Explanatory note

This Order establishes a system of movement documents for cattle (“cattle passports”) for cattle born in Great Britain after the date of coming into force of this Order or imported after that date, and establishes the form of those passports (article 2 and the Schedule). It prohibits the movement of cattle on or off holdings without a cattle passport, subject to exceptions for young calves and imported cattle (articles 3 to 5). It establishes how to apply for a cattle passport (article 6) and sets out when particulars in the passport must be completed (articles 7 to 9).

It makes provisions concerning passports for slaughterhouses, knackers' yards and hunt kennels (article 10).

It provides for the retention of passports (article 11) change of ear tag numbers (article 12) and for lost passports (article 13). It provides for the surrender of passports when cattle are exported (article 14), and animal deaths where the animal is not subsequently taken to a slaughterhouse, knackers' yard or hunt kennel (article 15).

It contains provisions on late applications (article 16).

It amends the Bovine Animals (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1995 so as to control the number of times calves under 12 weeks old can be taken to market in any period of 28 days, and to permit bovine animals to have two tags, one on each ear, bearing the number approved under that Order (article 17).

It is enforced by the appropriate Minister and by the local authority (article 18).

Breach of the Order is an offence under section 73 of the Animal Health Act 1981.

A Compliance Cost Assessment has been prepared and placed in the library of each House of Parliament. Copies can be obtained from the Animal Health (Disease Control) Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Government Buildings, Hook Rise South, Tolworth, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 7NF.