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Becoming a livestock keeper: complete compliance guide

Comprehensive guide to livestock keeping compliance - from getting a CPH number to meeting welfare requirements. Covers cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats.

Partnership

Keeping livestock is heavily regulated. Before you get any animals - even one sheep or a pet pig - you must register your land, understand species requirements, and prepare your holding. This comprehensive guide takes you through every step.

This learning journey covers everything new livestock keepers need to know about compliance in England. Whether you're starting a commercial farm, keeping a few sheep on a smallholding, or acquiring pet pigs, the same legal requirements apply.

Estimated reading time: 45 minutes

What you'll learn:

  • How to register your land and get a CPH number
  • Which registrations you need for each species
  • Identification and tagging requirements
  • Record keeping obligations
  • Movement rules and standstill periods
  • Health and welfare requirements
  • Rules for selling and slaughter

Part 1: Before you get animals

Complete these steps BEFORE any livestock arrive on your land. You cannot legally receive animals without a registered CPH number.

Step 1: Get a County Parish Holding (CPH) number

Your CPH number is your unique holding identifier. You need it for everything: ordering tags, reporting movements, applying for payments, and dealing with APHA during disease outbreaks.

Apply at least 6 weeks before you expect animals to arrive - processing takes 10-15 working days, and you'll need time to complete species-specific registrations afterwards.

Register land to keep livestock

Apply for a CPH number from the Rural Payments Agency. You'll need your address, OS grid reference, and details of the land.

Read the guide →

Step 2: Understand your species options and their requirements

Different species have different registration requirements, tagging rules, movement reporting systems, and standstill periods. Consider these factors when deciding what to keep.

Key differences by species

Species Registration Movement system Standstill Complexity
Cattle BCMS herd mark + individual passports CTS (moving to LIS 2026) 6 days High - strictest rules
Sheep APHA flock mark LIS 6 days Medium - EID required
Goats APHA herd mark LIS 6 days Medium - EID optional
Pigs APHA herd mark eAML2 20 days Medium - longer standstill

No exemptions for small numbers: Even keeping one animal requires full compliance. Pet pigs, smallholder sheep, and hobby cattle keepers face the same rules as commercial farms.

Step 3: Set up your holding - facilities, fencing, housing

Before animals arrive, ensure your holding meets welfare requirements and you have the facilities to manage livestock safely.

Essential facilities

  • Secure fencing: Appropriate for the species - sheep need different fencing to cattle
  • Shelter: Natural or artificial protection from adverse weather
  • Water supply: Fresh, clean water accessible at all times
  • Handling facilities: Safe way to catch, restrain, and inspect animals (essential for cattle TB testing)
  • Storage: Secure storage for medicines and feed
  • Isolation area: Somewhere to separate new arrivals or sick animals

Record-keeping setup

  • Holding register (paper or digital)
  • Movement record system
  • Medicine record book (5-year retention for food animals)
  • Mortality record

Tip: Set up your record-keeping systems before animals arrive. It's much easier to start correctly than to reconstruct records later. Consider using government online systems (CTS, LIS) which can serve as both your holding register and movement reporting.

Part 2: Registration requirements

After getting your CPH number, you must complete species-specific registrations before receiving animals.

Step 4: Register as a keeper (species-specific)

Each species has its own registration requirements and reporting system. You must complete these registrations BEFORE animals arrive.

Cattle keeper registration

Cattle have the most complex registration requirements:

  1. Register with BCMS: British Cattle Movement Service allocates your herd mark
  2. Set up CTS access: Cattle Tracing System for movement reporting (moving to LIS in 2026)
  3. Order ear tags: From approved suppliers using your herd mark
  4. Understand passport requirements: Every calf needs an individual passport

Key deadline: Apply for cattle passports by day 27 of the calf's life. Late applications result in a Notice of Registration instead of a passport - the animal cannot enter the food chain.

Register as a cattle keeper

Register your holding with BCMS and set up CTS access for movement reporting.

