Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is introducing an online application system for the export of animals and products of animal origin (POAO).
Its new Export Health Certification Online (DECOL) goes live today through its website, and enables exporters of animals such as cattle, pigs and horses and POAO such as meat and dairy to apply online for export health certificates (EHCs).
DAERA said it does not replace the existing online systems, such as TRACES and e-AVI, for certain live animals and POAO exports to the EU and Great Britain. But it should make it easier for exporters or their agents to make an application for an EHC by replacing the current paper based system with an online process.
The DAERA website will also be updated to provide detailed guidance and support for exporters to assist them in making their applications.
Currently, exports of POAO such as meat, dairy, eggs and fish, to the EU do not require exporters to apply for a certificate using DECOL, but DAERA said it will provide updates if this position changes.
Image by Sam Wise, CC BY-SA 2.0