Livestock identification and movement

There are varying requirements for identifying livestock species and recording and reporting their movements.  

For information on movements, identification and tracing of cattle or on the movements, identification and tracing of pigs,  visit Defra website - Livestock identification and movements.

Movement of pigs must be reported to the local authority of the destination premises within 3 days of the movement taking place. 

If you receive stock without the appropriate paperwork, it is your responsibility to report the details of the movement to your local authority.

Farmers in England and Wales sending pigs direct to Scottish farms (as opposed to selling them through an auction mart) must notify their own local authority of such moves and supply the usual move document to the transporter.

For supplies of Pig movement forms AML2 and AML2A (continuation sheet) contact:

Animal Movement Section, Trading Standards, County Offices, Kendal LA9 4RQ

Tel: 01539 713137  Fax: 01539 713146  Email: animalmovements@cumbria.gov.uk 

For further information visit Defra website.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/food-farm/animals/movements/

Sheep & Goats

Animals born on or after 11 January 2008 must have two identifiers if it is intended they will live to 12 months of age or more, or will be exported.  

Those intended for slaughter in the UK before 12 months of age can be single tagged. 

In any event, animals must be tagged before they move off their holding of birth.  Further information can be found on the DEFRA website at:

Select this link

Movements of sheep and goats must be reported to the local authority of the destination premises within 3 days of the movement taking place.  

If you receive stock without appropriate paperwork, it is your responsibility to report the details of the movement to your local authority.  

For supplies of Sheep and Goat movement forms AML1 contact:

Animal Movement Section, Trading Standards, County Offices, Kendal LA9 4RQ

Tel: 01539 713137   Fax: 01539 713146  Email:  animalmovements@cumbria.gov.uk

For further information on movement, identification and tracing of sheep and goats:

Select this link

You must keep records of all sheep and goats you move on and off your holding in a flock or herd register.

Select this link to print off the DEFRA Flock/Herd Register

Deer

Movements of deer must be reported to the local authority of the destination premises within 3 days of the movement taking place.

If you want to move deer, please contact the animal movement section for supplies of deer movement forms (AML24) or for further advice:

Animal Movement Section, Trading Standards, County Offices, Kendal LA9 4RQ

Tel: 01539 713137   Fax:  01539 713146  Email: animalmovements@cumbria.gov.uk

For further information to visit the DEFRA livestock movements, identification and tracing page:

Select this link

Standstill Rules

Generally, the movement of a pig onto premises will trigger a 20-day standstill on any pigs, and a 6-day standstill on sheep, cattle or goats on those premises.  

The movement of cattle, sheep or goats onto premises on which one or more pigs is kept will trigger a 6-day standstill on those pigs.

There are exemptions available to the Standstill Rules.  To view the relevant section of the DEFRA website:

Select this link

Declaration Forms can be printed from the General Licence.  There are separate General Licences for Cattle, Pigs, Sheep and Goats, and Deer.  The link below will take you to the section of the DEFRA website which contains the appropriate General Licences for the livestock kept.  Alternatively they can be requested from the local authority.

Animal Movement Section, Trading Standards, County Offices, Kendal LA9 4RQ

Tel: 01539 713137   Fax:  01539 713146  Email: animalmovements@cumbria.gov.uk

For General Licences:

Select this link

Defra Approved On-Farm Isolation Units

On-Farm Isolation Units can be used at any time of the year to claim exemption from a whole farm standstill by isolating animals returning from artificial insemination centres, animals due to attend or returning from a show, or breeding goats of either gender.

On-Farm Isolation Units can be used between 1 August and 30 November each year to claim exemption from a whole farm standstill by isolating male breeding animals.

Where exemption from a standstill is claimed by use of the isolation unit a Declaration Form must be completed and sent to the Local Authority in addition to the usual movement document.

There is no requirement for a separate Declaration to be completed for use of the isolation unit for movements prior to a move to, or return from a show.

All animals placed in an isolation unit for the purposes of claiming exemption from a whole farm standstill, must be individually identified and the details of the movement recorded in the farm movement records.

For the conditions for Defra to be able to approve an On-Farm Isolation Unit, contact your local Animal Health - DEFRA office on 01772 861144.

To visit the relevant section of the DEFRA website for more information on standstill exemptions and the use of isolation units: 

Select this link

Multiple Pickups and Drop-offs

Multiple pick-ups and drop-offs -  there are restrictions on these types of movement.

For further information visit the DEFRA website, Annex A-C of the General Licence.  Multiple Pickups/Drop-offs is found in Annex B:

Select this link