Publication - Advice and guidance

Livestock identification and traceability: guidance

Published: 10 May 2019

How we identify animals and how they are tracked when they are moved.

Livestock identification and traceability: guidance

If you intend to keep livestock animals there are a number of steps that must be done before you can do so.

This information should assist you depending on the species of livestock you intend to keep.

In practical terms the following are key legal requirements.

You must:

  • register as a keeper on every holding that you use
  • identify each of your animals
  • notify movements of animals on and off your holding to the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) and they will record the details on the Cattle Tracing System (CTS)
  • keep your records up-to-date