Keep holding registers for livestock

Anyone who keeps cattle, sheep, goats, pigs or deer in England must keep a holding register for each holding. The register records the animals' identification, their movements on and off the holding, and, for some species, births, deaths and an annual count. Most entries must be made within 36 hours of the event, and an inspector from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) or your local authority can ask to see the register.

The register can be on paper, in a spreadsheet, in farm software or in the government online system for your species, as long as it holds all the required information. Keeping a movement on an online system does not replace the register unless that system is your register. If you move animals to another holding but remain their keeper, you do not need a separate register there, but you must be able to produce it.

Cattle

This covers bison and buffalo as well as cattle. Keep a separate register for each holding.

Sheep and goats

You are the keeper if you have day-to-day care and control of the animals, whether or not you own them, and whether they are pets or only with you temporarily, for example at a market or showground. The same register rules apply to both species.

Pigs

Deer

These rules apply to deer kept on land enclosed by deer-proof fencing, but not to wild deer. Deer keepers record movements only, with no births, deaths or annual count.

Annual counts

Movement deadlines and reporting