Ceredigion County Council

Information about Farm Inspections

We have a programme of planned visits to farms. During these inspections, we check livestock records for:

• Disease control and tracing
• Farm movements
• Transport
• Breeding, birth, deaths and Cattle Passports
• Use of medicines. Retention and correct use of Animal Movement Licences. Details of animal by-products (carcasses)

We try and ensure the highest possible standards of disease control and animal welfare, by:

• Inspecting livestock for signs of disease
• Ensuring that any sick or injured animals are cared for promptly
• Checking that livestock have access to adequate feed and water. Inspecting building to ensure that ventilation, lighting and space allowance meet required standards
• Advising on Codes of Good Practice for Welfare of Livestock
• Bio-security

We check Identification for traceability which is vital for notifiable disease control – BSE, Bovine Tuberculosis and Foot and Mouth etc. The main way of identifying animals is by ear tags, which have to be applied after certain time periods in the case of cows and sheep and before movement of other livestock. Identification is also vital for meat entering the food chain, so that its origin can be traced. There are also strict controls in place for replacing lost or illegible identification.

We advise on Bio-security, which is the cleanliness of the farm itself its, buildings, equipment including vehicles and any isolation facilities. By following the law and best practice, the possibility of the spread of any disease is reduced.

​Information about Agricultural Market Inspections

We attend the livestock markets in Ceredigion to help ensure the highest possible standards of welfare for the animals while they are at the market.

• Bio-security is vital at markets to reduce the risk of the spread of disease
• We ensure that vehicles transporting animals are cleansed and disinfected at the market or when they return to the farm
• We also ensure that animals were and are fit to be transported
• We also ensure that movement documents are correct and issue licences for pigs to move away from the market
• We also ensure that animals are correctly identified

Information about Abattoir Inspections

We regularly inspect livestock at slaughterhouses, and liaise with the Official Veterinarian, to ensure the highest possible standards of animal welfare.

We check that the animals arriving were fit to be transported and have not been caused unnecessary suffering in transit and that identification documentation is correct. This again ensures the traceability of animals entering the food chain.

Food Chain Information (FCI) are required for all cattle, goat, sheep and pigs submitted for slaughter. Food Chain Information forms and guidance are available from the Food Chain Information page by clicking on the following link here.

Information about Agricultural Show Inspections

We attend the agricultural shows in Ceredigion to help ensure the highest possible standards of welfare for the animals while they are at the show.

• Bio-security is vital at shows to reduce the risk of the spread of disease
• We ensure that vehicles transporting animals to and from the show are adequately cleaned
• We also ensure that animals were and are fit to be transported
• We also ensure that movement documents are correct and fully filled in
• We also ensure that animals are correctly identified

Information about Inspection of Vehicles During the Transportation of Animals

In conjunction with the police we conduct roadside checks on any vehicles that are being used for the transportation of animals. This will also include trailers and horseboxes.

The vehicles are checked to ensure that they are safe and suitable for the animals being transported. The condition of the animals together with accompanying documentation is inspected, along with journey time details, in a similar detailed manner as previously described.

Transporter Authorisation application forms and guidance notes are available from the Defra website by clicking on the following link here.

​Welfare complaints are responded to with the utmost urgency and are dealt with quickly and effectively.

If you have any welfare complaints regarding cattle, sheep, goats, pigs or poultry contact us on:

For any other animal welfare complaints contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234999.