Apply for an animal movement licence

In some situations (e.g. during an outbreak of Foot-and-mouth Disease) control measures require all cattle, sheep, goats and pigs to be moved under the authority of a General Licence granted by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

In addition, these animals must also be accompanied by a specific movement licence during all movements.

All such movements must be reported to Swindon Borough Council so that we can enter the movement details on a national database called the 'Animal Movement Licensing System' (AMLS), for traceability purposes.

Movement licences for cattle

You do not need a specific movement licence to move cattle, but all cattle must be accompanied by their cattle passport when moved onto or off holdings.

The relevant information must be sent to the British Cattle Movement Service for the movement details to be recorded on the national database for cattle. This can be done online on the British Cattle Movement Service website.

Licence types

AML1

An AML1 is an animal movement report document which must be used to move sheep and goats onto and off holdings.

AML2

An AML2 is an animal movement report document which must be used to move pigs onto and off holdings.

What to do with an AML1 or AML2 after movement

AML1s and AML2s are both in four parts:

• The yellow copy is for the occupier of the premises of departure.
• The blue copy must be retained by the haulier for six months after the date of the movement.
• The pink copy must be retained by the occupier of the premises of destination for six months after the date of the movement.
• The white copy must be sent to the local authority of the destination premises within three days of the date of movement.

Where to obtain AML1s and AML2s

If you are a resident of the Borough of Swindon you can obtain movement licences from the Environmental Protection (Animal Health and Welfare Team).