Importing pig semen
Importing semen for artificial insemination (AI) is an alternative to importing live pigs.
If you plan to import pig semen you will need:
- a license from the Department of the Environment
- an export health certificate
- to ensure that the semen comes from an approved collection centre
The licence
The licence carries terms and conditions which must be strictly adhered to in order to protect the existing livestock population from diseases which semen could import. These conditions include:
- the department must be given 24 hours notification of the arrival of the semen
- the semen must be accompanied, upon importation, by a completed DEFRA health certificate, signed by an official veterinarian
- a copy of the export health certificate should be forwarded to the Department of the Environment within 48 hours of importation
- semen imported in the consignment must only be utilised for animals possessed by the importer to whom the licence is issued
- unused semen from this consignment must be destroyed or disposed of by a method approved by the States Veterinary Officer
Licence to import pig semen application form
24 hour notification form to import germplasm
Export health certificate
The approved collection centre will contact the local animal health office in the UK to obtain the export health certificate and issue relevant guidance.
Approved collection centre
Importers will need to find an approved collection centre.
Pig semen approved collection centres (Defra website)
Artificial insemination (AI)
To carry out artificial insemination of pigs a person must be a registered veterinary surgeon in the Island or be a person approved in writing by the States Veterinary Officer. The applicant will have to provide supporting evidence to show that they have successfully completed a course of training in artificial insemination under the direction of a veterinary surgeon.
Artificial inseminator approval application form