Visit GOV.UK →

Sheep and goat keeper registration

  1. Register with APHA: Contact APHA to register your flock/herd and get your flock mark
  2. Set up LIS access: Livestock Information Service for movement reporting
  3. Order ear tags: From RPA-approved suppliers using your flock mark

Contact APHA: 03000 200 301 to register your flock mark.

Pig keeper registration

  1. Register with APHA: Your herd mark is derived from your CPH number (slashes removed)
  2. Set up eAML2 access: Electronic Animal Movement Licensing for movement reporting
  3. Order identification: Ear tags, tattoo equipment, or slapmarks with your herd mark

20-day standstill: Pigs have a longer standstill period than other species. Plan movements carefully.

Register as a pig keeper

Register your holding with APHA and understand pig-specific identification and movement requirements.

Visit GOV.UK →

Part 3: Identification and tagging

All livestock must be identified within specific timeframes. Requirements differ by species.

Identify and tag livestock correctly

Complete guide to tagging requirements, deadlines, tag specifications, and replacement rules for all species.

Read the guide →

Step 5: Tagging requirements by species

Tagging deadlines are strict and vary by species. Animals cannot leave your holding without correct identification.

Cattle: Double-tagging within 20 days

  • Beef calves: Both tags within 20 days of birth
  • Dairy calves: First tag within 36 hours, second tag within 20 days
  • Movement rule: BOTH tags must be fitted before any movement, even if the calf is only days old
  • Passport: Apply by day 27 - late applications mean the animal cannot enter the food chain

From 2027: Electronic ID (EID) becomes mandatory for all newborn cattle.

Sheep and goats: EID tagging

  • Indoor-reared: Tag within 6 months of birth
  • Outdoor-reared: Tag within 9 months of birth
  • Movement rule: Must be tagged before leaving holding, whichever comes first
  • Slaughter lambs: One yellow EID tag if going for slaughter under 12 months
  • Breeding sheep: Two identifiers required (yellow EID + second tag)
  • Goats: EID is voluntary (unless exporting) - visual tags acceptable

Pigs: Identification before movement

  • When to identify: Before leaving the holding (not at a specific age)
  • Methods: Ear tag, ear tattoo, or slapmark on both shoulders
  • Temporary marks: Pigs under 12 months moving farm-to-farm can use temporary paint marks
  • Permanent ID: Required for pigs over 12 months, breeding pigs, and show pigs

Replacing lost or damaged tags

Tags can fall out or become illegible. You must replace them within 28 days of noticing.

Part 4: Record keeping

You must keep holding registers and be ready for inspection at any time.

Keep holding registers for livestock

Species-specific register requirements, what to record, how long to keep records, and annual inventory requirements.

Read the guide →

Step 6: Holding register requirements

Every livestock keeper must maintain a holding register recording all animals on the holding, movements, births, deaths, and tag changes.

What inspectors want to see

APHA and local authority officers can visit without notice and request to see:

  • Holding register: Complete record of all animals, movements, births, deaths
  • Movement documents: Evidence of movement reporting within deadlines
  • Medicine records: 5-year retention for food-producing animals
  • Annual inventory: Count of animals as at the required date
  • Tag records: Evidence of tag orders and any replacements

Records must be available immediately - not in locked cabinets with missing keys. Many keepers use government online systems (CTS, LIS) which serve as both holding register and movement reporting.

Tip: Record movements immediately when animals arrive or leave - don't wait. The 36-hour recording deadline starts from the physical movement, not from when paperwork arrives.

Part 5: Movement rules

Every time animals move on or off your holding, you must report the movement AND observe standstill periods.

Report livestock movements and comply with standstill rules

How to report movements for cattle, sheep, goats, pigs - including pre-notification requirements and standstill periods.

Read the guide →

Step 7: Standstill periods by species

When animals arrive on your holding, a standstill period begins. During standstill, you cannot move OTHER animals of the same species off the holding.

