Animal Health Status

TB - Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Programme

All animals must come from herds, which are Officially TB free (OTF - i.e., not restricted) and the herd and relevant animals must have had a clear test within the previous 12 months – this test must be recorded on the Department’s Animal Health Computer System (AHCS).  Animals which have disclosed inconclusive reactor results are not permitted to be moved for the purpose of exhibition at shows. 

From 13 April 2026, dairy cows that move from a show to a different herd must have been tested in the previous 30 days prior to movement.  For all other cows of any age, or a male over the age of 36 months, moves from a show to a different herd it must have had a  TB test in the last 6 months and the herd from which it is coming from must have had a herd test  within the previous 6 months of its movement into the new Herd. For further information see new bovine TB testing requirements for animal movements on www.bovinetb.ie

Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD)

All bovine animals must have a negative BVD status for BVD virus (not antibody) when moving, including to shows, within the state.  Animals entering the state, including Northern Ireland, must have a negative BVD viral antigen and a valid E.U. Health Certificate.

Identification, Registration, Movement Inspections 

The restriction of a holding for noncompliance with IDR related issues will also impact movement of bovine to a show for the period of the restriction.           

Bovine Identification & Mandatory Electronic Identification of bovines (EID)

Mandatory electronic identification (EID) of bovines has been implemented with effect from 1st July 2022.  This means that all bovine animals born on or after 1st July 2022 must be identified with 2 official flag tags, one of which contains an EID component. All bovines born prior to 1st July 2022 must continue to bear 2 official flag tags as heretofore.  There is no mandatory requirement that bovines in this age category bear an official EID tag. 

Passports

All bovines attending shows must be accompanied by their passports.

Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) Notification

1. The movement of cattle to and from an Agricultural Show/Fair within the State must be recorded on the AIM System.
2. With effect from 4 February 2019 there is a specific Certificates of Compliance for the “Movement of Bovine from a Single Holding to a Show”, form NBAS 31K refers.
3. The herd keeper must obtain the Certificate of Compliance prior to the movement of animals.  The certificate can be created by (i) using herd keepers’ on-line facility or (ii) where the keeper is not on-line the certificate can be generated by the local Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) following receipt of a completed form NBAS 31K.
4. The creation of a certificate is subject to normal movement criteria such as clear TB test etc. 
5. A copy of form NBAS 31K is included at Appendix 2 and will also be available on www.gov.ie.
6. When applying for this certificate, the Show/Fair number is not required. The certificate generated will include an “S” symbol.
7. The Certificate of Compliance for a show will continue to be valid for a period of up to 28 days.  As is currently the case, these can be used for the movement of animal/s to several shows during the validity period of the certificate.  Requests to the RVO should be provided with sufficient time to allow for the certificate to be generated and issued especially where one cert expires, and another is required immediately.  Keepers who are likely to attend at consecutive shows are strongly advised to apply using herd keepers’ on-line facility.  The ability to create and print a certificate immediately (subject to the bovine meeting the relevant criteria) will remove issues which can arise where a certificate is already in place and a further certificate is required.
8. Calves which are less than 10 days old cannot be moved to a Show.
9. The Movement Notification Section of the Certificate should be completed and signed by the keeper.  The form should also be signed and stamped by the Show Secretary who must clearly indicate the Show Number.  The Show movement must be recorded on the passport.  Ultimate responsibility for fulfilling these requirements lies with the Show Secretary.
10. If the animal/s move from the show to a herd other than the source herd, the new destination herd must also sign the certificate.
11. Completed forms must be sent by the Show Secretary to the local RVO within seven days of the Show. Failure to have movements recorded within the required time scale may have implications for the herd keeper/s involved.

Show Herd Number: S981