Animal semen services

The distribution and storage of semen from a range of animals is regulated by European law. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issues licences and approves services in this area in order to protect animal health and improve traceability.

Bovine services

You must be appropriately licensed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to engage in the distribution of bovine semen thereby protecting animal health and welfare.

Premises where bovine semen is stored must meet specified EU standards and must be placed under the permanent supervision of a centre veterinarian approved by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Please note persons intending to apply for an approval for a bovine semen storage centre are advised to contact the Department at the outset so as to obtain full information on the approval process.

Premises where semen is collected must meet specified EU standards and must be placed under the permanent supervision of a centre veterinarian approved by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Those intending to apply for an approval for a bovine semen collection centre should contact the Department at the outset to obtain full information on the process.

Bovine ovas

Only teams approved by the Department to produce or collect bovine ovas or embryos can operate such a service.

On-farm collection of bovine semen

Herdowners can preserve the bloodline of their bovine herd by having semen collected from their own herd for use within their own herd. Applicants or their employees for on-farm collection must have a D.I.Y. artificial insemination licence to store semen and they can only store a quantity of semen (collected on-farm or otherwise) to the maximum allowed by their D.I.Y. artificial insemination licence.

Where an applicant does not have a D.I.Y. artificial insemination licence the semen collected on-farm must be stored in an approved centre and released only for use in their herd to a licensed artificial insemination company inseminator. Prior approval must be obtained from the Department.

Equine service approvals

Only teams approved by the Department to produce or collect equine ovas or embryos can operate such a service. The construction and operation of an equine semen collection and storage centre is set down in EU and National legislation. Those intending to apply for an approval for an equine semen collection and storage centre are advised to contact the Department at the outset to get full information on the process.

Canine semen

The import and export of canine semen must be licensed. Information and application forms for import and exports of canine semen may be obtained by contacting canine@agriculture.gov.ie

Germinal Network Forms

For further information and application forms for licences please contact: