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Apply for a flock or herd number
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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A herd or flock number for cattle, sheep or goats is issued by the Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) to a herd or flock solely for the purposes of disease control. It is issued to the person acting as the keeper of the animals and does not infer ownership of lands or any animals tested or kept under that herd number.
The keeper is the person responsible for the care of the animals under various disease eradication and control schemes and for complying with animal identification regulations and for record keeping.
Information is available if a transfer of entitlements is required.
Please note that entitlements do not automatically transfer upon a change of name on the herd number.
The Regional Veterinary Office makes an assessment before issuing a flock or herd number. In order to minimise disease and maximise animal health, herds and flocks in the application must meet the following criteria:
- herd or flock exclusively occupies a defined holding
- there are separate entrances to the holding
- entry points onto other adjoining lands, not part of the application, are permanently blocked
- perimeter fencing should be stock-proof at a minimum and also prevent direct contact between stock on adjoining holdings
- there are independent and separate facilities such as:
-separate cattle crush or sheep and goat handling facilities
-separate feeding and watering facilities
-separate farm machinery
- adequate facilities for inspection, loading, unloading, marshalling, watering, feeding, isolation, treatment of sick or injured animals and housing as appropriate
- adequate facilities for animal bedding and the collection or storage of manure and wastewater
It is not allowed to have animals under different herd numbers in the same holding or the same yard even if they are in different fields on the farm or different sheds in the yard. You can also read further information on the application conditions.
These forms must be returned to your local Regional Veterinary Office .
Application for registration as a keeper of animals under the Disease Eradication Schemes:
Form ER1: Disease Eradication Schemes
Application for registration as a keeper of animals under the Disease Eradication Schemes.
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Application form to register as herd owner in a herd number:
Form ER1.1: Herdowner Application
Application form to register an interest in the role as 'herd owners' in a herd number.
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