If you keep pigs in England, including a single pet pig, you must identify each pig before it leaves your holding so that it can be traced if disease breaks out. You need a herd mark from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for each species you keep, and the mark must appear on every ear tag, tattoo or slap mark. A pig that already carries another holding's mark must be marked again with yours before it moves on.
Who must identify pigs and when
Identify every pig before it leaves your holding or premises. You do not have to when you take a pig to a vet for emergency treatment, or when you move a pig under 12 months old from its holding of birth directly to another farm. For that move a temporary paint mark of your choice is enough, as long as it lasts until the pig arrives.
What you must mark pigs with
What to have in place
- A herd mark from APHA for the holding.
- Ear tags, tattoo equipment or slap marking equipment showing your herd mark, from any supplier you choose.
- A unique number added after the herd mark for pigs going to a show, for breeding or out of Great Britain.
- Replacement tags for any that are lost or removed for welfare reasons.
If you do not follow the rules
If you do not follow the rules you can face movement restrictions, fines or prosecution.
Legal basis
Primary legislation and key regulations
Browse UK legislation (opens in a new tab) legislation.gov.uk