Guidance

Tips to receive your passport quicker (HTML version)

Updated 4 October 2021

This guidance was withdrawn on

This page has been withdrawn because it’s out of date. For current information read Get a cattle passport.

Applies to England and Wales

© Crown copyright 2021

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cattle-passports-how-to-receive-your-passport-quicker/tips-to-receive-your-passport-quicker-html-version

Dam

The dam must:

  • be registered on the Cattle Tracing System (CTS) as female
  • be alive at the time of calving
  • have a valid calving interval

Under normal circumstances the genetic dam will be the natural mother of the calf.

In the case of embryo transfer the genetic dam will be the animal from where the embryo originated, and should be stated as Embryo Trans on your application.

The surrogate dam is the animal that gave birth to the calf and the ear-tag number should be entered. This is the only circumstance where the surrogate dam details should be completed.

Ear tag

You must double tag your calf before applying for a cattle passport. If you have any issues please contact the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) to discuss.

Breed

You need to go along the bloodline of the sire to determine the breed. See the list of official cattle breeds and codes.

Commonly confused breed codes

Use BRB or BRBX for British Blue or British Blue Cross. The Belgian Blue breed code is no longer used.

State LIM or LIMX for Limousin or Limousin Cross.

Shorthorn should be stated as one of:

  • Dairy Shorthorn (DS)
  • Beef Shorthorn (BSH)
  • Whitebred Shorthorn (WS)

Add ‘X’ to the breed code if it is a cross-bred animal.

Sire

You can enter the ear-tag number if you have the information. If you only have a name and wish this to appear on the passport, please enter no more than 14 letters.

Important

Deadline to apply for a cattle passport

You must register the calf within 27 days of birth. Applications received after this time will be refused.

Cattle Tracing System (CTS) Online

CTS Online is the easiest way to apply for cattle passports. Your information is checked before you submit it to reduce the risk of errors. To register for this free service, email bcmsenquiries@rpa.gov.uk.

Submitting your application form

Paper forms should be sent to:

British Cattle Movement Service
PO Box 301
SHEFFIELD
S95 1AB

Tell BCMS if you do not want to receive paper application forms.

Self-service line

You can also apply for a cattle passport using the CTS self-service line, an automated phone line open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 0345 011 1212, or 0345 011 1213 for the Welsh language line.

Errors on application forms

Any error must be corrected before the passport is produced. After this, the passport will need to be returned. If you realise immediately that a mistake has been made, call BCMS to ensure this is dealt with promptly.

Passport not received

You should receive your passport within 14 days of applying. If not, contact BCMS as soon as possible. If BCMS are not notified within 6 weeks of the passport being issued, a £20 replacement fee will be charged.

Please check your passport as soon as you receive it to make sure all the animal details are correct. If any details are incorrect, please return it for amendment.

Contact BCMS

BCMS helpline 0345 050 1234

Helpline for cattle keepers in Wales 0345 050 3456

Email bcmsenquiries@rpa.gov.uk

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