Licences

The Dairy Products (Hygiene) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995, require all production holdings in Northern Ireland to be licensed before milk can be offered for sale. Licencing and inspection of these holdings is the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development's Quality Assurance Branch. Specific statutory requirements for milk production buildings and equipment, including, farm dairies, milking byres/parlours and dairy cow accommodation are laid down in the Regulations. Before considering erecting new milk production buildings or making changes to existing licenced buildings or equipment, the approval of the Quality Assurance Division must be obtained. If there are any queries regarding milk licensing, contact your local Quality Assurance Officer.

To apply for a new Milk Licence or change the title of an existing Licence, print the Application for a Milk Licence (word document 131 KB), form (R066.2), and complete the relevant sections and return to the address shown.

In cases where milk production on a licenced production holding has permanently ceased, complete the Notification of Cessation of Milk Production form and return a signed copy to the address shown. The Department is required to remove such holdings from their records