Pig Herd Number

In Ireland a Pig Herd Number is required for anyone who wants to buy, sell or butcher pigs. If you are moving a pig off farm (or out of your garden!!) You need either an Ear Tag or Slap Mark. You also have to notify the Department when you move a Pig on or off your land (both parties have to do this). A Breeding Sow will need a tag (or if a pig is leaving your land for any reason other than slaughter then they will need a tag too.)

After you are given a herd number you will recieve an Information pack containing:

1Your Herd Number

2Your NPITS Pin number (you will need this when you ring the dept.)

3Pig Dispatch Documents (you will fill this out when you sell or butcher your pig. When you purchase a pig the person the person selling you the pig fills out the paperwork - you just give them your herd number and they give you a copy of the form.)

We transport our pigs ourselves to the abbatoir, there is a part of your form that you have to fill out for livestock transport too.

4Some general Information. Eg List of Abbatoirs with their codes attached.

Below are a few links that you will need. Please don't let the paperwork put you off. It really is simple & if you are only growing for yourself then some thing that needs to be done only once or twice a year. Also don't be afraid to ask any questions, people are generally more than happy to help.

NEW LINK FOR UPDATED FORM - APPLICATION FOR A PIG HERD NUMBER

Note: we had a good look at this and it is updated so even if you've looked at the application on our old link please check out the new one for updated requirements. Feb 2011 (the form now recognises backyarders ie 5 pigs and under).

Having filled this out ourselves we can tell you that it's a fairly straightforwad application form, a lot is not applicable to smallholders rearing their own - Where this occurs just put in n/a (not applicable). Eg you won't have a VAT number or Company Reg No. For "type of business" we filled in other writing "Free Range" Lighting got described as Natural, as did Ventilation. You get the idea. If they have any problems or questions they can ring you.

Pig Welfare Requirements

This is a pdf printed by the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council and conatins a full list of stanards currently acceptable. This is geared towards larger industrial outfits but has some useful infomation for you (You should read this as it's what all Vets carrying out inspection's currently look for).

Then Return your application to:

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

You will then be inspected for suitability - We had a lovely person come for our inspection, who was helpfull & had some great advice for us. So the visit isn't something to be feared, in fact a well run outdoor system is something that most Vets love to see happening.

If you need any help the Dept of Agriculture lists their helpline as 1890 504 604

Q Why do I need this?

A no abbatoir will butcher an animal that dosen't have a Herd Number & it is illegal to purchase a pig or sell a pig without a herd number.

The main purpose for all of this is traceability ie for control of disease.

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