Farm inspections - what you need to know

Selection process

As part of the selection process a small number of holdings are chosen randomly. If an inspection is successful, the holding will not be included in the selection process for two years.

The time since the last inspection and herd size is also considered to ensure different sizes of holdings are covered.

Farms may also be chosen for the following reasons:

• No births/movements/deaths reported within the last two years where there are 20 or more cattle present
• Late movement/death reporting
• Late passport applications.
• Results of inspections from earlier years, in particular the proper keeping of the holding register, the proper keeping of passports of animals on the holding and movement restrictions placed on animals
• Previous disease outbreaks, such as BSE, TB and bluetongue
• Significant changes compared with previous years

Inspection numbers

Around 4,000 inspections will be carried out in Great Britain in the 2010/11 scheme year. Nationally, a minimum of five per cent of holdings will be selected for inspection annually.

Record-keeping

Records for each animal must include:

• Ear tag number
• Date of birth
• Sex
• Breed
• Dam identity
• Dates and addresses for cattle that have moved off the farm or been brought on to the holding

Online movement reporting

CTS online can now be used to report deaths of registered cattle. Previously, only the death of unregistered calves could be reported, but BCMS has recently added to the range of reporting categories available to farmers.

BCMS says reporting online helps ensure details of cattle deaths are recorded on the central database quickly and reliably. However, cattle keepers must still complete details of the death on the passport, and return it to BCMS within seven days.

Telephone reporting

For producers who don’t own or use a computer, Mr Lowe says cattle births, movements and deaths can be submitted using the automated phone service.

Anyone who is registered with the BCMS is eligible and the service is available round the clock for the transfer of information relating to cattle carrying a UK numeric ear tag.

Information is checked while the producer is on the phone and a reference number provided after each transaction is complete.

For more information

• Visit www.bcms.gov.uk or email bcms-enquiries@bcms.rpa.gsi.gov.uk
• Telephone 08450 501 234
• Use the telephone reporting service on 08450 111 212 (English) or 08450 111 213 (Welsh)