New rules were introduced across the EU by the Animal Health Law (EU Regulation 429 of 2016), which came into force in April 2021. It lays down rules for the prevention and control of animal diseases that are transmissible to animals or humans, including for diseases which are considered to pose a considerable risk of spread when animals are moved between Member States.
The provisions of this Regulation and Delegated Regulations made thereunder are directly applicable in Ireland, as they are in other Member States.
The new rules are designed to give increased protection against the spread of disease through animal movement over and above the rules which were in place heretofore.
Requirements for operators include ensuring that animals complete a 30 day residency in a single establishment (herd) to be considered eligible to be exported either directly from that establishment of origin where they have established their 30 day residency or through a maximum of three assembly operations prior to departure to another country.
Operators must also ensure that there is a 14-day time limit from the date an animal departs its establishment of origin to its date of departure from the ultimate assembly centre in Ireland for another member state. Additionally, each livestock animal subjected to assembly operations must be moved to their final place of destination in another Member State at the latest within 20 days after the date of leaving the establishment of origin. This allows a maximum six day period to complete its journey to destination in another member state.
In the case of the transport of animals by sea, this period of 20 days may be extended by the duration of the journey by sea (Article 43 (1)(a) of Commission Delegated Regulation 688 of 2020.
The Department has issued detailed guidance to industry by way of a Trader Notice on 4 March 2022,12 May 2022 and 16 May 2022, which outline the relevant requirements.
