Livestock keeping is heavily regulated. You must register your land, identify and tag animals correctly, report all movements, observe standstill periods, and keep accurate records. Failure to comply risks penalties and herd or flock restrictions.
If you keep cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, or deer in England, you have legal obligations for:
Registration: Getting a CPH number from the Rural Payments Agency, then registering as a keeper with APHAIdentification: Tagging or marking animals within legal deadlinesMovement reporting: Reporting all movements on and off your holdingStandstill periods: Observing movement restrictions after animals arriveRecord keeping: Maintaining holding registers and movement records
This journey guides you through each requirement in the correct order.
How to apply to the RPA for a CPH number, register as a livestock keeper with APHA, and set up your livestock keeper account.
CPH number registration
Your CPH (County Parish Holding) number is a unique identifier for your land. You need it before you can tag animals, report movements, or claim agricultural payments.
A County Parish Holding (CPH) number is a 9-digit unique identifier required before keeping any livestock in England. It identifies the land where animals are kept.
CPH format
XX/XXX/XXXX (county code / parish code / holding number)
Who needs a CPH
Anyone keeping cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, deer, or poultry (since 1 October 2024 all bird keepers must register regardless of flock size)
Includes
Pet livestock, hobby animals, and commercial herds/flocks
Application timing
Apply maximum 6 weeks before livestock arrive
Processing time
Within 10 working days by email
Cost
Free
How to apply - online
Via Rural Payments service (if not already registered)
How to apply - phone
03000 200 301 (RPA helpline)
Species-specific tagging requirements, deadlines, EID requirements, and how to order tags for cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and deer.
Tagging deadlines
Different species have different tagging requirements and deadlines. Failure to tag correctly can result in movement bans.
Cattle - tagging deadline
20 days from birth for both tags (dairy calves - first tag within 36 hours of birth)
Cattle - passport deadline
27 days from birth
Cattle - tag requirements
Two ear tags (one in each ear) showing UK code, herd number, individual number
Sheep/goats - tagging deadline
Before 9 months of age OR before leaving holding (whichever is earlier)
Sheep/goats - tag requirements
One EID tag + one visual tag (or double EID tags)
Pigs - identification
Slap mark or ear tag with herd mark before leaving holding
Pigs - permanent ID
Ear tag or tattoo required for pigs over 12 months
Poultry - registration
All bird keepers must register with APHA, regardless of flock size (since 1 October 2024 in England and Wales)
Cattle double-tagging
Cattle must be double-tagged with approved ear tags. From 2027, Electronic Identification (EID) will be mandatory for all cattle.
Tagging requirement
Two approved ear tags (one in each ear)
Primary tag colour
Yellow
Primary tag minimum size
45mm height × 55mm width
Character height minimum
5mm
Primary tag content
GB crown symbol, letters 'UK', unique 12-digit identification number
Secondary tag materials
Metal, button, or plastic types permitted
Secondary tag content
Same unique identification number as primary tag
Tag placement
Primary in either ear, secondary in opposite ear
All cattle must have approved ear tags in both ears. The primary tag must be yellow with specific minimum dimensions. Both tags must display the same unique identification number.
Sheep EID requirements
Most sheep must have Electronic Identification (EID) tags. Tagging requirements depend on age and whether sheep are for slaughter or breeding.
EID mandatory since
31 December 2009 (all sheep born after this date)
Slaughter lambs under 12 months - tags required
1 tag (single yellow EID slaughter tag)
Slaughter tag content
UK + flock mark (EID chip contains individual number)
Breeding sheep over 12 months - tags required
2 tags (yellow EID tag + one other approved identifier)
Breeding tag combinations
Yellow EID ear tag + coloured ear tag (not yellow/red/black), OR + tattoo across both ears, OR + green pastern band, OR EID bolus + black ear tag marked 'B'
EID tag format
UK 0 XXXXXX YYYYY (UK prefix, 0 = EID indicator, 6-digit flock mark, 5-digit individual number)
Yellow tag reservation
Reserved for EID tags only
Red tag reservation
Reserved for replacement tags on non-birth holdings
Black tag reservation
Reserved for bolus indicators
How to report movements for cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and deer - including pre-notification requirements and confirmation deadlines.
Movement reporting deadlines
Movement reporting deadlines are strict. Late reporting can trigger compliance investigations and restrict future movements.
