Pig keepers: how to keep a holding register
What to include in a holding register, including how to record pig movements and taking an annual inventory.
Applies to England
You must keep a holding register to record every movement of pigs to or from your holding or premise.
This includes pigs kept as pets.
Keeping a holding register can help contain and control the spread of disease. It’s your responsibility to follow the rules. If you do not, you could get movement restrictions on your pigs, get a fine or be prosecuted.
You must also report the pigs’ movements.
What you need to record
You must record movements on and off your holding or premises within 36 hours.
You must include:
- the herd mark of the pigs moved (or herd marks if there are pigs from more than one herd)
- the number of pigs with each herd mark
- details of the holding the pigs came from (for movements on)
- details of the holding the pigs are going to (for movements off)
You must also record the individual identification number you’ve applied to pigs moved to:
- exhibitions or shows
- artificial insemination (AI) centres or other breeding locations
- other countries outside of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)
Record the movements of pet pigs
You do not have to record a movement if you’re taking a pet pig for a walk outside your premises but you must have a walking licence from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
Find out how to get a walking licence and other rules for keeping pigs as pets. You must record all other movements.
How to keep a holding register
You can choose how you keep a holding register, as long as it contains the required information and you can provide a copy when visited by a field officer.
You can use:
- paper, for example a notebook
- a spreadsheet
- your farm management software
- the electronic animal movement licensing (eAML2) movements archive for movements records
Call eAML2 if you need advice.
eAML2
Email: eaml2@ahdb.org.uk
Telephone: 0844 335 8400
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
Take an annual inventory
Once a year (you can choose when), you must record in your holding register the:
- number of pigs on the holding on that day
- total number of pigs normally on the holding
You can keep digital or paper records. You must keep them for 3 years after you stop keeping pigs and show them to a field officer if requested.