatory from January 4, 2027. Registration can be done on the DAERA website.
The new measures are required under the EU Animal Health Law (AHL) and apply in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.
DAERA officials have worked with industry stakeholders, including representative groups and societies and local camelid and cervid businesses to support implementation.
A communication campaign is being rolled out to raise awareness of the obligations and key deadlines.