Cattle - report movements
Within 3 days
Cattle - record in register
Within 36 hours
Cattle - report deaths
Within 7 days
Sheep - report on-movements
Within 3 days
Sheep - record in register
Within 36 hours
Goats - report on-movements
Within 3 days
Goats - record in register
Within 36 hours
Pigs - confirm off-movement
Within 24 hours of departure
Pigs - record in register
Within 36 hours
Deer - record in register
Within 36 hours
Cattle movement reporting
Report cattle movements through the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) within 3 days of movement (on or off your holding).
Reporting system
Cattle Tracing System (CTS) / British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS)
Reporting deadline
Within 3 days of movement
Recording deadline (holding register)
Within 36 hours of movement
Death reporting deadline
Within 7 days
BCMS contact (England)
0345 050 1234
BCMS contact (Wales)
0345 050 3456
BCMS hours
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
Markets and slaughterhouses may report movements on your behalf, but the keeper remains legally responsible for ensuring movements are reported correctly.
Sheep and goat movements
Report sheep and goat movements through the relevant reporting service within 3 days. Movement documents must accompany animals.
Reporting system
Livestock Information Service (LIS)
Off-movement reporting deadline
Within 3 days of animals leaving
On-movement reporting deadline
Within 3 days of animals arriving
Recording deadline (holding register)
Within 36 hours of movement
LIS telephone support
03300 416 577
LIS email support
support@livestockinformation.org.uk
LIS hours
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
The sending keeper cannot report the on-movement for the receiving keeper. Each keeper must report their own movements.
Pig movements
Pigs require pre-notification before movement and confirmation within set deadlines. eAML2 documents must accompany pigs.
Reporting system
eAML2 (electronic Animal Movement Licensing)
Pre-notification requirement
Register movement before pigs move
Off-movement confirmation deadline
Within 24 hours of departure
On-movement confirmation deadline (receiving keeper)
Within 3 days of arrival
Recording deadline (holding register)
Within 36 hours of movement
eAML2 telephone
0844 335 8400
eAML2 email
eaml2@ahdb.org.uk
eAML2 text number
07786 203 116
eAML2 hours
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Understanding the 6-day standstill in England (Scotland's standard is 13 days for cattle, sheep and goats), exemptions, and how to manage movements without triggering restrictions.
Standstill periods explained
Standstill periods prevent disease spread by restricting movements after animals arrive. Different rules apply to cattle/sheep/goats versus pigs.
Cattle standstill
6 days
Sheep standstill
6 days
Goat standstill
6 days
Pig standstill
20 days
Deer standstill
None - deer are exempt from standstill rules
Standstill calculation
Day 1 is the day after animals arrive
Cross-species rule (pigs arriving)
If pigs arrive on holding with sheep/cattle, sheep and cattle cannot move for 6 days (not 20)
Cross-species rule (cattle, sheep or goats arriving)
If cattle, sheep or goats arrive, ALL cattle, sheep, goats and pigs on the holding cannot move for 6 days
Standstill periods reduce the spread of infectious diseases. Example: If sheep arrive on Monday, Day 1 is Tuesday, and other animals can move from Day 7 (the following Monday).
Standstill exemptions
Some movements don't trigger standstill or qualify for exemptions. Understanding these can help you plan movements efficiently.
Direct to slaughter
Movements direct to slaughterhouse or red (slaughter-only) markets exempt from standstill
Breeding rams and bulls (August-November)
Can move to market if isolated for 6 days in Defra-approved facility beforehand
Defra-approved isolation facilities
Animals isolated 20 days before departure bypass standstill requirements
APHA-approved pig pyramids
Breeding and growing pigs can move between approved holdings without standstill
Same holding number within 10 miles
No standstill requirements for movements within same business and CPH
Species-specific register requirements, what to record, how long to keep records, and annual inventory requirements.
Cattle holding register
Your cattle holding register must record individual animal identification, births, deaths, and movements. Keep records for 10 years.
All cattle keepers must maintain a holding register recording births, movements, deaths, and identification details. Records must be kept for 10 years.
