Livestock Identification and Traceability : Pigs

The legislation regarding the keeping and movement of pigs "The Pigs (Records, Identification and Movement) (Scotland) Order 2011" came into force on 1st October 2011

Notification of Movement Off Pigs

Keepers can notify movements electronically to the ScotEID movement reporting database (www.scoteid.com) or alternatively by telephone to the ScotEID Information centre, 01466 794323.

Once the information has been recorded on the database the system will allow the keeper to print of a movement document.  When the movements are notified by telephone the keeper will be given the option of having a movement document posted out to them.

In addition to electronic and telephone notification keepers can notify movements in writing by sending the relevant information to the following address:

ScotEID Information Centre
Unit 28
The Huntly Business Centre
83 Gordon St
HUNTLY
AB54 8FG

Tel: 01466 794323
Fax: 01466 792801
Email: help@scoteid.com

Where a movement has been notified directly to the ScotEID database either electronically or by telephone then the movement does not require to be accompanied by a movement document.  Movement of pigs less than 12 months old, however, and identified with a temporary mark must be accompanied by a movement document.

Moves to show grounds

Movements to show grounds or exhibitions must be notified to ScotEID using one of the
movement notification methods outlined above. Keepers can notify their animal's movement to the show or exhibition and their return at the same time if they choose to. If a keeper sells a pig at a show or exhibition then they must notify ScotEID within 3 days of the sale taking place. If the sale takes place at a show or exhibition outside Scotland you must use the movement notification system in the country the pig was sold.

Moves to a vet

Your pigs should normally be correctly identified before they move. However, for veterinary treatment they can be moved without being identified. However, you should record the movement in your holding register but you do not need to notify the move to ScotEID.

Pig Records

The owner or person in charge of a pig shall make and maintain a record showing dates of movements, identification mark, number of pigs, premises from which moved and premises to which moved.  Medicines records showing details of drugs purchased and administered must be kept.  In addition, a yearly count of pigs must take place and the number recorded.

Identification Of Pigs

All pigs must be identified before leaving the holding of birth. They can be identified using:

  • Eartags: must contain the letters "UK" followed by your herdmark.
  • Tattoos: Must show your herdmark and must be applied to the ear of the pig.
  • Slapmark: must show your herd mark and should be applied to the shoulder of the pig by a slapper.
  • Temporary mark: paint mark on a pig for example a blue line, red cross or black circle. This can be used for pigs going from holding to holding. The temporary mark must last until pig reaches its final destination. This only applies to Pigs less than 12 months old and does not apply to movements to a slaughterhouse, to a market, or for breeding.

Registration Of Holdings

Owners or persons in charge of pigs must register with Animal Health Office, Inverness (Tel. 01463728800) within 30 days of having pigs. In ordered to be registered owners must be aware of their holding CPH (Croft Parish Holding) number which can be obtained from the local SGPRID office.

The holding register

To protect the health of your livestock, and to improve pig traceability, you must keep a register of the pigs on your holding (you should keep a separate register for each holding you use). This register will hold information about your pigs, the holding and any movements of pigs on or off your holding. You can keep your register, in any format you wish; however, it must contain at least the following information:

  • the name and address of the keeper, including CPH number;
  • the date the pigs were moved;
  • the address and CPH number where the pig(s) were moved from;
  • the address and CPH number where the pig(s) were moved to;
  • the number of pigs moved; and
  • the temporary mark or identification number, including the unique individual identification number, if applicable.

This information must be recorded in the holding register within 48 hours of a movement on or off your holding. You must keep your records for a minimum of 3 years (even if you stop keeping pigs) and you must make your records available for inspection if required. Every keeper must complete a holding register. Once a year you must record the number of pigs on your holding in your holding register.

Additional information

When pigs arrive on your holding, your holding will be under a standstill whereby other livestock may not be moved off the holding for a specific period of time. The standstill rules are there to protect against the rapid spread of any disease outbreak – the standstill acts as an incubation period and slows down the spread of disease. Pigs trigger a 20-day standstill on other pigs when they move onto a holding. Pigs trigger a 13-day standstill on any cattle, sheep or goats on that holding. Cattle, sheep and goats moving onto a holding will impose a 13-day standstill on any pig on that holding.

There are movements which are exempt from the 20-day standstill, moves between authorised premises (i.e. pig pyramids) or where keepers have a separation agreement in place. For further information on exemptions you should contact your local AHVLA Divisional Office.

SWILL OR CATERING WASTE MUST NOT BE FED TO ANY PIG

Contact

For further information, please Contact Consumer and Environmental Services