[kate7590]

Hubby has had a big change of heart about Darwin. He has accepted that sending him for meat is the best and only decision…. he's also mentioned the possibility of keeping his fleece and making a rug (we have a jacob skin rug already that we bought and its lovely) I have absolutely NO idea how to go about this. Do we have to do something at home or can the abattoir do it? Does it need sending somewhere?

Also- we have printed off a movement license from trading standards website, is this all we need? What else do we need to do?

[Foobar]

When are you intending to send him "away"?  With skins you have to do it at the right time of year - now is no good as they will have started moulting (although you won't see it - when the skin is processed big lumps of wool will fall out).  Sept-Oct-Nov is the best time.

[kate7590]

Thank-you. Yes Iv just read on a website and realised it won't be possible. Shame but there we go..

[twizzel]

You need a form from ARAMS, not the AML-1 form which is now out of date. You can print them off but would need to complete 4 copies as 1 needs to go to abattoir, 1 kept with you as departing keeper, 1 with whoever transports the sheep and 1 sent to animal movement service. If you give them a ring though they should be able to send you the proper forms.

[princesslayer]

Can you log on and create an electronic ARAMS account and do it electronically? I've created an account, quite straightforward, but not gone through a whole movement procedure yet, so not sure if that's easy or not.

[Dogwalker]

Wales hasn't gone electronic yet so the paper form is fine but you need extra copies.
Is the ram tagged properly?
When is he booked in?

[kate7590]

Hes not booked in yet, we've spoken to the abattoir who says come on a monday (we will confirm before we just turn up of course!)
Can the forms just be printed off?
Can you tell we've never done this before?! lol

[Bramblecot]

How soon does he have to go?  If you can shear him, then allow enough growth of the new fleece you could send him mid summer.  Also the older he is, the tougher the skin - you will not get back a soft leather like you do with a lamb skin.  The staff at the tannery Devonia are very helpful.

[Foobar]

You need to fill in an AML-1.  If you don't have any you should phone your local council's Trading Standards office and ask them to send you some.  Or you can print some out, but it's easier to have the proper forms as they are coloured carbon copies.
Print from here:
http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/ahw/farmanimaltracing/animalmovementlicences/amlsheepandgoats/?lang=en
If you do print them you will need to fill in FOUR copies, one for the local authority, one for you, one for the transporter (you), and one for the abattoir.


Make sure your animal is properly tagged - ie double tagged with EID.  Record the tag numbers on the movement form.  You can phone your abattoir for their address and CPH number in advance so you can fill that in before you go.  Explain that it is your first time and they will probably be very helpful.


Also withhold food the night before - i.e. bring him in (or pen him up) with just water. No grass or hay or hard feed.  This will ensure that he has an empty belly in the morning which the abattoir will want for hygiene reasons.


Also you will need to tick the FCI box on the form - confirming that you have satisfied any withdrawal periods for any drugs that you might have administered.

[kate7590]

Thank you Foobar thats really helpful!
I think we're going to try and take him in the next couple of weeks, otherwise we might back out lol

[Foobar]

Oh also.... get them (or your butcher) to hang it for 7-10 days before cutting it up.  That will tenderize it and improve the flavour.