Sheep and goat identification and traceability: guidance for keepers in Scotland

Section 4: Movement documents (MD)

When an animal moves, its movement must be recorded in the movement document and then reported to the Scottish Animal Movement Unit (SAMU) within 3 days of arrival at the holding by the receiving keeper; moves that take place via a Market in Scotland will be notified to SAMU by the Market. It is essential that the SAMU database holds information on the actual locations of sheep and goats. Please ensure that you provide the CPH of the actual location the sheep or goat moves from or to.

All movements from a holding in Scotland (except those for emergency veterinary treatment) must be accompanied by a movement document. These are in triplicate form and issued by the Scottish Government (copies of MDs can be obtained from your local RPID office, contact details at Annex A). Markets will issue their own version of a movement document which includes all of the required information. This must accompany the animals from the market to the next location. If you are a keeper removing animals from a market you must supply the market with the destination and haulier details.

For non-market moves departure keepers, those transporting animals and receiving keepers, are all responsible for completing their appropriate section of the movement document. In some cases this may be the same person. Currently each keeper should complete the movement document as follows:

Departure location keeper – before the animals begin their journey you must enter the following details on the movement document:

• CPH of the departure location;
• departure address;
• name and address of the keeper;
• date of departure;
• number of animals being moved;
• CPH or address of the receiving location;
• signature of the keeper.

The individual number must be recorded on the movement document for moves to shows and for the movement of rams or goats to another holding for breeding purposes.

Once the haulier/transporter has completed the haulage details, the pink copy of the movement document must be retained by the departure keeper for 3 years and be available for inspection if required.

Transporter/Haulier – before the journey commences the Transporter/Haulier must enter the haulage details on the movement document. The white & yellow copy of the movement document or market movement document must accompany the animals on the journey. On arrival at the destination, these must be given to the receiving keeper.

Receiving location keeper – you must check that the information about the number of animals moved and the destination details on the movement document received are correct. All moves that take place out with a market must be notified to SAMU within 3 days by the receiving keeper. If the animals have come direct from a market, you must notify SAMU within 3 days of any amendments. The date of arrival and the keeper's signature must be added. The yellow copy of the movement document must be retained by the keeper for 3 years and be available for inspection if required.

Notification to SAMU

The movement document forms the basis of the notification to SAMU. The white copy of the movement document can be either posted or emailed to SAMU. SAMU staff will be happy to answer queries relating to notification of movements and can be contacted using the details below:

Contact details for SAMU

Post:

SAMU
Scottish Government
161 Brooms Road
Dumfries
DG1 3ES

Tel No: 0300 244 5888
E-mail: SAMU@gov.scot

Moves within the UK

Moves to Scotland from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be accompanied by a movement document required by the legislation in that country. The receiving keeper in Scotland should action these as they would a Scottish movement document. Scottish movement documents should be completed for moves into England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Dates for recording in the movement document – new requirements

Individual recording in the movement document begins on two different dates. The requirements from the 31 December 2010 are:

• fully EID identified animals and double identified goats, born or identified after 31 December 2009 should be recorded individually unless they are moved from one holding to another but the ownership of the animals does not change or you move them through a CCP (see section 5);
• slaughter animals and historic animals should be recorded on a batch basis.
• The requirements from 31 December 2011 are:
• older animals individual identification number should be recorded, except those moving to slaughter or moving from one holding to another but the ownership of the animals does not change or you move them through a CCP (see section 5);
• slaughter animals should be recorded on a batch basis.

For the movement document requirements for moves 'off your holding, moves to shows, the vet and to and from common grazing' please refer to Section 3, pages 15 – 16.