ScotEID works closely with the Scottish livestock sector & Scottish Government to design, develop and deliver solutions to ensure robust traceability and minimise legislative difficulties.
Scottish sheep, pig & cattle keepers can register with ScotEID in order to meet or minimise current legislative requirements.
To help Scottish farmers and crofters tackle the anxiety of admin backlogs, agricultural charity RSABI is trialing a new, confidential support service specifically for cattle registration worries.
Read the full article below👇
How to use it: Call RSABI’s free 24-hour helpline at 0808 1234 555 (it won't show up on your phone bill) or email helpline@rsabi.org.uk to request a specialist callback.
You can also contact ScotEID (01466 794323) or your local RPID office directly for early guidance.
New Service Offering Cattle Registration Guidance
Farmers or crofters who are anxious about their cattle registrations, for a variety of reasons, are being offered a new service organised by contacting agricultural charity, RSABI.
The service, which is being launched on a six-month trial basis from June, will see farmers and crofters being able to request confidential advice and guidance from an independent cattle registration specialist, simply by calling the charity’s 24 hour helpline – 0808 1234 555 – or emailing helpline@rsabi.org.uk.
The aim is to encourage farmers who may find themselves struggling with any aspect of cattle registrations to seek help and advice at as early a stage as possible, before things start to spiral into greater difficulties.
“It is estimated that around 25% of Scottish farmers are dyslexic and this is one of a number of reasons that people can struggle with keeping cattle registrations up to date,” said Carol McLaren, Chief Executive of RSABI.
Holding registers for cattle and sheep are available to download from the following links:
The team from Digital Dairy Chain and SRUC are hosting an event in Dumfries and Galloway showcasing their work in cow welfare.
Using technology and observations across farms in the region has helped them understand more about animal welfare in an automated way, allowing a better understanding of herd health and dynamics. Information on the behaviour and welfare of a farmer’s herd will help them to make better informed management decisions for their cows. Cows with improved welfare tend to have improved health, saving on costs associated with disease and injury, as well as supporting higher milk production, making a farm more financially resilient.
The event will be in a walk and talk format, and you will hear about:
Lunch will be provided.
Sign up: Digital Dairy Chain Events or email info@digitaldairychain.co.uk
A new assessment (APHA Report #40) has confirmed that African Swine Fever (ASF) remains an evolving threat to the Scottish pig industry. With the virus re-emerging in previously "clean" areas of Germany and ongoing outbreaks in Spain, Scottish keepers are urged to review their biosecurity and contingency plans immediately.
The Scottish Government updated its biosecurity guidance on March 27, 2026, emphasizing that "human-mediated" spread is the single biggest threat to our national herd.
Scottish Government have now closed the Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory for 2025; no further amendments or submissions are being accepted.
The inventory was open from 1 December 2025 until midnight on 30 January 2026.
From 1st February 2026 - Mandatory BVD testing for all calves born to dams that were moved onto the holding during pregnancy.
If an in-calf heifer or cow moves onto your holding, its calf must be BVD antigen/virus tested and the result uploaded before it is 40 days old, or before it is moved off the holding – whichever occurs first. This requirement applies to calves born on or after 1st February 2026. These calves cannot leave the herd without an individual antigen/virus BVD negative status.
Failure to test these calves within the required timescale, will result in the holding status being downgraded to Not Negative (or Positive if a Persistently Infected animal is on the holding).
The most cost-effective way of BVD testing young calves is by tissue tagging.
• Order BVD management tags in advance
• Send samples to the lab promptly
• Max three tags advised per animal
Please note the above is in addition to your routine testing requirements.
From 1st February 2026 - Further restrictions for breeding herds that have not completed the Compulsory BVD Investigation (CBI) within the required 13 months of entering:
• Cattle movement/s onto the holding will be restricted
• The CPH will be publicly listed on ScotEID
For the official guidance on the BVD eradication scheme - https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-bvd-eradication-scheme
Please note that the ScotEID website will be down for some minor system updates on Friday 23 January. The system will be unavailable between 23:50 – 01:30.
Scotland along with England, and Wales were recently recognised as BSE Negligible Risk (NR) status by the WOAH and the EU. Northern Ireland and Jersey achieved BSE NR status in 2017 and 2020 respectively. However, the Isle of Man and Guernsey do not currently have BSE NR status but are intending to apply for it.
There are currently 460 Isle of Man cattle in Scotland on 59 farms. There are also a number of cattle from the Isle of Man and Guernsey on English, and Welsh farms. These animals and their carcases require a different dressing procedure to NR cattle.
The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) have confirmed that none of their members have said they will not accept cattle from the Isle of Man. What they have pointed out is that these cattle will require to be dealt with separately from NR cattle. This adds complication and potential costs for the abattoir in handling these cattle. Keepers that have Isle of Man cattle should speak to their chosen abattoir first before consigning animals.
For more detailed information please refer to the information note that was sent out by Defra:
11/12/2025 BSE Risk status: Cattle from Guernsey and Isle of Man - Industry briefing
The ScotEID Office is open with a limited number of staff due to disruption caused by the weather. Please be patient if you are trying to call the office and if we are unable to answer your call please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you. Alternatively, please email help@scoteid.com.