Pedigree breeders and breed societies in the UK, including Northern Ireland, should register animals and organisations in the EU if they want to continue trading with Ireland or the continent after a no-deal Brexit, Defra has warned.
As previously reported, UK-based breed societies will need to be listed as an 'approved third country body' with the EU to be able to sell pedigree animals or germinal products across borders.
Defra has now given instructions for this procedure.
"If you are an officially recognised UK breed society that needs to become third country listed, contact Defra at fangr@defra.gsi.gov.uk. Defra will submit your application for listing as a non-EU (third) country breeding body to the European Commission," the department said.
Defra cannot guarantee that third country listing with the EU will happen in time for EU exit
However, "Defra cannot guarantee that third country listing with the EU will happen in time for EU exit".
"To avoid potential delays between the UK leaving the EU and your breed society becoming third country registered, you may want to consider registering your UK animals into EU herd books or flock books before exit day," it advised.
Zootechnical certificates
This is because animals which are registered in EU herd or flock books before 29 March will continue to be eligible for zootechnical certificates required for breeding in the EU.
More specifically, "animals kept on holdings in Northern Ireland which have already been registered with an Irish breed society or studbook will be unaffected".
"The Irish breed society will be able to issue a valid zootech certificate for those animals for trade into the EU," Defra said.
After 29 March, breed societies operating on an all-Ireland basis can still enter new animals born in Northern Ireland into their breeding books based in the Republic if those animals:
"Animals kept on holdings in Northern Ireland which have already been registered with an Irish breed society or studbook will be unaffected. The Irish breed society will be able to issue a valid zootech certificate for those animals for trade into the EU," Defra said.
No change from Republic into UK
According to Defra, breeders in the Republic can continue to register their stock into UK herd books in the usual way, without moving the animals to the UK.
No-deal Brexit concerns for pedigree breeders