Pigs
If you intend to keep pigs including as pets, you must:
- register with your local Rural Payment and Inspections Directorate (RPID) office who will allocate a County Parish Holding (CPH) number if you have not already got one
- inform your local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), who will provide you with a herd mark for your holding. This herd mark will enable you to buy ear tags
Feeding pigs
It is illegal to feed any pig any catering waste. This is defined as all waste food, including cooking oil, originating in restaurants, catering facilities, and household kitchens.
Identification and traceability
Pig identification and traceability are a vital part of animal disease control in Scotland. In the event of a disease outbreak, it is important that all animals can be identified and movements traced quickly and efficiently to prevent the spread of the disease.
Read the guidance on pig traceability
All pig keepers must comply with current animal identification, notification of movement and record-keeping requirements. The number of pigs on the holding must also be recorded in the holding register.
Moving pigs
All movements of pigs must be reported either:
- before the move
- on the day the pigs move
Report pig movement to ScotEID
The pig keeper at the destination must then confirm the pigs' arrival to ScotEID within 3 days.
Standstill period
When pigs arrive at your holding, your holding will be under a movement standstill, so other livestock may not be moved off your holding for a specific period.
Pigs moving onto your holding will trigger a:
- 20-day standstill period on the movement of other pigs
- 13-day standstill period for cattle, sheep or goats
Moving cattle, sheep or goats onto your holding will trigger a 13-day standstill period on any pigs moving off your holding.
There are exemptions if you have a separation agreement in place. For more details on this, you should contact your local Rural Payments and Inspections Division office.