The Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009

PART VIII Markets

Markets

23.  The owner or person in charge of a market shall—

(a) ensure that an animal is not accepted into a market for sale or sold at the market unless it is identified in accordance with this Order;

(b) ensure that an animal is not accepted or exposed for sale or displayed at any market unless—

(i) it is accompanied by a valid copy of a movement document in accordance with Article 21; or

(ii) the movement information is already contained in the centralised computer database in accordance with Article 22;

(c) ensure that all animals are divided into groups of one or more animals immediately upon his arrival at the market and—

(i) a lot number is allocated to each group; and

(ii) the lot number is recorded in the holding register at the market; and

(iii) the lot number is recorded on the movement document which accompanied the animals into the market; or

(iv) where the movement document is not required in accordance with Article 22 the owner or person in charge of a market shall enter the lot number in the centralised computer database;

(d) in respect of any animal leaving the market—

(i) prior to the animal leaving supply the keeper with a copy of the movement document including full details of the holding to which the animal is being consigned and the lot number; and

(ii) unless the movement information is already entered in the centralised computer database in accordance with Article 25 send a copy of the movement document to the Divisional Veterinary Office in accordance with Article 21(1)(b)(ii).

Slaughterhouse operators

24.  The owner or person in charge of a slaughterhouse shall—

(a) take reasonable steps to satisfy himself of the place of origin and movement history of any animal presented for slaughter;

(b) ensure that an animal is not accepted for slaughter or slaughtered unless it is identified in accordance with this Order except with the permission of the Department;

(c) ensure that an animal is not accepted for slaughter unless it is accompanied by a valid copy of a movement document in accordance with Article 20 unless—

(i) the movement information is already contained in the centralised computer database in accordance with Article 22; or

(ii) the movement is of an animal falling within sub-paragraph (e).

(d) endorse the movement document relating to the animal including the name and address of the owner or person in charge of the slaughterhouse and such further information as the Department may specify; and

(e) in the case of an animal not originating from a holding in Northern Ireland but moving directly to the slaughterhouse from the point of import, ensure—

(i) that it is accompanied by the original veterinary health certificate from the country or region of origin or a copy of the same endorsed by an inspector;

(ii) that the certificate described at head (i) is surrendered to an inspector at the slaughterhouse at the earliest opportunity after arrival of the animal; and

(iii) that the veterinary health certificate described at head (i) is endorsed in a manner specified by the Department upon acceptance of an animal for slaughter, ensuring that every detail specified by the Department in respect of an imported animal has been recorded on the document; and

(iv) retain a copy of the veterinary health certificate for a period of 3 years following the end of the month in which the document was received.

Central point of recording

25.  An operator approved as a Central Point of Recording by the Department under Section C, point 2 of the Annex to the Council Regulation, shall enter information relating to the movement of an animal to and from the holding on the centralised computer database on the day of movement to which it relates, or where this is not reasonably practicable, on the next following working day.

Contingency planning for power and equipment failures

26.—(1) The Department may exempt a market, slaughterhouse or collection centre operator from the requirement to record the unique number of each animal on a movement document or on a holding register where a contingency plan has been agreed between the Department and the operator in question which in the opinion of the Department is adequate to ensure reasonable steps are taken to make a record of the identity of the animals.

(2) The Department may withdraw any such exemption if it is no longer satisfied with the operation or terms of the contingency plan.

(3) A contingency plan agreed under paragraph (1) must set out the conditions which must be met by the market or slaughterhouse operator and the circumstances in which, provided those conditions are met, the exemptions in paragraph (1) will apply.

(4) A market or slaughterhouse operator must apply for an exemption under paragraph (1) as soon as possible on every occasion when they wish to apply the exemptions and must cease to accept animals without recording the information referred to in paragraph (1) if the exemption is refused.