Plan and monitor the movement of livestock
Overview
This standard covers planning the movement of livestock in accordance with business and relevant legal requirements, as well as monitoring the movement of livestock against a movement plan.
Movement of livestock may be required for a variety of reasons, including both routine or expected movement and urgent or unexpected movement. Routine or expected movement could include:
- Complex grazing patterns (rotation)
- Relocation of an outdoor pig herd
- Movement of livestock for market or shows
- Moving animals from farm to common land
- Taking cows to the milking parlour or other routine stock procedures
- Relocation of animals to suitable accommodation at different stages of the production cycle or to the abattoir
Procedures must also be in place to handle urgent or unexpected movement of livestock, which may be caused by sudden changes in weather or other factors.
All livestock movements must be planned thoughtfully, taking into account their effects on both the enterprise and the overall farm business. Monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of these movements—routine or urgent—is essential.
The health and welfare of the livestock, along with the prevention of disease transfer, is paramount.
When carrying out this work, it is vital to consider environmental impact and strive to preserve and improve habitats and biodiversity, while also addressing and mitigating climate change effects.
This standard applies to those responsible for moving livestock from one location to another.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- Plan the movement of livestock, considering the reasons for movement, potential problems, and the impact on the enterprise and whole farm business
- Confirm the availability and suitability of the destination location for the livestock
- Identify and confirm the availability of resources needed to implement the movement
- Select a suitable route for livestock movement
- Develop movement procedures that are clear, compliant with legislation, industry codes of practice, and business policies
- Communicate the livestock movement plan to those involved and anyone else affected
- Establish and confirm hygiene and bio-security measures for moving livestock
- Consider the health status of the livestock and assess any risks posed by adjacent animals
- Confirm working methods uphold health and safety and meet legislative and business standards
- Ensure personnel are trained in livestock handling and that handling systems are safe for people and animals
- Confirm appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is being used
- Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the livestock movement
- Confirm that records are maintained and stored according to legislation, codes of practice, and business policies
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- The circumstances that require livestock to be moved, such as production cycle, seasonality, age, sexual maturity, nutritional requirements, the need for isolation, buying, selling, showing, or adverse weather conditions
- The relevant regulations covering the movement of animals and that determine when an animal is deemed fit to be moved
- The possible effects the movement of livestock will have on the enterprise, the whole farm business, and anyone else affected by the movement
- The importance of ensuring that the movement of livestock is planned and communicated clearly to all those involved
- The factors affecting the choice of route when moving livestock
- How to determine the human, financial, material, and capital resources necessary to carry out the livestock movement
- How different livestock have specific needs before, during, and after movement, and how to recognise these through behavioural changes
- How bio-security and animal health may be compromised by livestock movement and what preventative measures can be implemented
- The competencies needed by those involved for livestock handling and movement to be safe and successful
- The importance of confirming that the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) is used when moving livestock
- When it is necessary to mark or identify animals being moved and how this can be done
- How livestock movements could have potential environmental effects
- The importance of confirming that livestock movement complies with relevant legislation and industry codes of practice
- The importance of monitoring livestock movement, and when changes to the plan might be needed immediately or in future movements
- The requirements for reporting and recording, and the duration for which records must be retained