Livestock and poultry - performance moves: guidance

Performance moves are movements of cattle, sheep, goats, and other ruminants, pigs and poultry to and from non-agricultural premises which may not have a County Parish Holding (CPH) number.

These include for example village halls, school halls, fetes, shopping centres, churches, garden centres and film studios. True shows – exhibitions of animals from more than one source – are not included in this definition.

How to arrange a performance move 

You need to contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to arrange a performance move.

• send your request to ScotlandDRRAID@apha.gov.uk. APHA will issue a CPH to the destination premises for the purpose of the performance move 
• the destination premises must have been free from livestock for the last 28 days, or be cleansed and disinfected using a Defra-approved disinfectant at the General Orders dilution rate
• once a CPH is provided for the destination, the ‘on’ and ‘off’ moves must be reported in full at both destinations (i.e. farm of origin and destination CPH)
• the animals must be properly identified, fit for transport and not showing signs of notifiable disease. The departure holding must also not be under any restrictions
• the livestock transport must be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected using a Defra-approved disinfectant at the General Orders dilution rate
• the keeper must contact the local authority for public health awareness and to comply with the requirements of the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925

Read further detail on livestock identification and movement reporting requirements.

Standstill requirements

In all cases, appropriate standstill requirements must be observed before and after the performance move. This applies for standstill requirements of 13 days for cattle, sheep and goats and 20 days for pigs. See a list of exemptions to the standstill requirements.

Welfare in transport

The welfare of the animals must be protected at all times including during transport and the event. Read guidance covering welfare in transport requirements.