DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DARD)
INTRA-COMMUNITY TRADE IN SHEEP & GOATS FOR BREEDING
DIRECT FROM THEIR PREMISES OF ORIGIN TO AN EU MEMBER STATE
NOTES FOR GUIDANCE FOR AUTHORISED VETERINARY INSPECTORS
1.
KEY DOCUMENTS
The following key documents must be read and understood prior to completing and
signing the Intra-trade Animal Health Certificate (ITAHC) for animals of the ovine/caprine
species for breeding.
 OD (PO) (91/68 EIII)
 VSSPT(PO) (91/68 EIII)
 EU-BG-S/G NFG AVI PO
 EU-BG-S/G CKL AVI PO
2.
Owner’s declaration
VS support certificate (premises of origin)
This document
AVI checklist procedures
SCOPE
This Intra Trade Animal Health Certificate (ITAHC) 91/68 EIII (2013/784) Ovine/Caprine
for breeding, must be used for sheep and goats for breeding exported from their
premises of origin to their destination in another Member State. The signed declaration
OD (PO) (91/68 EIII) and Veterinary Service support certificate VSSPT (PO) (91/68 EIII)
must be retained by the AVI for record purposes. One certificate should be issued for
each consignment of animals, i.e. for animals travelling from one premises of origin to the
same place of destination in one vehicle (a lorry with separate trailer counts as two
vehicles). The final health certificate may be issued by the AVI following completion of the
check-list EU-BG-S/G CKL AVI PO on the basis of the appropriate support documents.
The check-list and support documents should be retained by the AVI and must not
accompany the export consignment.
3.
CERTIFICATION BY AN AVI
This certificate may be signed by an AVI appointed by the Department of Agriculture and
Rural Development (DARD) who is on the appropriate panel for export purposes. AVIs
should apply their AVI stamp to the certificate in the normal manner. The health certificate
must be signed and stamped with the AVI stamp in any ink colour OTHER THAN BLACK.
4.
COMPLETING PART I of ITAHC
DESCRIPTION OF ANIMALS
The following information must be entered on eSAVI for all the animals being exported.
 Official Identification
 Breed
 Sex
 Age
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The age of the animals should be entered using the most suitable age category on
eSAVI. The age of the animals should be obtained from the Owner’s declarations and/or
the physical characteristics of the animals.
In the case of animals for breeding the sex and breed must be entered on eSAVI. The
description entered on eSAVI will appear on the OVNLIC movement licence when it is
printed. It should be used as a schedule to the ITAHC. Section I.31 of the ITAHC must
be annotated “see attached schedule OVNLIC serial no -----------". Each page of the
schedule (OVNLIC) must bear:
 A page number
 The Serial number of the OVNLIC
 The ITAHC serial number
The schedule must be stapled inside the health certificate and the AVI should "fan" and
stamp over the pages of the schedule and certificate. One corner of the schedule and
certificate should be folded over and stamped also.
OFFICIAL IDENTIFICATION OF SHEEP AND GOATS INTENDED FOR EXPORT
Sheep leaving any premises in Northern Ireland must be individually identified with two
matching identifiers (usually tags), one of which must carry an EID device. This
identification meets the requirements for export to GB or EU member states. Identification
must comply with the requirements of The Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and
Movement) Order (NI) 2009.
Goats born or first tagged after 31st Dec 2009 for export to EU Member States including
the Republic of Ireland must be individually identified with 2 matching identifiers (usually
tags) one of which must carry an EID device. Goats born or first tagged before 31st Dec
2009 for export to EU Member States including the Republic of Ireland must be
individually identified with 2 matching identifiers (usually tags) one of which may carry an
EID device. Identification must comply with the requirements of The Sheep and Goats
(Records, Identification and Movement) Order (NI) 2009.
PLACE OF LOADING
I.14 of the certificate refers. The place of loading will be the premises of origin (see I.12 of
the certificate) where the final export health certificate is issued.
5.
COMPLETING PART II of the ITAHC
HEALTH INFORMATION
II. 1 COUNTRY OF BIRTH (any option which does not apply should be deleted)
The AVI should have a written owner’s declaration OD (PO) (91/68 EIII) with regard to the
country in which the animals have been born and reared. Flock records should be
checked to verify this and, if necessary, a photocopy taken.
Where the sheep or goats have been born and reared since birth in any EU member state
the first option should be selected.
