Notification of Events

Information related to the notification of cattle births, deaths and movements to the Department including time limits for each notification.

Ensure that Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) receives notification of all births within 27 days of the birth of the calf.

Cattle, which die on the farm, must be notified to DARD within 7 days of death.

Ensure that DARD receives notification of all movements not later than 7 days after the movement of the animal.

Please note that newborn calves should not be considered fit for their intended journey if the navel has not completely healed.

Complete a MC2 form (Notification of Cattle Movement). MC2 books and confirmation stickers are available from your local DVO. A copy must accompany the animal. After checking the animal's description and identity a confirmation sticker must also be used by the buyer. Both the buyer and the seller must send a copy to DARD and retain a copy for their own records.

Go online using the Rural Portal and obtain a movement document to a market or a meat plant for unrestricted herds only.

For animals moving from a market, two licences (MC2L) will be issued, one of which should accompany the animal. You the buyer should check the description and identity of the animal and apply a confirmation sticker to both copies of MC2L. One MC2L is sent to your DVO office and one is retained for your own records.

In the case of animals/herds under restriction the general rule is that animals may only be permitted to move under licence from DARD.* Some moves to slaughter may not require a licence. You should contact your local DVO for specific advice. A licence (MC2L) must be applied for and obtained before restricted animals leave the farm. Application forms (MC2LA) are available from your local DVO. Failure to obtain a movement licence in advance of moving a restricted animal is an offence.

*(This restriction may be due to disease reasons, for example Tuberculosis or Brucellosis, or failure to identify and register the animal(s) with DARD within the statutory period).

Failure to notify births, deaths and movements on time may result in a status being applied to the animal on the database, which may restrict the movement of the animal, contribute towards the calculation of a herd restriction and may affect its eligibility for slaughter and payment of subsidy. It may also affect live export to Great Britain.