Guidelines for Approval of Poultry Hatcheries

Poultry establishments (farms and hatcheries) that intend to export poultry or hatching eggs to Great Britain or the EU must be registered with the department of Agriculture and approved under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards rules for establishments keeping terrestrial animals and hatcheries, and the traceability of certain kept terrestrial animals and hatching eggs. This Regulation has repealed and replaced Council Directive 2009/158/EC on animal health conditions governing intra-Union trade in, and imports from third countries of, poultry and hatching eggs. Please consult the full legislation text for detailed requirements.

All poultry hatcheries and supply farms involved in trade in live poultry and hatching eggs require approval from the Department and each consignment for export must be inspected and accompanied by the relevant health certificate. This includes poultry hatcheries engaged in the production of day old chicks, turkey poults or ducklings for the production of table birds or the replacement of laying flocks.

Poultry hatcheries seeking approval should contact their local Regional Veterinary Office for further guidance.

A list of Local Regional Veterinary Offices can be found here.