Key point: Standstill affects the ENTIRE holding, not just the new arrivals. If you bring 5 sheep home, ALL your sheep are in standstill.

Comply with livestock movement standstill periods

Understanding standstill rules, exemptions (slaughter, isolation facilities), and how to plan movements to avoid problems.

Read the guide →

Step 8: Reporting movements to LIS/CTS/eAML2

All movements on and off your holding must be reported within 3 working days.

Transport requirements

If you transport animals yourself, you must ensure:

  • Animals are fit for transport (not ill, injured, or in late pregnancy)
  • Vehicle is suitable and safe
  • Animals have enough space to stand naturally
  • Movement documents accompany the animals

Over 65km: You need a Type 1 transporter authorisation.

Over 8 hours: You need a Type 2 transporter authorisation, vehicle approval, and navigation system.

Part 6: Health and welfare

All livestock keepers have legal duties to meet the five welfare needs and protect animal health.

Step 9: The five welfare needs

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, you must meet five welfare needs for all animals in your care:

  1. Suitable environment: Appropriate housing, shelter, temperature
  2. Suitable diet: Adequate food and fresh water
  3. Ability to exhibit normal behaviour: Space, enrichment, social contact
  4. Housed with or apart from other animals as appropriate: Social needs met
  5. Protection from pain, suffering, injury, and disease: Veterinary care, disease prevention

Failure to meet welfare needs is a criminal offence with penalties up to 5 years imprisonment and unlimited fines.

Meet cattle welfare requirements

Housing standards, space requirements, permitted procedures (disbudding, castration), transport rules, and inspection requirements.

Read the guide →

Meet sheep welfare requirements

The five welfare needs, housing and shelter, lambing management, permitted procedures, shearing, foot care, and record keeping.

Read the guide →

Meet pig welfare requirements

Space requirements, environmental enrichment, permitted procedures, housing standards, and inspection requirements.

Read the guide →

Join the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway

Funded annual vet reviews and endemic disease follow-ups for cattle, sheep, and pig keepers in England.

Read the guide →

Step 10: TB testing (cattle)

If you keep cattle, you must comply with TB testing requirements:

  • Routine testing: Frequency depends on your area's TB risk (annual to 4-yearly)
  • Pre-movement testing: Required in high-risk areas or after certain movements
  • Handling facilities: You must have suitable facilities for TB testing
  • Reactors: Positive cattle are slaughtered with compensation
  • Movement restrictions: TB-restricted holdings cannot move cattle except under licence

APHA contacts you when testing is due. Failure to present cattle for testing is a criminal offence.

Step 11: Notifiable diseases - what to watch for

Certain diseases must be reported to APHA immediately if suspected. Failure to report is a criminal offence.

Signs to watch for

  • Foot-and-mouth: Blisters in mouth, drooling, lameness, reluctance to move
  • Bluetongue: Swollen head/tongue, breathing difficulty, lameness
  • Scrapie: Behaviour changes, trembling, scratching, coordination problems
  • Classical/African swine fever: High fever, loss of appetite, skin discoloration, sudden death
  • Avian influenza: Sudden death, respiratory signs, drop in egg production

What to do: Isolate affected animals, stop all movements, call APHA immediately.

Recognise and report notifiable animal diseases

How to identify signs of notifiable diseases in livestock and report suspected cases to APHA immediately.

Read the guide →

Step 12: Establish a veterinary relationship

Build a relationship with a veterinary practice experienced in farm animals:

  • Routine advice: Vaccination, parasite control, health planning
  • Emergency care: Know who to call outside hours
  • Prescribing: Many medicines require veterinary prescription
  • TB testing: Only approved vets can conduct TB tests
  • Welfare procedures: Anaesthetic required for some procedures

Animal Health and Welfare Pathway: Funded annual vet visits available for eligible livestock keepers - around £684 per review for pig keepers.