Sheep or goats which have been legally imported into the European Community from a
third country in accordance with harmonised Community rules or legally imported into NI
from a third country in accordance with an import licence issued by DARD and
subsequently resident in NI for at least 30 days, comply with the second option at II.1. If
the AVI has reason to doubt the validity of the declaration, the local DVO should be
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consulted.
II.2.1 CLINICAL INSPECTION
The examination should be carried out within 24 hours of loading. For the purposes of
export certification, EC legislation does not differentiate between the terms inspection and
examination and in general the terms inspection and visual examination are synonymous.
The pre-export examination or inspection should consist of a visual appraisal and if
deemed appropriate, physical examination of the animals for export. AVIs must use their
professional judgement to decide what is required in order to ensure that no animal is
exported which shows clinical signs of disease, and that animals are fit to travel to their
intended destination. Each animal subject to an inspection must be appraised as an
individual. The date of the inspection should be entered at II.2.1 of the ITAHC in ink of
any colour other than black.
II.2.2 – II.2.5 NOTIFIABLE DISEASE CLEARANCE
AVIs may certify II. 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 of the ITAHC on behalf of the Department,
provided written authority to do so has been obtained from the local DVO/AVI on a
Veterinary Service support certificate VSSPT(PO) (91/68 EIII). You should also have a
completed Owner’s Declaration declaring these disease freedoms.
II.3 RESIDENCY & STANDSTILL
You will require a completed Owner’s Declaration OD (PO) (91/68 EIII) to enable you to
certify II.3 of the ITAHC. The flock records may be checked to verify this. If necessary,
take a copy for your records.
If the flock-keeper selects par 5.(c)(ii) on the Owner’s Declaration – i.e. use of an
approved export isolation facility for moved in animals, you should check that the
flockkeeper has a current approved export isolation facility by viewing the “Licence for
Operation of an Export Isolation Facility” and checking that it is still valid. The license
is valid for one year from the date of issue. Alternatively you could check this by
contacting your local DARD office.
II.4 ADDITIONAL GUARANTEES
II.4 should be deleted as no additional guarantees have been given by any Member State.
II.5 & II.6 BRUCELLOSIS FREEDOM
In accordance with Commission Decision 93/52/EEC (as amended) the United Kingdom
(Great Britain and Northern Ireland) is recognised as officially free of brucellosis (B
melitensis) and therefore all holdings in Northern Ireland (NI) are officially brucellosis-free
(B melitensis). The AVI should insert ‘United Kingdom and ‘93/52’ in the statement after
the “either” in II.5 and delete the remainder of II.5 and II. 6 (all except first 2 lines)
II.7. CONTAGIOUS EPIDIDYMITIS (Brucella ovis) – Rams only
Delete all of II.7. if no uncastrated breeding rams are in the consignment being certified.
II.7.(i) Absence of Contagious Epididymitis.
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This may be certified on behalf of the Department, provided written authority to do
so has been obtained from the local DVO/AVI on a Veterinary Service support
certificate VSSPT(PO) (91/68 EIII).
II.7.(ii). Residency of Rams
Each breeding ram to be exported must have remained on the holding of origin for
a continuous period of 60 days immediately prior to export. You should be in
receipt of a declaration from the owner OD (PO) (91/68 EIII). This period of
residency is not required in the case of male goats.
II.7.(iii) Pre-export testing (Rams only))
Blood samples must be taken from all rams for export and sent to AFBI (Agrifood
and Biosciences Institute) for testing using the complement fixation test for Brucella
ovis. A negative result is less than 50 icftu/ml. This test is not required in the case
of male goats.
II.8 OTHER DISEASE FREEDOMS
The AVI must obtain an owner’s declaration OD (PO) (91/68 EIII) and a Veterinary Service
Support certificates VSSPT(PO) (91/68 EIII) with regard to the assurances in this
paragraph. If any of the sheep for export have come into contact with sheep or goats from
other holdings where disease has occurred within the specified time periods, those
animals are disqualified from export but this does not disqualify any other sheep or goats
on the exporting holding which comply with the requirement of II 8. If the AVI has doubt
as to the validity of the declaration, the health certificate must not be signed and the local
DVO should be consulted.
II.9. SCRAPIE REQUIREMENTS
Export of Sheep & Goats to Austria Denmark, Finland and Sweden only
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 999/2001 provides additional guarantees to Austria
Denmark, Finland and Sweden for scrapie as they have an approved national scrapie
control programme. The certificates have been amended twice recently to accommodate
these changes so please contact Trade Branch for guidance in the event of being asked
to certify sheep or goats to these countries.
