Legislation exists to prevent the introduction of serious notifiable diseases such as Foot and Mouth and Avian Influenza. There are continuing requirements to keep records, ensure livestock is correctly identified and correctly fed.

Measures exist to protect both human and animal health. In addition to this there is legislation that protects livestock welfare, whilst it is on the farm, in transit and in markets.

Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (RSPCA) and National Farmers Union (NFU) work with Trading Standards to keep and enforce standards around animal health. You can also find further advice about this in the Trading Standards Institute website.

Who to contact