New identification, registration and record-keeping rules are being introduced in Northern Ireland for the keeping of camels and cervids, including AlpacaAnd llamas and deer.
The new requirements, which aim to enhance animal traceability and protect against disease, will apply to all owners and breeders of camel and cervid cattle, including those who keep only small numbers of animals.
Unlike other livestock species, there were previously no legal requirements in Northern Ireland to register, identify or keep records of camelids and cervids.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) previously carried out a voluntary registration process under the now-repealed EU Balai Directive for those involved in the export of these animals.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir said: “Effective tracking is essential to protect animal health and welfare in Northern Ireland.
“These new measures will help prevent and manage disease outbreaks, while ensuring wardens have clear and consistent rules to follow.
“Registration is simple and free, and I strongly encourage all camel and cervid breeders to act now and complete registration well before the deadline.”
rules
Under the new rules, everyone who keeps camels and camels must:
- Register their enterprises with DAERA;
- Identify animals using DAERA-approved devices within nine months of birth or before they leave the birth site;
- Keep records for at least three years.
Since the requirements are quite new for camel and cervid breeders, they have been introduced on a phased basis.
All breeders must be registered by 30 September 2026, and begin keeping records from this date, with animal identification requirements becoming mandatory from 4 January 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 associations and local camel and cervid companies to support implementation.
A communications campaign is being launched to raise awareness of key commitments and deadlines.
