There are varying requirements for identifying livestock species, and recording and reporting their movements as follows:-
Movement Rules
- 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 a few exemptions to the standstill rules. Details of these exemptions can be found on the DEFRA website.
- General licences
Movements of sheep, goats, deer, cattle and pigs can normally take place under a General Licence that sets out the rules that must be followed. There are 4 separate General Licences for Cattle, Pigs, Sheep and Goats, and Deer. Please contact us for copies of the most recent general licence for your stock.
- 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 31 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 office on 02920 768500.
- Multiple Pickups and Drop offs
Multiple pick-ups and drop-offs are now allowed to take place on the perimeter of the farm premises without prior approval from DEFRA subject to conditions set out in the general licence. Copies of the latest general licence can be obtained from the Animal Health Team or alternatively can be viewed on the Welsh Government website.