DAERA has made the Bovine Genetics Genotyping Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (SR 2026/14), made on 4 February 2026 and commencing on 1 September 2026, with Department of Finance approval recorded on 3 February 2026. The instrument establishes a time‑limited subsidy for cattle genotyping and sets out data, compliance and enforcement rules.
Eligibility sits with the farm business. An eligible farm business must apply to join and, when requested, provide further information on any animal. Payments relate to eligible bovines-taurine breeds listed in the Schedule-registered on the Northern Ireland Food Animal Information System (NIFAIS).
Payment is fixed at £13 per eligible genotype and is made to the farm business that submits the sample to an approved laboratory. DAERA will pay as soon as reasonably practicable after confirmation by its appointed service provider, and that confirmation defines an eligible genotype and is a condition of payment.
Timing is strict. The scheme opens on 1 September 2026; no payment will be made for subsequent genotyping events for animals not in the applicant’s herd on 31 December 2027; and DAERA will accept and pay for eligible genotypes received up to and including 15 May 2028. Events where an eligible cow gives birth to dead calves are in scope from commencement.
Only tissue sample tags from DAERA‑approved suppliers may be used. For existing eligible bovines, the keeper must take a tissue sample and dispatch it to an approved laboratory within seven days of sampling. For new births, sampling must be carried out as soon as reasonably practicable and no later than 20 days after birth.
Where a bovine foetus is aborted, or a calf is stillborn or dies before tagging, the keeper must act promptly: take a tissue sample as soon as reasonably practicable, notify DAERA of the abortion, stillbirth or birth, and dispatch the sample to an approved laboratory within seven days of sampling.
If a laboratory reports that a submitted sample is not adequate for analysis, the service provider may require a replacement. On receiving such a notice, the keeper must retake and dispatch a further tissue sample within seven days, with this resampling power available up to and including 15 May 2028.
Tampering is expressly prohibited. No person may interfere with a tissue sample or do anything likely to affect the outcome of testing in an approved laboratory. Breach can trigger payment withholding or recovery alongside any other applicable sanctions.
Decision‑making rests on official records. Information recorded on NIFAIS and by the service provider will be treated as conclusive unless rebutted or corrected to DAERA’s satisfaction. Businesses should ensure births, deaths and identifiers are accurate and up to date on NIFAIS to avoid delays or refusals.
DAERA may revoke approval, withhold payment, or recover sums already paid where an applicant is ineligible, obstructs an authorised person, or tampers with samples. Before acting, the Department must issue a written notice explaining the reasons and allow 14 days for written representations; recovery may proceed as a civil debt or by set‑off against sums otherwise payable.
Authorised persons may inspect at all reasonable hours, excluding buildings used solely as dwellings. Powers include enquiries and tests; taking samples; inspecting livestock and land; marking animals; accessing, copying or removing records (including electronic records); operating computers with reasonable assistance; removing carcases for post‑mortem; taking photographs; and removing items reasonably believed to evidence non‑compliance.
The Regulations also provide that, from 1 January 2028, farm sustainability rules under Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 will apply in relation to requirements about bovine genetics. This does not alter the payment windows and deadlines set out for the scheme period.
Policy Wire analysis: for farm managers the priority is operational readiness. Apply early, order approved tissue tags, verify that all eligible animals are correctly recorded on NIFAIS, and set up a routine so samples leave the farm within seven days of collection. Keep a single log of submissions, service‑provider confirmations and any resample requests, and calendar the 31 December 2027 herd cut‑off and 15 May 2028 final date to protect payments.