Farms and livestock
If you keep livestock, you need to comply with the relevant regulations.Your holdings will be inspected regularly to make sure you are complying with regulations. These inspection visits focus on:
- Checking the proper maintenance of livestock records.
- Checking the proper identification of stock.
- Checking the adequacy of biosecurity, and cleansing and disinfection measures.
- Checking for evidence of animal disease.
- Checking the general standards of animal husbandry and animal welfare.
- Checking the adequacy of arrangements for the loading, unloading, transport and handling of stock.
- Promoting awareness of regulatory requirements and improving standards of stock husbandry and production.
Regulation of livestock movements
Our Environmental Health service has a wide range of responsibilities relating to animal health and welfare in relation to livestock movements. These include:
- Ensuring compliance with the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order in relation to the loading, unloading and handling of stock.
- Checking movement documents and ensuring compliance with general licence conditions relating to movement and standstill periods.
- Checking adequacy of facilities such as feed, water and penning and/or lairage arrangements.
- Checking the adequacy of biosecurity, and cleansing and disinfection measures.
- Ensuring protection of stock from extremes of weather.
- Checking the proper identification of stock.
- Checking for evidence of animal disease or injury.
Importing animals
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs deal with the licensing of animal imports.
You can contact them on 03459 33 55 77 or email defra.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Please note that importing pet animals from abroad into Aberdeen (via the airport or seaport) is prohibited and will result in us taking enforcement action.
Avian Influenza Advice (Bird Flu)
Advice and information regarding avian flu can be found on the Scottish Government website.