Grazing

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Sat May 31, 2008 8:16 am

My parents-in-law have a small paddock at the back of their house and they need it grazing. Can I just deliver some sheep and let them get on with it and then remove them when they've done the job, or do they need a holding number? They are just 1 mile away from us.

Louise Badcock · Post by **Louise Badcock** » Sat May 31, 2008 11:23 am

Add the field to your own holding number.

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:38 pm

I didn't realise you could do that. Thanks Louise.

bjreroberts · Post by **bjreroberts** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:54 pm

Clive,

I don't think it is quite that simple. You will need to get a Sole Occupancy Authority (SOA).

Contact your Animal District Health Officer and tell them you want to get an SOA for the field. They will then contact your nominated vet and they will come out (at tax payers expense) and inspect the land and fill in the form.

Once you have the SOA you can move the animals as if it is part of your holding. You need to record the animal movements but don't need to submit them.

All a bit of a farce really as when you take out a holding number they don't actually record what land you have! It might be different for a working farm where subsidies are being claimed, but if you are not claiming subsidies then they have no record of the land associated with a holding.

Edited By bjreroberts on 1213946431

Bury Hill Farm · Post by **Bury Hill Farm** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 9:19 pm

I have recently contacted my Local Animal Health Office in Gloucester to add / register some extra land to my holding number and was told that as the land was less than 7 kms away I needed to do nothing as it would be classed as part of my holding.

Also prior to this I had contacted them regarding about 10 acres which although in a different county (wilts) is debatable how far away it is (they could not decide whether by road miles or as the crow flies !) needed a new holding & herd number issued - which meant numerous telephone calls to RPA (rural paymeny agency), Animal health office, BCMS (cattle movement service).

The only benefit I have gained by this so far is that I have holdings in both Blue Tongue Surveillance & proctection zones ~ so I am able to purchase stock in either zone & utilise the holding in the correct zone !

Generally speaking though the answers that you get when contacting these Government Depts vary some what I tend to ask for the persons name & make a note of it along with the information given as I am certain that at times it is not entirely correct & with all the legislation these days it is best to cover yourself.

The level of paperwork that we are having to carry out these days is becoming beyond a joke !

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 7:43 am

I understand that you can register an associate holding that is linked to your own. When this is done you have to record the movement in your book but do not have to inform BCMS.

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:56 am

Martin is right about linking holdings, very easy to set up through BCMS, but you have to remember to renew the link every year, they do not remind you - I found myself inadvertantly moving stuff about after the link had expired last year.

Duncan