Animal health & welfare

Animal identification & movement

• Cattle
• National Sheep Identification System
• National Goat Identification System
• Sheep & goat census
• Tags & approved tag suppliers
• National Pig Identification and Tracing System

agfood.ie Help Videos

• Click here for online services help videos

Contact Us

• info@agriculture.gov.ie
• Lo-call 1890 200 510 or call us on 01 607 2000
• Drop in: Local Offices
• Give: Feedback

Food Harvest 2020

• Click here for further information

Department Notices

• Landscape Features

• Bleeding Syndrome in young calves of undetermined cause

• Supplier Payment Report (Government Decision No. S29296)

• Approved Establishments in the Veterinary and Zootechnical Field. Approved Laboratories.

• About Us
• Press
• Publications
• Legislation
• Tenders
• Gaeilge
• Forms & Downloads
• agfood.ie

National Pig Identification & Tracing System (NPITS)

In accordance with legal requirements the Department has developed a National Pig Identification and Tracing System (NPITS), which came into operation in July 2002. In broad terms the system involves the identification of all pigs that are moved off farm by either an ear tag or a slap mark and the identification of breeding stock with an individual number. All pig movements are recorded on a central movement database.

Only persons with valid pig herd numbers will be allowed to trade in pigs.

Tags and slap marks must be ordered from an approved tag company - Click here for a list of approved tag companies (doc 45Kb)

To notify a pig movement contact South Western Services (SWS) onLo-Call number 1890-291-000.

Pig herd owners who wish to be registered on the National Database should downloadthe following Application for Registration as a Pig Herd Owner (doc 37Kb) and  Pig Welfare Requirements Booklet

and return the application to:

Pig Herd Registration
Animal Health & Welfare
4 Centre - Agriculture House
Department of Agriculture & Food
Kildare Street
Dublin 2

The local District Veterinary Office will then be in contact to arrange an inspection of the premises for suitability.

For assistance, contact the Special Projects Unit of Animal Health and Welfare Division of the Department.

Helpline: 1890 504 604
Tel: 01 6072827