Exporting Sheep & Goats from the Isle of Man

Please note: as from 1 August 2010 all sheep for export need to be double tagged or EID tagged, details dependent on date of birth.

If you are planning to export sheep & Goats - the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture ('DEFA') Agriculture requires the following information at least* 3 working days prior to the lairage, in order to prepare the 'Export Health Certificate':

• Flock number
• Official ear Mark
• Breed
• Sex
• Age
• Name and address of exporter
• Address of lairage premises
• Name and address of destination
• Whether the sheep are going to a show / sale
• Application for Export Certificate signed by your private veterinary surgeon. The Application form is available for download.
• Whether the sheep are going 'direct to slaughter' or 'further rearing';
• If the sheep are Maedi / Visna accredited.
• Name of certifying Veterinary Officer together with date/time of lairage.

An application form for export is available for download - submission by spreadsheet and email are easier to process hence they incur lower admin costs. For postal/fax applications, please provide 4 working days’ notice for the production of the EHC, 10 days for a EU export.

* For email applications please allow 3 working days notice; for any other type of application (for example, post or fax) please allow 4 working days

Exporter requirements:

• Exporters must submit full details – amendments/additions will not be accepted from third parties;
• Exporters must notify DEFA of any animals which have not travelled. DEFA are required to provide this information to DEFRA's Animal Health office in Preston no later than 2 days following export.
• A proper handling system must be available to allow each sheep to be examined, a race which sheep can walk down in single file is acceptable. A hard standing area must be available to examine each animal for lameness.

All inspections are carried out in adequate light. In the hours of GMT inspections of more than 50 animals to start no later than 12 noon.

Please ensure your haulier has the appropriate transport authorisation to transport the animals.