Consultation on holding identifiers and associated livestock movements

The Welsh Government is inviting views on proposals to change the rules associated with holding identifiers .

In November 2013, the former Minister for Natural Resources and Food took the decision to remove Sole Occupancy Authorities (SOAs) and Cattle Tracing System (CTS) links, whilst introducing a distance rule. This consultation document explains ways in which the Welsh Government proposes to implement the changes.

The main issues in this consultation include:

1. A proposal to make a distinction (for all species) between land/buildings up to and including a 10 mile radius, as the crow flies, of the primary production location (PPL).

2. The Welsh Government proposes to introduce a CPH merge facility which will be available to keepers who currently operate two permanent CPHs within 10 miles.  However, the introduction of a single CPH for land within the 10 miles would not be mandatory.

3. Merged parcels within 10 miles of the PPL would be considered as one holding and have one CPH identifier. Movement of livestock within the holding would not have to be reported to a central species database, or recorded in the farm register.   Movement of cattle within the holding would not require a pre-movement TB test.  However, when livestock move onto a location within the holding, the standstill would apply to the whole of the holding.

4. The Welsh Government proposes that when short term/temporary land (e.g. summer grazing or winter tack) is occupied within 10 miles of the keeper’s holding, and the keeper fulfils relevant sole occupancy criteria, it would be possible for the keeper to associate these land parcels with the keeper’s permanent CPH.  Analysis based on subsidy data for 10 counties in England and Wales shows that 93% of farms have a spread of less than 10 miles.

5. The Welsh Government proposes that the extent of a CPH would be split in cases where the fragmented locations do not comply with the 10 mile rule. In such cases, an additional CPH number would be required to cover the land which falls outside of the 10 mile boundary. This means that all moves between holdings identified with a different CPH number, including temporary CPH’s, would have to be recorded in the farm register, and reported to the central species database. The standstill period, pre-movement testing regulations for cattle and individual recording and reporting of the full EID ear tag numbers of all sheep being moved within ownership would have to be adhered to.

6. The Welsh Government proposes that keepers who chose not to, or are unable to (due to distance), associate short term rented land with their permanent CPH, can apply for a temporary CPH.

7. The Welsh Government proposes that when the PPL is contiguous with the common land, keepers can merge the common as part of their holding.

The consultation has 4 broad questions. To view the consultation document please click here CPH -Livestock movements consultation document

To view the FUW response please click here FUW response on the WG -CPH Consultation on holding identifiers and associated livestock movements 17th January 2016