[Rosemary]

After 10 years of smallholding and seven years of keeping livestock, we had our first visit from Animal Health today. The chap that came was very helpful, very knowledgeable - had looked at the website and suggested a couple fo changes, which we've made - looked at the stock, the feedstore and had a chat about paperwork, medicines and so on. He seemed happy with the way we were running things here.

Good thing is I now have someone in the Perth office that I've met and who has met me, so I'd be very happy to phone him for advice.

Did get a bit wobbly legs when he arrived - bit like being followed by a police car when you're driving, even if you KNOW you're driving is fine.

[northfifeduckling]

did you invite him or was it an annanounced check on you?

[Rosemary]

Unannounced - scuppered my plan to pick up straw, so that's rescheduled to Monday 

[Roxy]

I have never had a visit until a few weeks ago.  Thankfully he did ring and gave me two days notice!! I had time to eartag the three youngsters.

Nice man who came.  Picked out three movement forms,  asked to see my copies, and  to see the entries in my register. He was impressed by my record keeping - many years of office work to thank for that!  Asked to see horse trailer,and all their passports.  Only think wrong was lack of paperwork from slaughterhouse for fallen stock.  He looked at the goats, although delined to see the pygmies, when I mentioned the intact billy.

He said it will be 3-5 years before he visits again.

[waterhouse]

What's AH's interest in horses?   I thought they were basically unregulated.  And AML1's go to Trading Standards so what is AH for?

[Rosemary]

What's AH's interest in horses?   I thought they were basically unregulated.  And AML1's go to Trading Standards so what is AH for?

I don't know but in Scotland, there is a desire by SG to reduce the inspection regime, so one agency may pick up the inspections of another and pass on the information so that farmers have fewer inspections by different agencies.

[robert waddell]

with the animal movement forms trading standards (for your area)is where you post or fax the copy if buyer and seller live within that TS area that is as far as it goes if buyer and seller is from different areas TS send the forms onto SAMU if trading standards has a query  of there own or asked by you they will approach SAMU you can get visits from both unannounced       now the book .if you keep all your forms and fill out a book that is twice the paper work          trading standards are run by the local council and the last time we were talking to our TS officer he was voicing concern over the future of the department and his future

[yankieGirl]

After 10 years of smallholding and seven years of keeping livestock, we had our first visit from Animal Health today.

You are inspected?  Do you sell a product to the public?  Wow and I thought we were over regulated.

[shetlandpaul]

we have had three pig checkups. each time we did not have pigs. very helpful folks in both trading standards and animal health.

[Fleecewife]

After 10 years of smallholding and seven years of keeping livestock, we had our first visit from Animal Health today.

You are inspected?  Do you sell a product to the public?  Wow and I thought we were over regulated.

Hi there - it's because Britain is a member of the European Union which has devised endless rules and regulations for every area of life, each of which requires its own inspectors and departments - keeps unemployment figures lower than they might otherwise be 

[Bright Raven]

I have had two visits for TB checks and dont keep any cattle. They just said "oh, no need to look then" and drove on to the next stop. You are right about job creation, but you would think they would be smart enough not to make the same mistake twice.

[knightquest]

You are right about job creation, but you would think they would be smart enough not to make the same mistake twice.

Call me cynical but I've never thought of them as smart 

Ian

[yankieGirl]

.....European Union which has devised endless rules and regulations for every area of life.....


Inspections are required for a hobby farm that minds its own business and sells nothing to the public?  UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!!!

To that I say, "don't tread on me!"

[northfifeduckling]

my qustion - are all of you who had a visit registered smallholders? 

[robert waddell]

if you have a CPH number you are in for a visit also if you have poultry you are supposed to be on there register as well (maybe once you reach a certain number)