The Bovine Animals (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1995

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order replaces the Movement of Animals (Records) Order 1960 (so far as it relates to bovine animals), the Bovine Animals (Identification, Marking and Breeding Records) Order 1990, both as amended, and certain provisions of the Welfare of Animals at Markets Order 1990.

It implements provisions of Council Directive 92/102/EEC on the identification and registration of animals (O.J. No L 355, 5.12.92, p.32) to the extent that it applies to bovine animals.

The principal requirements of the Order are as follows—

(1) Owners and persons in charge of bovine animals on a holding are required to give information about the holding to the appropriate Divisional Veterinary Officer (article 4).

(2) Owners and persons in charge of bovine animals are also required to keep records of births, deaths and movement of bovine animals and to keep a record of their numbers (article 5). Article 7 specifies the periods for which these records are to be kept.

(3) Market operators are required to keep records of calves passing through the market (article 6). Article 7 also specifies the periods for which these records are to be kept.

(4) Owners and persons in charge of bovine animals are to ensure that they are identified by ear tags containing specified particulars (article 8). Tags must be of a pattern approved by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and must not adversely affect the well-being of the animal (article 13). Lost or illegible ear tags are to be replaced (article 9). They may be removed only on the authority of a veterinary inspector (article 12) and may not be altered or defaced (article 14).

(5) Animals without an identification may not be moved (article 15).

Contravention of the Order is an offence under the Animal Health Act 1981 punishable under section 75 of that Act.

A Compliance Cost Assessment of the impact that this Order will have on business will be available in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament.