Pigs (Records, Identification and Movements) (Scotland) Order 2011

The above legislation came into force on the 1st October 2011. 

It represents a significant change in the way that pigs are identified.  Previously, pigs could be sent to a slaughterhouse with the only identification being a red line down their backs.  This is no longer the case.  A pig must now be identified by eartag, tattoo or slapmark. 

This requirement has identified the fact that some small pig producers are not registered with the Animal Health & Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) (formerly the State Veterinary Service).  If you have pigs and have not registered with the Agency, please contact AHVLA (Perth) on 01738602211.  The Agency will also assist you by providing a unique herd number for your pigs.

What type of identification you use is your own choice.  However, you should consider the options with advice from your animal health product supplier and if he/she has concerns about the welfare issues of (for instance) putting eartags into older pigs, you should consult your veterinary surgeon.

Many small scale pig producers operate extensive systems and it is necessary to be sure that you can handle pigs in order to attach or apply identification in a way which is as stress free as possible and which is also safe for you as the handler.

Prior to this legislation, movements of pigs were notified to the Scottish Animal Movements Unit by the local authority.  This was done via the Schedule 2 form (often known as a Pig Movement Document or Form) which was provided by the pig owner.

Again this has changed and in the future, movements will be via the ScotEID movement database which can be contacted either electronically via www.scoteid.com or by telephone on 01466 794323.  There is still provision to notify by post.  A possible pro forma is available.  Local authorities will continue to process Schedule 2 movement documents up until 30.11.2011.  Thereafter, Scoteid must be accessed by one of the suggested methods (above).

You must still maintain a movement register of movements on or off your holding and these  should be recorded within 48 hours of the movement.  These records must be maintained for a minimum of 3 years.

For further information on Pig Keeping please visit the Scottish Government site for Pig Keepers.