Veterinary Service
The Veterinary Service is responsible for providing advice on the formulation of Government policy in respect of animal health and welfare and veterinary public health, as well as implementing the Department's and the Food Standard Agency's policies in these areas.
How to contact the Veterinary Service
The Veterinary Service is split into several business areas which deal with differing aspects of our work.
For general day-to-day queries (for example queries related to movements, registration or testing) related to the work of Veterinary Service you should contact your local Divisional Veterinary Office.
If a query relates to the import or export of goods via an Airport or Port in Northern Ireland you should contact the relevant Portal Office.
What does the Veterinary Service do?
The Veterinary Service aims to
- prevent the entry of and, where necessary, eradicate epizootic disease;
- control and eradicate enzootic disease;
- provide a meat hygiene service, which complies with national and international standards;
- promote and enforce acceptable animal welfare standards;
- facilitate export trade through the provision of veterinary assurances;
- contribute to the control of zoonotic disease;
- promote and encourage preventative medicine;
- ensure the use of veterinary medicines is safe and efficacious.