Recording deadline - movements
Within 36 hours of animal arriving or leaving
Recording deadline - replacement tags
Within 36 hours of tag change
Recording deadline - dairy births
Within 7 days of birth
Recording deadline - other births
Within 30 days of birth
Recording deadline - deaths
Within 7 days of death
Annual inventory
No annual inventory requirement for cattle
Retention period - farms
10 years from 31 December of year of final entry
Retention period - markets and abattoirs
3 years from 31 December of year of final entry
Mandatory fields - identification
Official ear tag number (12-digit unique ID)
Mandatory fields - birth details
Date of birth, sex, official cattle breed code
Mandatory fields - parentage
Genetic dam's ear tag number (for animals born on holding)
Mandatory fields - surrogate dam
Surrogate dam's ear tag number (if applicable)
Mandatory fields - movements
Movement dates on/off holding with CPH number or keeper details
Mandatory fields - deaths
Date of death (if animal dies on holding)
Mandatory fields - tag changes
Original ear tag numbers and replacement ear tag numbers
Optional fields
Sire's ear tag number, running cattle totals
Format options - paper
Government template available
Format options - digital
Spreadsheet or farm management software permitted
Format options - online
Cattle Tracing System (CTS) Online
Sheep and goat registers
Sheep and goat registers must record batch movements, tagging, births, and deaths. Keep records for 3 years after the calendar year.
Keepers of sheep and goats must maintain a holding register recording tagging, movements, deaths, and annual inventories. Records must be kept for 3 years.
Recording deadline - tagging
Within 36 hours of applying or replacing tags
Recording deadline - movements
Within 36 hours of animal arriving or leaving
Recording deadline - market movements
Within 48 hours (for central point recording centres/markets)
Recording deadline - deaths
Within 36 hours of death
Annual inventory date
Count on 1 December; record and return totals by 31 December
Retention period
3 years after last animal dies or leaves holding
What to record - initial tagging
Date lambs/kids first tagged, tag numbers applied, number of animals
What to record - replacement tags
Date of replacement, original tag number, new tag number
What to record - movements on
Date of arrival, number of animals, identification numbers, origin CPH
What to record - movements off
Date of departure, number of animals, identification numbers, destination CPH
What to record - deaths
Date of death, identification number, number of animals
What to record - annual count
Total number of sheep and goats on holding on 1 December (recorded by 31 December)
Format options - online
Livestock Information Service (LIS) recommended
Format options - software
Farm management software permitted
Format options - spreadsheet
Spreadsheet acceptable
Format options - paper
Paper notebook or Defra template register
Record retention periods
Different records have different retention requirements. Keep movement records and registers available for inspection.
Cattle - farms
10 years from 31 December of year of final entry
Cattle - markets and abattoirs
3 years from 31 December of year of final entry
Sheep - all keepers
3 years after last animal dies or leaves holding
Goats - all keepers
3 years after last animal dies or leaves holding
Pigs - all keepers
3 years after you stop keeping pigs
Deer - all keepers
At least 3 years from date of record
Pig medicine records
Must record veterinary medicine purchases and administration
Dead pig disposal receipts
Keep for 2 years
Sheep/goat movement documents
Keep copies for 3 years from arrival date
Pig movement documents (hauliers)
Keep copies for 6 months
Annual livestock inventory
You must conduct an annual count of all livestock on your holding and keep a record. This is checked against movement records during inspections.
Cattle - annual count requirement
No annual inventory required (movement records only)
Sheep and goats - annual count date
Count on 1 December; record and return totals by 31 December
Sheep and goats - what to record
Total number of sheep and goats on holding on 1 December
Pigs - annual inventory frequency
Once yearly (date of keeper's choosing)
Pigs - what to record
Current pig population on chosen date, typical/normal holding capacity
Deer - annual count requirement
No specific annual count required (only movement records)
Consequences of non-compliance: Failure to identify, report movements, or keep records correctly can result in: movement restrictions on your holding, criminal prosecution with unlimited fines for serious offences, and difficulty selling animals at market.
Contact APHA
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) handles livestock registration, movement reporting, and compliance. Contact them for guidance on your obligations.
BCMS England
0345 050 1234 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm)
BCMS Wales
0345 050 3456 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm)
CTS Online self-service (English)
0345 011 1212 (24/7)
CTS Online self-service (Welsh)
0345 011 1213 (24/7)
LIS (sheep, goats, deer)
03300 416 577 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm)
LIS email
support@livestockinformation.org.uk
eAML2 (pigs)
0844 335 8400 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)
eAML2 email
eaml2@ahdb.org.uk
eAML2 text
07786 203 116