Livestock movements, identification and tracing: cattle
If you keep cattle you need to follow certain rules regarding the identification and movement of your animal(s).Livestock movements
Prior to any movement the owner/keeper shall inspect the cattle to be moved for signs of foot and mouth disease. If any evidence of such disease is found it must be notified without delay to the Divisional Veterinary Manager (DVM) of the local Defra Animal Health Divisional Office. If any evidence of disease is found, the licence shall be invalidated, and no animals kept on the premises of departure may be moved.
Cattle movements must be accompanied by their passport. All cattle movements must be notified to the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS), electronically or by post, within 3 days of the movement taking place.
- General licence for the movement of cattle
(55 KB) - Annex A - C (70 KB)
Identification and tracing
- General information on identification and traceability
- Tagging
- Farm records
- Cattle Passports
- Reporting of movement, slaughter and death
- Cattle identification inspections
- The law
- Enforcement
- Cattle Tracing System
- Information for EU Member States
- Cattle and Zoos
See also
- Veterinary surveillance: Cattle
- Animal welfare: The welfare of cattle and calves.
Page last modified:
20 May, 2008