National Goat Identification System (NGIS)

The EU-wide system for the identification, registration and movement of goats is set down in Council Regulation (EU) No 429/2016 and its supplementing Delegated and Implementing Regulations which came into force on 21 April 2021. This, and other animal traceability aspects of the EU legislation was transposed in national law via the European Union (Identification and Tracing) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 254 of 2023). These rules are implemented in respect of goats in Ireland under the National Goat Identification System (NGIS). The system is based on:

• double tagging of all goats by the age of nine months or on movement from the establishment, whichever comes first

• use of herd registers to record details of numbers of goats on the establishment and details of movements

• use of dispatch documents to record movements

Any person who holds or keeps goats in the State must apply for registration of the establishment to the Regional Veterinary Office of the department for the area in which the establishment is situated.

Click here for information on:

•NGIS Information Booklet – Jan 2025

•Goat Herd Register

•National Goat Identification System - Dispatch Documents

•Identification of Goats

•Approved Tag Suppliers for the National Sheep and Goat Identification Systems (NSIS and NGIS)

Further information on any aspect of the NGIS may be obtained by contacting the NGIS Helpline on (01 5058723) or by contacting your Regional Veterinary Office or by writing to the following address: