ANIMAL CONTROLS & SCHEMES

The well being of commercial farm animals and domestic pets is under the control of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Ireland.

A comprehensive animal identification and traceability system is essential to safeguard animal welfare and aid disease control in the national herd. Commercial farm animals such as cattle, sheep, horses, goats and pigs are all individually assigned a unique identifier number and this is the backbone of the animal traceability system operated by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

The import and export of liver animals and the movement of animals within the country is carefully controlled to provide full traceability for animals and ensure the animals are looked after in a humane manner. All persons who keep commercial farm animals are required to be registered with the Department of Agriculture. A unique identifier number (Herd no., Flock no., Horse no., Pig no. etc.) is assigned to each individual owner and a dealer number is assigned to people who buy and sell animals on behalf of other individuals.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is responsible for animal welfare together with disease control and prevention for commercial farm animals and domestic stock. Farm animals are routinely tested for diseases such as Tuberculosis and Brucellosis. Certain animal diseases, termed Notifiable Diseases, have to be notified to the Department of Agriculture who administer controls and offer advice to animal keepers to prevent the occurrence and spread of animal illnesses. Animal welfare issues overseen concern the protection of animals during transport, prohibition on tail docking of bovine animals and the welfare of farmed animals, including laying hens, calves and pigs and animals being slaughtered

– Animal Welfare
– Animal Disease Management
– Animal Movement