Guidance for the Livestock Information Service for sheep

Keeping accurate sheep movement records is a legal requirement, but the Livestock Information Service can also make the process quicker and easier for farmers in England.

The Defra traceability system allows sheep keepers to report movements online, maintain a digital holding register and keep livestock records in one place.

Movements onto a holding must be reported within three days, while further changes are planned as Defra moves towards a new multispecies livestock traceability service.

For farmers unsure how the system works, what information can be recorded or what happens when animals move through markets, shows or abattoirs, the following guidance answers some of the most common questions about LIS.

Why should I use LIS?

Traceability - Timely and accurate movement records enhance traceability and support confidence in the health status of your livestock. The free electronic holding register will also make your record keeping much easier.

Accuracy - Digital reporting improves the accuracy of livestock movement data to support decision-making and help reduce the spread of disease.

Speed - Online movements are recorded much quicker and more efficiently than the submission of paper forms, which improves the speed and accuracy of movement data.

Trade - Reporting your moves via LIS supports export trade opportunities. Your vet can also record their attestation of visits digitally on LIS.

Inform decisions - Online reporting via LIS helps to better inform agencies, government and industry to improve disease surveillance and control.

Report on movements – government guidelines

You must report on movements within three days of the animal arriving on to your holding. You can choose to report on movements either:

• Online using your LIS account or a farm software package

• By posting the LIS-1 movement document to LIS

The sending keeper cannot report the on movement for you. However, if the sending keeper has reported the move online, such as through a market, you can simply log in and confirm the movement onto your holding.

Alternatively, you can report the whole move, covering both the on and off movement.

Please complete the destination section of the document. You must keep a paper or scanned digital copy of this document for three years from the date the animal arrives on your holding.

However, if both the on and off moves were reported online, you do not have to keep copies.

FAQs for the Livestock Information Service

1. What’s the LIS sign-up process and how long does it take?

Before you can use the Livestock Information Service (LIS), you must first be registered as a Keeper of Livestock with APHA and have obtained a County Parish Holding (CPH) number.

To create your account, you will need to have your County Parish Holding (CPH) number and associated email address to hand, as verification is required.

The first step is to upload your animals onto your holding register, which can be done manually, by uploading a CSV or by connecting an EID reader.

2. What if I have a problem logging in, for example my CPH or email address is not recognised?

Firstly, check you have entered the slashes and numbers in the correct place for the CPH and check case sensitivity for email addresses. Then contact the LIS Support Team.

3. Why is LIS free to use and how does it differ from farm software?

LIS is Defra’s traceability system for recording the movement of sheep, goats or deer in England. Wales uses EID Cymru and Scotland uses ScotEID.

4. What can I record on LIS?

As a minimum, keepers can record the movement of animals on and off their holding and maintain a digital holding register.

They can also record an animal’s date of birth, breed, gender and death, as well as dam and sire information when recording EID tags.

5. Why are paper forms still required to accompany the animal?

Because not everyone uses the digital system yet. The LIS-1 form is still required to accompany the animal in transport and through markets.

It is necessary for certain record-keeping purposes. You can, however, print off the digital form after submission.