Animal Movement is the act of tracing livestock and poultry backwards or forwards through the production supply chain based on animal movement records. Animal Movement together with PID and Animal Identification determines where animals are, where they have been and what other animals they have come into contact with.
Movement records are important because the faster that livestock can be located, the more quickly and accurately livestock at risk of being affected by or exposed to potential diseases or natural threats can be identified and located.
Currently, producers do not have to report any additional animal movement electronically. Manifests when transporting sheep off farm are still a requirement.
Livestock Manifests
Under Alberta’s Livestock Identification and Commerce Act (LICA), a completed Alberta Livestock Manifest is required when sheep are transported or driven within the province or to a destination outside the province.
Alberta livestock manifests are available from Livestock Identification Services Ltd. at 1-866-509-2088 or www.lis-alberta.com. Manifests may also be available from Alberta Agriculture offices, auctions and other locations (including the ALP office).
For help with completing a livestock manifest, download this guide on How to Complete the Alberta Livestock Manifest(pdf).
Sales Transactions
When sheep are sold, the transaction must be documented in writing through either a bill of sale prepared by the owner or a settlement statement prepared by the purchaser or a livestock dealer acting on behalf of the seller or purchaser.
The seller must disclose whether they are the owner or a livestock dealer representing the owner. Additionally, the owner is required to provide a written livestock security interest declaration to the purchaser or the livestock dealer acting on their behalf. This declaration can be included on the livestock manifest or submitted as a separate form.
Remember: Before transporting sheep and lambs:
- Ensure they are properly tagged with an approved CSIP ear tag
- Ensure they are fit for transport – Download the Humane Handling Guidelines for Sheep
- Know federal (Health of Animals Regulations Part XII: Transportation of Animals) and provincial (Animal Protection Regulations) legal requirements regarding livestock transport, including loading densities, requirements for vehicles and transport times.