Legal Stuff
GOAT HELP/INFORMATION from the BGS
Please note when buying or selling dairy goats online they can only be described as "pedigree" or a particular "breed" if they are registered with the British Goat Society (BGS), or a recognized Breed society.
Any female dairy type goat of any age can be registered and her progeny can be graded up by using a pedigree registered sire.
If you are interested in joining the BGS or would like further information please check out the BGS website.
May we also remind those new to the Goatkeeping world some legal requirements. Without these licences, you may be breaking the law, and may not legally be able to buy, sell or move Goats.
Overview of NEW DEFRA Rules April 2014
Anyone who keeps goats regardless of the number, must register with the local DEFRA Animal Health Registration Agency (AHVLA).. They will issue the keeper with a County, Parish, Holding (CPH) Number for the site on which the goats are resident. After registration, the owner is issued with a Herd Registration Document (HRD) that allocates a unique herd mark to the owner. Although the registration paragraphs below look intimidating, it is actually straightforward and simple to comply with the legislation.
Thus:
Whether you keep one animal as a pet or a commercial herd you need to be registered with Defra. If you already keep goats and have not registered you must do so immediately.
1. Before moving livestock onto or off your land you need a County Parish Holding (CPH) number for the land where the livestock will be kept. To apply for a CPH number you need to contact the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on 0845 6037777. Once you have your CPH number you can move the livestock to your holding under a General Licence.
2. The next step is to register your livestock with Defra. You need to contact the Animal Health Registration Agency (AHVLA). 08459 335577. You will be asked for your CPH number as a reference and will be able to register your livestock over the phone. If your correspondence address is different from the herd location, inform the AHDO and confirm they have the correct details.
When your livestock are registered, a herd mark will automatically be created. The Defra herd mark provides a quick and effective means of identifying premises from which livestock have moved. It is unique, kept on a single database and available to inspectors for rapid tracing. The AHDO will send you a registration document which will contain your personal details, CPH number and herd mark.
If any of your details change, you must tell your AHDO within one month of the change
3. All animals must have an identifying ear tag, and are allocated according to the Ear Tag Allocation System (ETAS). The tags indicate the country, the herd mark and a number that is unique to the individual animal. New legislation on double ear tagging of goats took effect on 11 January 2008. Any animal born on or after that date or not yet officially identified by that date, should be tagged according to these new rules.
4. The owner must fill in a Movement Document (AML1) whenever an animal is moved from one site to another, and send it to the ARAMS (www.arams.co.uk) within three days or fill in online.. A pad of required movement forms for future use is available from them.
5. A Holding Register/movement book must be kept, that identifies the holding, the herd number, the individual ear tag information of the animals, and any movements to or from the holding. It must be accurate and up to date, and Defra may ask to see it from time to time.
6. Goats are classified as pets, therefore goat keepers may be exempt from the new transport legislation, and the transport examination, for short journeys.
We hope this is helpful and our thanks to Jane R..and Christine B........ top
GOAT HELP/INFORMATION from the BGS
Please note when buying or selling dairy goats online they can only be described as "pedigree" or a particular "breed" if they are registered with the British Goat Society (BGS), or a recognized Breed society.
Any female dairy type goat of any age can be registered and her progeny can be graded up by using a pedigree registered sire.
If you are interested in joining the BGS or would like further information please check out the BGS website.
May we also remind those new to the Goatkeeping world some legal requirements. Without these licences, you may be breaking the law, and may not legally be able to buy, sell or move Goats.
Overview of NEW DEFRA Rules April 2014
Anyone who keeps goats regardless of the number, must register with the local DEFRA Animal Health Registration Agency (AHVLA).. They will issue the keeper with a County, Parish, Holding (CPH) Number for the site on which the goats are resident. After registration, the owner is issued with a Herd Registration Document (HRD) that allocates a unique herd mark to the owner. Although the registration paragraphs below look intimidating, it is actually straightforward and simple to comply with the legislation.
Thus:
Whether you keep one animal as a pet or a commercial herd you need to be registered with Defra. If you already keep goats and have not registered you must do so immediately.
1. Before moving livestock onto or off your land you need a County Parish Holding (CPH) number for the land where the livestock will be kept. To apply for a CPH number you need to contact the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on 0845 6037777. Once you have your CPH number you can move the livestock to your holding under a General Licence.
2. The next step is to register your livestock with Defra. You need to contact the Animal Health Registration Agency (AHVLA). 08459 335577. You will be asked for your CPH number as a reference and will be able to register your livestock over the phone. If your correspondence address is different from the herd location, inform the AHDO and confirm they have the correct details.
When your livestock are registered, a herd mark will automatically be created. The Defra herd mark provides a quick and effective means of identifying premises from which livestock have moved. It is unique, kept on a single database and available to inspectors for rapid tracing. The AHDO will send you a registration document which will contain your personal details, CPH number and herd mark.
If any of your details change, you must tell your AHDO within one month of the change
3. All animals must have an identifying ear tag, and are allocated according to the Ear Tag Allocation System (ETAS). The tags indicate the country, the herd mark and a number that is unique to the individual animal. New legislation on double ear tagging of goats took effect on 11 January 2008. Any animal born on or after that date or not yet officially identified by that date, should be tagged according to these new rules.
4. The owner must fill in a Movement Document (AML1) whenever an animal is moved from one site to another, and send it to the ARAMS (www.arams.co.uk) within three days or fill in online.. A pad of required movement forms for future use is available from them.
5. A Holding Register/movement book must be kept, that identifies the holding, the herd number, the individual ear tag information of the animals, and any movements to or from the holding. It must be accurate and up to date, and Defra may ask to see it from time to time.
6. Goats are classified as pets, therefore goat keepers may be exempt from the new transport legislation, and the transport examination, for short journeys.
We hope this is helpful and our thanks to Jane R..and Christine B........ top