AQW 6146/22-27


Mr Tom Elliott
Ulster Unionist Party
Fermanagh and South Tyrone


Tabled Date: 12/02/2024
Answered On Date: 29/02/2024
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on standstill rules for livestock movement from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.


Answer:
The movement of livestock from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI) is subject to The Trade in Animals and Related Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011.
In respect of livestock standstill requirements, under these regulations the movement of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs is subject to a standstill period on their holding of destination in NI for a period of at least 30 days following their movement from GB, unless consigned direct from the holding to a slaughterhouse.
Under these regulations, livestock must also comply with a residency standstill period in GB as contained within the relevant Export Health Certificate conditions and in line with requirements under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692.
The length of the residency period differs depending on the species and the purpose of the movement, e.g. the GB residency period for bovine, ovine, caprine and porcine species intended for breeding and productions is 6 months, but the same species intended for slaughter have a 3-month GB residency requirement.
In addition to the country residency period prior to movement to NI, there is also a residency requirement at establishment of origin level in GB. The residency period at establishment of origin in GB is 30 days, or since birth, for movement of bovine, ovine, caprine and porcine species to NI.
There are no GB country or establishment residency requirement for Northern Ireland origin cattle and sheep returning within 15 days from an approved show or sale in GB.
There have been no recent changes or updates to these legislative standstill requirements.
Please note, due to the current outbreak of Bluetongue Virus strain BTV-3 in GB, movement of all live ruminants from GB to NI is suspended. No update is available yet as to when this trade will be able to resume, however, trade is not expected to resume in the near future.