Report livestock movements

A movement is any time animals go on to or off your holding, including to a market, show, slaughterhouse or another farm, and when you buy or sell. Each species has its own reporting system. You are the keeper, so you are responsible for the report even if a market, haulier or buyer reports for you. Check with them whether they are doing it.

Cattle

Cattle, bison and buffalo movements go to the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS). Update the passport when animals arrive, and before they leave, as well as your holding register.

Sheep and goats

Sheep and goats are reported to the Livestock Information Service (LIS). For an off movement, report it online through your LIS account or linked farm software, or complete a paper LIS-1 movement document. For an on movement, the receiving keeper reports within 3 days of the animals arriving, online or by posting or emailing the completed LIS-1 to LIS. The sending keeper cannot report your on movement for you. Keep the movement documents for 3 years from the date the animals arrive, unless both the on and off movements were reported online.

Pigs

All pig movements go through electronic animal movement licensing (eAML2), and you must set up the movement before the pigs leave.

Deer

Report all deer movements to LIS, online or on the paper LIS-2 movement document, which must travel with the deer. Include your CPH number, the number of animals, whether each is a stag, doe or fawn, the identification numbers including your herd mark, the transporter's name and the date and time. The receiving keeper reports within 3 days of arrival. You must also follow the conditions of the deer movement general licence.

Movements you do not need to report

You do not have to report cattle, sheep or goat movements within 10 miles of the main area where you keep them if the land or buildings are registered to your CPH number and the animals will not mix with someone else's livestock. Sheep and goat movements to or from a vet for emergency treatment, or to common grazing registered as linked to your holding, are also exempt, and you do not need to pre-notify a pig move to a vet for emergency treatment.

Record each movement in your holding register

Reporting to the government system is separate from your own records. Enter every movement on or off your holding in your holding register within 36 hours, or within 48 hours for sheep and goats going through a central point recording centre such as most markets.

If you miss a deadline

Failing to record and report movements can mean movement restrictions on your herd or flock, reduced subsidy payments, a fine or prosecution. Report a late movement as soon as you notice, and correct any wrong report, because the records are what let animals be traced in a disease outbreak.