Export of Sheep & Goats to EU Member states except Austria, Denmark, Finland
and Sweden
Sheep or Goats may be exported to EU Member States except Austria, Denmark, Finland
or Sweden if:
1. They are exported from flocks or herds in the Scrapie Monitoring Scheme (See
Section (A) below)
or
2. They are sheep (but not goats) of Genotype ARR/ARR.
(See Section (B) below)
(A) Sheep and Goats from Scrapie Monitored Flocks/Herds
The flock or herd of origin may comply with the scrapie requirements for intra-Community
trade in sheep or goats for breeding to these countries by registration in the DARD
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Scrapie Monitoring Scheme. Written confirmation must be obtained from the local DVO
VSSPT(PO) (91/68 EIII) that the flock/herd of origin is registered. In addition, compliance
with the requirements of the scrapie monitoring scheme should be confirmed through the
Owner’s Declaration OD (PO) (91/68 EIII).
There are lots of different Scrapie options on the ITAHC at par II.9. For sheep/goats from
Scrapie Monitored flocks/herds the only ones which should be certified are the two which
read as follows: (They are in the top half of page 3 of the ITAHC)
[II.9.The animals are intended for a Member State other than those with a negligible risk
status for classical scrapie approved in accordance with the first subparagraph of
point 2.2 of Section A of Chapter A of Annex VIII to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001
or other than those which are listed in point 3.2 of Section A of Chapter A of Annex
VIII to Regulation (EC)No 999/2001 as having an approved national scrapie control
programme, and come from a holding or holdings
[recognised as having a controlled risk of classical scrapie in accordance with
point 1.3 of Section A of Chapter A of Annex VIII to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001.]
All other options should be deleted.
(B) Sheep of ARR/ARR Genotype (N.B. this option does not apply to goats)
Sheep of the ARR/ARR prion protein genotype may be certified for intra-Community trade
even if they come from flocks which are not registered in DARD’s Scrapie Monitoring
Scheme provided they do not come from flocks under restriction as a result of
confirmation of a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in the flock.
To be ARR/ARR genotyped, the blood sample for testing must have been taken:
(i) by a Private Veterinary Practitioner as part of the Northern Ireland Scrapie Plan
(NISP) or the National Scrapie Plan (NSP) in Great Britain;
OR
(ii) by a Private Veterinary Practitioner and tested by Animal and Plant Health
Agency (AHPA), the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC);
OR
(iii) by a Private Veterinary Practitioner and tested at any officially approved EU
laboratory with ISO17025 accreditation.
You must be in receipt of a certificate, produced under any of the above schemes, to
confirm the ARR/ARR genotype. Please note, any certificates produced using option
(iii) above must state that a Veterinarian took the blood sample and include the
name and address of the Veterinarian.
For sheep being certified on the basis of ARR/ARR genotype the two conditions which
read as follows should be certified: (They are in the top half of page 3 of the ITAHC)
[II.9.The animals are intended for a Member State other than those with a negligible risk
status for classical scrapie approved in accordance with the first subparagraph of
point 2.2 of Section A of Chapter A of Annex VIII to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001
or other than those which are listed in point 3.2 of Section A of Chapter A of Annex
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VIII to Regulation (EC)No 999/2001 as having an approved national scrapie control
programme, and come from a holding or holdings
[not subject to the measures laid down in points 3 and 4 of Chapter B of Annex VII
to Regulation (EC) No 99/2001 and the animals are of the ovine species of the
ARR/ARR prion protein genotype.]
All other options should be deleted.
II.10.1 – II.10.3 TRANSPORT
II.10.1 Cleansing and Disinfection of Vehicle etc
The AVI must obtain a written declaration from the owner/transporter/exporter OD
(PO) (91/68 EIII) that the animals will be transported from the holding in vehicles
previously cleansed and disinfected with a DARD approved disinfectant and “in
such a way as to provide effective protection of the animals’ health status”. This
means transport without coming into contact with cloven-hoofed animals other than
those of a similarly certified level of health status, i.e. for breeding.
II.10.2 DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF JOURNEY
The date when the consignment is due to start its journey should be entered.
II.10.3 FITNESS FOR TRANSPORT
See “Welfare Section” below.
BLUETONGUE (BT): EXEMPTION FROM EXIT BAN
Northern Ireland is officially free from Bluetongue so Part II, Section Bluetongue (BT) –
exemption from the exit ban – BT-1, BT-2, BT-4 and BTA1 to BTA8 should all be deleted.
