Interactive lesson

Legal duties, step by step

Interactive lesson: what an animal keeper must do — registering the holding, ear tags, movements, vaccinations and tests, reporting disease and welfare.

Free sample Chapters 1 and 2 (8 steps) are free. The full lesson comes with the Legal duties module. Already bought? Unlock

This lesson is general guidance, not professional training. Local regulations and expert advice always take precedence. Read our disclaimer.

The whole lesson as text

1. How to keep up with the rules

The rules apply to a few hens, a goat or a pig “just for the house” too, not only to farms.

Every country its own — The UK, Ireland, the US and Canada have their own laws. In the UK each of the four nations sets its own details; in the US and Canada states and provinces set most rules.
Tests and schemes — The authorities set which tests and vaccinations are compulsory, for which animals and who pays: for example bovine TB and BVD testing in the UK and Ireland, rabies for dogs in the US and Canada.
Ask your vet — The simplest thing is to ask your own vet and, in the US, your Extension office. They know what applies where you live.
One question a year — At the annual vet visit ask: “What is compulsory for my animals this year, how much does it cost and by when?”

Why: Diseases don't choose the size of the herd: African swine fever, bird flu, bovine TB or rabies can spread through a single backyard animal. That's why the state wants to know where animals are, which animals they are and what happens to them.

Names of institutions change, so check with the competent authority where you live.
Write your vet's answer about this year's duties in the calendar of legal duties.

2. Registering the holding

The first step is registering the land or premises where animals are kept.

Before the first animal — Register before you bring home cattle, sheep, goats, pigs or deer. In the UK and Ireland, poultry too.
What you need — Personal details, the address and location of the premises, species and number of animals.
Holding number — A CPH number (UK), herd number (Ireland) or premises ID (US, Canada). Write it down and keep it: it goes on tags, passports, movement papers and test results.
Report changes — A new species, a new site or stopping keeping animals must be reported.

Why: The holding gets a number that goes on ear tags, passports, movement papers and test results. Without that number you can't properly identify or sell your animals.

In Great Britain all poultry keepers must register, even with a few hens; in Ireland all poultry flocks are registered with DAFM.
Registering as a farm business for grants and food sales is a separate subject (H64-03 and H64-07).