Information : United Kingdom

COUNTRY NAME: United Kingdom

There is free movement of animals between EU Member States, subject to compliance with EU trade legislation.  See below for specific requirements for individual species of animal.

Live Cattle

The animals must be properly identified, undergo a veterinary inspection, be fit to travel, and be accompanied by an Intra-Community Trade Animal Health Certificate (ITAHC), issued under the EU TRACES system by the Department.

Cattle are usually exported from approved assembly centres and must complete a 30-day residency period on a holding and a TB test prior to export.   A list of assembly centres can be found here.

Trade in cattle with certain EU Member States is subject to additional guarantees in relation to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR).  Please click here for further information. 

Live pigs, sheep and goats

The animals must be properly identified, undergo a veterinary inspection, and be fit to travel.  The animals must also be accompanied by an Intra-Community Trade Animal Health Certificate (ITAHC) issued under the EU TRACES system by the Department.

If you have any questions, please contact your local DVO.

Live horses to the UK

There is a “Tripartite Agreement” between Ireland, France and the UK on the movement of horses (except for slaughter) between these countries. 

Horses travelling to the UK must be fit to travel; be microchipped; and be accompanied by a valid passport issued by an approved passport-issuing body. They do not need to be accompanied by a health certificate (ITAHC).

Please contact the following “TPA approved” bodies for further information: The Turf Club, The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA) and Horse Sport Ireland (HIS).

If you have questions, please contact horseexports@agriculture.gov.ie.