Movements
The CTS database records all movements of cattle registered or imported into Great Britain from 28 September 1998 and the movement of older cattle since 29 January 2001. Keepers of cattle are legally obliged to notify the BCMS about all movements of cattle. The Cattle Keeper's handbook provides advice on notification of cattle movements.
What is a cattle ‘movement’?
A cattle movement takes place when cattle move on or off a holding or between herds. Examples of a movement include:
- when an animal moves from one farm to another, as in a private sale;
- a movement from farm to market, market to farm, farm to slaughterhouse, farm to dealer.
Types of cattle movements
The following movements of cattle must be reported to the BCMS (the list is not exhaustive):
- on and off farms;
- to and from markets;
- to slaughterhouses.
If a keeper has previously contacted BCMS and recorded a link between holdings on CTS then the following movements of cattle do not have to be reported to the BCMS (though in some cases they may need to in the future):
- between a keeper's farm and common land where his cattle graze;
- between a keeper's farm and temporary grass lets;
- movements between a keeper's farm and another where there are shared facilities (eg if a keeper milks his herd in someone else's parlour).
In all cases the keeper must record the movements in the herd register and continue to notify other relevant bodies if appropriate.
BCMS must be told by all cattle keepers involved when an animal moves. For example, when there is a private sale, the seller will need to tell BCMS about the movement ‘off’ his holding, and the buyer will need to tell BCMS about the movement ‘on’ to his holding.
Why does BCMS have to be told about both 'on' and 'off' movements?
European legislation requires both 'on' and 'off' movements to be notified. If only one person had to tell BCMS, and they forgot to do so, the information on the database could be wrong.
Page published: 1 August 2011