Recording, transporting and movement of livestock

The following information provides advice for farmers, hauliers and transporters of horses, farm livestock, poultry, gamebirds and farmed fish for human consumption.

Livestock registration, movement, identification and record keeping

Before obtaining livestock - specifically pigs, sheep and goats - keepers must be registered.

There are strict laws relating to the keeping of livestock. You must:

• obtain a holding number from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on 03000 200 301
• register with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) as a pig/sheep/goat keeper (same number, different option as above). They will issue you with a herd or flock number.
• complete a licence for any movement of sheep and goats on or off your premises. 
• keep records of such movements in a herd or flock book.
• Cattle keepers should be registered with British Cattle Movements Service

Information relating to the rules for livestock movements and identifying your animals is available on the Gov.uk website.

Copies of all holding registers (herd/flock books) are available from Animal Health on 01302 737554

Registration of land where animals are kept

When you obtain your CPH you will be asked to provide an OS Grid Reference for the land where your animals are kept.  If you acquire more land or use someone else's land, you must register that land for your use. You can either use the owner's CPH if they have one and record/report movements or if you use the land temporarily you can obtain a temporary CPH (tCPH) from the APHA, you must record and report movements to and from this land.  The standstill rules apply. If you are the only keeper using the land, you can obtain a temporary land association (TLA).  This will last for 12 months and the land will be treated as your main holding.  The land MUST be within 10 miles of your main holding.  For further information look on the Gov.uk website Register temporary use of land or buildings to keep livestock - GOV.UK

Transporting animals

If you transport animals you should make sure you know about the rules and procedures that affect you. The latest guidance rules can be found on the Animal Health website

If you transport animals in connection with an economic activity over 65 km (approx 40 miles) you need a valid transporter authorisation. The application forms are available on the Gov.uk. Transporting animals in Great Britain - GOV.UK

To transport and handle animals in in connection with an economic activity, you also need:

• Training and competence certification training
• Competence certification

For more information, contact APHA on 0300 0200 301 - Welfare in Transport Team

None of these rules apply to to individuals who ride for pleasure who transport their own horses, or to people taking their own pets on holiday.

Movement standstill rules

Whenever cattle, sheep, goats or pigs are moved onto a farm, no cattle, sheep or goats may move off for a period of six days, no pigs may move off for 20 days. Some exemptions apply.

See the Defra website for more details.

Veterinary medical records

If you are in the business of rearing, production, or treating of farm animals which will end up as food intended for human consumption, you must keep a record of any veterinary medicinal product you purchase and treat them with.

Copies of veterinary medicine record books are available from Animal Health on 01302 737554

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