Part 7: Selling and slaughter

When you're ready to sell animals or send them for slaughter, additional rules apply.

Step 13: Market requirements

Selling animals through markets requires:

  • Correct identification: All tags fitted and legible
  • Movement document: Complete and accurate
  • Standstill compliance: Cannot send to market during standstill
  • Fitness for transport: Animals must be healthy and able to travel
  • Cattle passports: Must accompany cattle to market

Post-market standstill: If you buy animals at market, standstill begins when they arrive home.

Step 14: Direct sales and on-farm slaughter

Selling directly to other keepers

  • Report movement to appropriate system within 3 days
  • Both parties must record the movement
  • Movement documents must accompany animals
  • Standstill rules apply to both holdings

On-farm slaughter rules

  • Home consumption: You can slaughter your own animals for personal consumption (not for sale)
  • Stunning required: Animals must be stunned before bleeding (limited religious exceptions)
  • Competence: You must know how to perform humane slaughter
  • For sale: Must use approved slaughterhouse - on-farm slaughter for sale requires specific licences

WATOK: For routine on-farm killing (not emergencies), you need a Welfare of Animals at Time of Killing licence.

Compliance checklist - before animals arrive

  • CPH number obtained
  • Species-specific registration complete
  • Ear tags ordered
  • Holding register set up
  • Movement reporting system access arranged
  • Fencing and facilities ready
  • Veterinary contact established

Getting help

APHA: 03000 200 301 - for registration, disease reporting, movement queries

Rural Payments Agency: 03000 200 301 - for CPH registration, land registration

BCMS: 0345 011 1212 - for cattle passports and CTS

Consequences of non-compliance: Failure to register, identify animals, report movements, or keep records correctly can result in: movement restrictions on your holding, cross-compliance payment reductions, criminal prosecution with unlimited fines, and difficulty selling animals at market. Welfare offences can result in up to 5 years imprisonment.

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Troubleshooting guide for Wales visitor accommodation registration and levy collection. Helps accommodation providers understand registration requirements, council levy adoption, and how to collect and remit the levy.

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Responding to a CMA investigation

What to do if the Competition and Markets Authority or Trading Standards is investigating your business. Covers immediate steps, cooperation obligations, deadlines, undertakings, and possible outcomes including fines under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

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Understanding business rates

How business rates work, what relief you can claim, and how to challenge your rateable value. Covers calculation, relief schemes, appeals, and revaluation across all UK nations.

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Insuring your new business

A step-by-step learning journey for new business owners: understand which insurance is legally required, what additional cover you need, how to compare and buy policies, and how to manage renewals.

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MHSWR 1999 quick compliance audit

Rapid compliance check covering all key MHSWR 1999 duties. Verify your risk assessment, competent person, emergency procedures, information, training, and vulnerable worker protections in 10 minutes.

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Golden thread compliance check

Quick compliance check for duty holders to verify their golden thread meets Building Safety Act requirements. Covers format, content, access controls, and phase-specific obligations for design, construction, and occupation.

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Welsh language compliance help

Help with Welsh language requirements for businesses contracting with the public sector in Wales. Covers when Standards apply, what you need to do, how to build capability, and what happens if you fail to comply.

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Prepare for an HSE visit

What to expect from an HSE inspection. Covers types of visit, inspector powers, what they check, improvement and prohibition notices, Fee for Intervention, how to challenge, and what to do during the visit.

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PSTI IoT compliance check

Quick compliance check for IoT manufacturers, importers, and distributors. Confirm product scope, verify three mandatory security requirements, identify your supply chain role, and confirm your statement of compliance obligations.

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RQIA registration quick check

Quick checklist for Northern Ireland care providers to check whether their service needs RQIA registration, fit person requirements, care standards, and what inspections involve.

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Registering a care service in Scotland

End-to-end learning path for starting a regulated care service in Scotland. Covers the Care Inspectorate, service types, registration, Health and Social Care Standards, SSSC workforce registration, PVG checks, and inspection preparation.

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Operating care services across UK national borders

A learning path for care service providers operating or planning to operate across more than one UK nation. Covers the separate inspectorate regimes, registration requirements, quality frameworks, workforce portability, disclosure scheme differences, and practical steps for achieving cross-border compliance.

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Wales care compliance quick check

Quick checklist for Wales care providers to verify CIW registration, Responsible Individual appointment, Social Care Wales workforce registration, Statement of Purpose, and Welsh language provision.

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Ongoing compliance for law firms

Learning path for maintaining regulatory compliance at an authorised law firm: annual renewal cycle, COLP and COFA reporting, client account management, AML supervision, complaints handling, continuing competence, diversity reporting, and preparing for SRA inspections.

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Start a law firm in England and Wales

End-to-end learning path for setting up a law firm: choosing entity type, SRA authorisation, appointing COLP and COFA, professional indemnity insurance, client account setup, AML registration, complaints procedure, and price transparency.

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Respond to an SRA investigation

Problem path for law firms facing SRA investigation: immediate steps, cooperation obligations, instructing specialist regulatory defence, responding to proposed conditions or fines, SDT referral, intervention risk, and appeal rights.

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AML compliance for legal services

Learning path for law firms implementing anti-money laundering compliance: firm-wide risk assessment, client due diligence, source of funds verification, legal professional privilege boundaries, suspicious activity reporting, and preparing for SRA supervisory visits.

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Responding to an OSCR charity investigation

What to do if your Scottish charity faces an OSCR inquiry or enforcement action. Covers understanding the type of investigation, cooperation obligations, getting professional advice, corrective action, and OSCR's enforcement powers including removal of trustees and directed winding up.

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Setting up a charity in Scotland

End-to-end learning path for setting up a charity in Scotland: understanding OSCR regulation, the charity test, registration, trustee duties, annual reporting and accounts, and ongoing compliance obligations.

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Farming on SSSI land in Scotland

A learning path for Scottish farmers and land managers with SSSI-designated land - understand your conservation obligations, manage deer and muirburn lawfully, and maintain compliance with NatureScot requirements

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Scottish heritage compliance quick check

Rapid compliance check for works affecting scheduled monuments, listed buildings, and conservation areas in Scotland. Covers Historic Environment Scotland consents, local authority requirements, and enforcement penalties.

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Construction near a heritage site in Scotland

Learning path for construction businesses working near protected heritage assets in Scotland. Covers scheduled monuments, listed buildings, conservation areas, archaeological assessments, and how heritage and nature designations interact under Scottish planning law.

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Respond to SIA enforcement action

What to do if your security business faces SIA enforcement action including licence revocation, compliance inspection failure, or prosecution for deploying unlicensed staff. Covers identifying the enforcement type, understanding your rights, appealing to the First-tier Tribunal, and preventing recurrence.

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Start a private security business

End-to-end learning path for starting a private security company. Covers SIA regulation, personal and business licensing, approved contractor status, insurance, recruiting licensed staff, training programme setup, and compliance systems for winning contracts.

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Address an FCA threshold-conditions concern

What to do when FCA supervision has raised a concern that your firm no longer satisfies the threshold conditions. Covers diagnosing the supervisory action, responding to a section 165 information requirement, addressing the failing limb (resources, business model, suitability, effective supervision), and the worst-case path to an Own-Initiative Variation or cancellation of permission under section 55J FSMA.

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Water Framework Directive compliance for businesses

Complete compliance pathway for businesses whose activities may affect water body status — from understanding the WFD framework through identifying which licences, permits, or consents you need, to applying, monitoring, and reporting. Covers England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

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Get FCA authorised: from perimeter check to Connect submission

A six-phase learning path for first-time applicants. Walks you from establishing whether you need authorisation, through choosing your route, building governance foundations, self-assessing the FCA's five threshold conditions, submitting through Connect, and handling case-officer scrutiny during the determination period.

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