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Track and Trace
The Country Smallholder
|February 2026
John Sones looks at changes concerning livestock welfare measures and available funding
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Various government departments have made or are about to make changes to livestock traceability and health measures. It can be confusing so here is my understanding of how these changes relate to registering land used on a temporary basis, new rules for cattle traceability and identification and, for some stockkeepers, possible financial help for vet visits. We are all busy at this time of the year if we have livestock and its easy to miss email, WhatsApp and text message alerts, or see them and mean to go back to them. But it is important to keep up with changes especially with Blue Tongue causing regular updates and restrictions. It’s too late for New Year resolutions but do get in the habit of going back through messages and/or looking on the Defra site to keep up with any changes. If you have poultry and have registered as you must by law, you will get updates, but there is more to be found on the Defra website which will keep you well informed.
REGISTERING TEMPORARY LIVESTOCK ACCOMMODATION
This story is from the February 2026 edition of The Country Smallholder.
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