European Communities (Registration of Holdings and Identification of Animals) Regulations, 1996.

These Regulations implement Council Directive 92/102/EEC on the identification and registration of animals as far as animals of the caprine, ovine and porcine species are concerned. The Regulations establish a system of registration of holdings on which such animals are held, kept or handled and require the animals to be identified when they are moved to or from such holdings and to be accompanied by a document during such movement. Any person who holds, keeps or handles an animal on any holding in the State shall apply to the Minister, in such form as may be specified by him, for registration of the holding as a registered holding. No person shall have in his possession or under his control on any holding in the State any animal unless the holding has been registered by the Minister as a registered holding. The Regulations provide also for the allocation of animal identification numbers for animals of registered holdings.