gov.ie: Cattle AIM System Explained for Irish Farmers

For Irish cattle keepers, accurate records are essential for animal health, food safety and lawful movement. The Cattle AIM system, managed through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and supported on gov.ie, brings together identification, passports, herd registers and movement records for bovines across Ireland.

Cattle AIM: How Ireland’s bovine identification system works

The Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) database records cattle births, movements and disposals. Its purpose is to establish the origin and life history of animals entering the food chain, support disease tracing and help verify compliance with agricultural scheme requirements.

The Irish bovine identification framework has four linked elements:

• Two approved, identically numbered ear-tags
• A bovine passport accompanying the animal throughout its life
• An up-to-date on-farm herd register
• The centralised AIM computer database

Tagging and calf registration

Calves must be fitted with two matching yellow ear-tags within 20 days of birth. Keepers then register each calf through the central birth registration database, either online or by returning the relevant registration form. A valid registration leads to the issue of an animal passport.

Birth registration should be submitted within seven days of tagging. The passport must travel with the animal whenever it moves, while the herd register must record births, arrivals, departures and deaths.

Animal movements, certificates and online services

Keepers must notify the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine when cattle move to or from a holding. For private farm-to-farm sales, a Certificate of Compliance is required before the animal leaves the source holding. Source and destination keepers must confirm the movement within seven days.

Through the Agfood.ie online service, registered farmers can:

• Register calf births
• Request movement and compliance certificates
• Check animals recorded in their herd
• Review movements and individual animal histories
• View recent TB and brucellosis test information

Approved suppliers listed by the department provide conventional, electronic and, where applicable, tissue tags suitable for BVD testing. Farmers should use only tags approved for bovine identification in Ireland.

Reports, agencies and support for keepers

The Cattle AIM publication also brings together monthly and quarterly reports covering calf registrations, farm-to-farm movements, mart throughput, factory slaughterings, exports and age profiles. These reports provide useful information about activity in the national cattle sector.

Farmers can also access forms and guidance for replacement passports, agent facilities, Certificates of Compliance and approved computerised herd-management packages. Registered keepers may authorise an agricultural agency or agent to access AIM by completing the relevant departmental forms.

While the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine administers the system, other public bodies may have related responsibilities across animal health, food standards, transport and rural policy. Information from gov.ie should always be checked for the latest forms, contact details and procedural requirements.

Why accurate AIM records matter

Correct identification and timely notifications protect the integrity of Ireland’s beef and dairy sectors. They also allow authorities to trace animals quickly during disease investigations and help farmers demonstrate compliance when cattle are moved, sold or presented at approved locations.

Key takeaway: Cattle AIM is more than an administrative database. It is the backbone of bovine traceability in Ireland, so keepers should tag calves on time, maintain their herd register and report every movement or disposal accurately.

Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie