Doncaster Council

Breach of Movement Licences

There have been an increasing number of movements in breach of the 6-day standstill. Below are the only exemptions allowed. Movements of Cattle, Sheep or Goats within 6 clear days, other than these exemptions will be classified as a breach and may result in formal action being taken against the keeper of the livestock.

Exemptions to the 6 day standstill for Cattle, Sheep and Goats

The following movements are exempt from the 6-day standstill:

Individually identified breeding rams and bulls attending a sale between 1 August and 30 November

These animals are exempt from any 6 day standstill on their home premises as long as they have been placed in a Defra approved isolation facility for six days before they leave. 

They may not share this facility with animals being isolated for any other purpose. The animals must spend 6 days in the isolation facility before they can be presented at a further sale or move out of the isolation facility. 

If the animals return from a market unsold, the owner must send a declaration to the local authority certifying that they qualify for this exemption.

Individually identified breeding goats of either gender

These animals will not trigger a six-day standstill on the premises provided they are isolated for six days in a Defra approved isolation facility. 

To qualify for the exemption the recipient of the animals must send a declaration to the local authority certifying that the animals are for breeding on those premises.
 

Individually identified cattle, sheep and goats attending a show

These animals are exempt from the 6 day standstill provided that they are isolated for 6 days (in a DEFRA approved isolation unit) from all non-show animals on their resident holding before they attend the first show. 

They can then move from show to show without triggering a standstill and return home between shows and move to a further show within 6 days provided they are isolated. When they return to their resident holding for the last time they will trigger a 6-day standstill on the premises unless they are isolated for 6 days. 

Any cattle, sheep or goats that are sold at a show will trigger a 6-day standstill at the premises of destination. 

Movements to a slaughterhouse

These animals are not prevented by any standstill on the farm of origin. 

Returns from slaughterhouses, dedicated slaughter markets or collecting centres are not permitted.

Cattle, sheep and goats moved to and from a veterinary treatment centre or to a laboratory for diagnostic tests

These animals are not subject to the 6-day standstill before or after moving. 

At the treatment centre the animal has to be isolated.

Movements to and from an Artificial Insemination Centre

Sheep and goats have to be kept in isolation for 6 days before moving to the centre, and on return, to take advantage of this exemption.

Sole Occupancy Authorities (SOAs)

Movements between premises linked by a SOA do not trigger a standstill. 

However, a movement of cattle, sheep or goats onto any of the SOA premises from outside the SOA grouping prevents animals from moving off any of the SOA premises to a destination outside that SOA grouping for 6 days. 

If the animal moving on is a pig, no other pigs may move off for 20 days; cattle, sheep and goats may not be moved off for 6 days.

Movements of Cattle, Sheep and Goats to and from Common Land

These movements will continue to be exempt from the standstill.

In Emergencies

In emergencies such as flooding, Defra Divisional Veterinary Managers will be able to authorise exceptions to the standstill for essential moves.  

Please remember that animals must not move to a store or mixed market if their farm of origin - or any SOA linked premises - is affected by a standstill.

Banned Movements

The following movements are banned:

•  From market to market 
•  From market to collecting centre
•  From collecting centre to market
•  From collecting centre to collecting centre
•  From dedicated slaughter market to any premises other than a slaughterhouse
•  From slaughterhouse to any premises                   

Where can I get more information?

The above information is merely a broad summary of the regulations. 

Copies of the regulations themselves and frequently asked questions, may be found on the DEFRA website at www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/movements/standstill/default.htm and  www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/movements/sheep/sheep-annexesa-c.pdf

This is not an authoritative document on the law, and is only intended for guidance. In the interests of brevity, some details have been omitted. 

Further information can be obtained from contacting the Animal Health Officer on the details at the top of the page.