The Pigs (Records, Identification and Movement) (Wales) Order 2011

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order, which applies in relation to Wales, continues to implement Council Directive 2008/71/EEC on the identification and registration of pigs (OJ No L 213, 8.8.2008, p.31). It revokes and replaces the Pigs (Records, Identification and Movement) (Wales) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1742) (W.172).

The principal change is that it requires pre-notification to a central, computerised database of most movements of pigs.

The Order requires that a person keeping pigs on a holding must notify the Welsh Ministers (article 4) and requires a record to be kept (article 5 and the Schedule). Article 24 provides that an inspector is entitled to see these records and require copies.

Articles 6 to 11 require pigs to be marked with ear tags or tattoos and specify what these identification marks must contain.

Articles 12 to 20 deal with the procedures for notification of movements and the necessary documentation.

Article 21 allows the Welsh Ministers to exempt some movements from the requirements of the Disease Control (Wales) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1966) (W.211).

Articles 22 and 23 govern the removal and replacement of identification marks.

The Order is enforced by the local authority (article 25).

Breach of the Order is an offence under section 73 of the Animal Health Act 1981, punishable in accordance with section 75 of that Act.

A regulatory impact assessment of the effects this Order will have on the costs of business, the voluntary sector and the public sector has been prepared and is available from the Welsh Government, Cathays Park Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.