Livestock movements, identification and tracing for cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, deer and horses
In the event of a disease outbreak the precise location of all livestock is essential for effective measures to control and eradicate highly contagious viruses. To try and stop the spread of disease there are strict rules controlling the identification and movements of livestock. These rules apply to you even if you only keep one animal of the species covered. These pages explain how you must identify and move livestock.
(258 KB) Further information: livestock movements
Further information: ID and tracing
Latest news
7 December 2007 - Information on the introduction of Double-Tagging for Sheep and Goats on 11 January 2008 has been published.
19 December 2007 - New Electronic Identification Date Adopted - click here for latest
17 December 2007 - News Release: Electronic identification of sheep and goats. Further information on electronic identification in sheep.
6 November 2007 - Consultation: Consultation on the double tagging of sheep and goats - European law (Council Regulation (EC) 21/2004) requires all Member States to double tag sheep and goats. However, there is provision for a derogation which allows Member States to use a single means of identification, but only if this provides equivalent traceability. The UK was granted this derogation on a temporary basis, but this expired in June 2007 when the European Commission concluded that compliance with the current regulation was insufficient to ensure equivalent traceability. The UK is therefore obliged to introduce double tagging and Defra is requesting comments on our plans to implement this in England. The closing date for this consultation is 20 November 2007.
Page last modified:
7 January, 2008