This Order implements Council Directive 2008/71/EC on the identification and registration of pigs (O.J. No. L 213 8.08.2008, p.31).

Part 1 of the Order deals with authorisations and notification of holdings. Any person who keeps pigs on a holding is required to notify certain particulars to the Department. On receiving a notification the Department may allocate a holding code (article 4(3)).

Part 2 of the Order makes provision for every keeper to keep an up-to-date holding register and requires each keeper to inform the Department of the number of pigs on the holding (articles 5 and 6).

Part 3 of the Order sets out some general provisions in relation to the application of identification devices (article 7).

Article 8 makes provision for the application of identification marks to pigs.

Article 9 prohibits the removal or defacement of identification marks applied under article (7).

Article 10 sets out provisions for the removal or replacement of identification marks on pigs where they have become lost or illegible.

Articles 11 to 13 impose additional requirements for the identification of pigs destined for export, movement to shows or being imported from a country outside the European Union.

Part 4 makes provision for a movement document to accompany a pig between holdings (article 14).

Part 5 of the Order makes provision for record keeping requirements for pigs at markets (article 15), slaughterhouses (article 16) and shows (article 17).

Part 6 of the Order contains miscellaneous provisions including article 18 which provides for walking licences for pet pigs. Article 19 specifies the conditions whereby the Department may restrict the movement of a pig off a holding or restrict the movement of pigs onto or off a holding. Article 20 contains transitional and saving provisions. Article 21 revokes the Animals (Records) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997 and amends the Sales, Markets and Lairs Order (Northern Ireland) 1975.