However, if animals moving out of NI to another Bluetongue free zone are transiting a
restricted zone then insecticide treatment of vehicles is required, in which case BT-3
should be completed - otherwise BT-3 should be deleted.
6.
FINAL COMPLETION OF ITAHC
Having completed all the checks, tests etc and ensuring the ITAHC is fully completed and
all appropriate deletions have been made the AVI must sign and stamp the certificate with
the AVI’s official stamp in ink of any colour other than black.
In addition, an ITAHC printed in the language of the country of destination must
accompany the consignment to its final destination. (AVIs registered on TRACES
will have to produce their own foreign language copy.) The date and AVI stamp
should be applied to the unsigned foreign language version. Parts I and II of the
completed (English language) ITAHC must be placed on top of the MS language Parts I
and II, then stapled and fan stamped together as a single certificate to accompany the
consignment to the destination premises.
7.
SENDING OF TRACES NOTIFICATION AND CONFIRMATION OF EXPORT ON eSAVI
In order to meet the requirement for notification of animal movements to other Member
States, AVIs must complete a TRACES notification immediately following the signature of
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the ITAHC. The export must also be declared on e-SAVI. This process removes the
animals exported out of the exporting flock list.
8.
CANCELLATION OR CHANGES TO THE CONSIGNMENT DETAILS FOLLOWING
CERTIFICATION
If the consignment is
 cancelled, or
 its date/time of departure has changed significantly, or
 a different vehicle is used, or
 all the animals are not loaded,
The AVI must send a replacement TRACES message giving details of the changes and
notify DARD of animals not exported (if declaration on e AVI has already been done).
9.
WELFARE
Council Regulation 1/2005 lays down the provisions for the protection of animals during
transport. The Regulation is enforced in Northern Ireland by the Welfare of Animals
(Transport) Regulations (NI) 2006. Article 3 of the EU Regulation requires that animals
must be fit for the intended journey before the journey starts and must remain sufficiently
fit throughout the journey and that no person shall transport them in a way likely to cause
injury or undue suffering. This means that animals should be healthy enough to tolerate
the entire journey they are about to make (including loading, unloading and any journey
breaks) with no or very little adverse effect on them and that the journey should not cause
the animals any suffering or injury. Animals not considered to be fit for transport include
those that:
 are unable to move independently without pain or to walk unassisted;
 present a severe open wound, or prolapse;
 are pregnant females for whom 90% or more of the expected gestation period has
already passed, or females who have given birth in the previous week;
 are new-born mammals in which the navel has not completely healed;
 are lambs of less than one week unless they are transported less than 100 km.
As certifying AVI you must reject any animal where, in your professional judgement, there
is doubt over its fitness on the intended journey. Further detailed guidance on the fitness
requirements can be obtained from the DARD website www.dardni.gov.uk.
10.
TRANSPORTER AUTHORISATION AND VEHICLE CERTIFICATION
Articles 10 and 11 of Council Regulation 1/2005 require transporters of animals to be
authorised, and Article 18 requires that the vehicle or trailer used to transport animals on
long journeys has a certificate of approval.
For journeys over 65km (approx. 40 miles), transporters must:
 Hold a transporter authorisation.
 If transporting horses, farmed animals or poultry, ensure drivers and attendants are in
possession of a certificate of competence (from January 2008).
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

Demonstrate that they have appropriate staff and equipment to transport animals in a
proper way and to have no record of serious infringements of animal welfare legislation
in the preceding 3 years.
Complete an Animal Transport Certificate for each journey.
For long journeys (over 8 hours) transporters must also:
 Be in possession of a long journey transporter authorisation.
 If the vehicle is used for transporting farmed animals and horses, get it inspected and
approved.
 Ensure contingency plans in case of emergencies are in place.
 Ensure the Journey Log has been completed (for journeys of unregistered horses and
livestock).
Application forms and further details of the requirements for authorisation and
certification are available from the DARD website www.dardni.gov.uk or from your local
DVO
11.
JOURNEY LOGS
Journey logs are required for all journeys exceeding 8 hours to other EU Member
States. These must be submitted to the DVO for approval prior to departure. The format
of the log is laid down in Annex II of Council Regulation 1/2005.
12.
RETENTION OF SUPPORT CERTIFICATION
Copies of all support documentation (i.e. Owner’s Declarations, Checklist and Veterinary
Service support certificate) should be retained for 2 years by the certifying AVI. In addition
you must keep a TRUE (i.e. carbon, photo or scanned) copy of the completed ITAHC for 2
years.
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