Animal welfare

Within North Yorkshire there are approximately 6,500 stockholders, 19 livestock sales per week and millions of animals being sold throughout the year so the enforcement of the Animal Health Act 1981 is a high priority for our service.

Duties for the Animal Health Unit within North Yorkshire County Council include:

• monitoring the welfare of livestock on the farm
• monitoring the welfare of livestock in transit, and at market
• disease control, including disposal of livestock carcases and responding to disease outbreaks such as anthrax, rabies and foot and mouth
• licensing the movement of animals and recording the movements of sheep and pigs
• identification and traceability of livestock 
• providing advice and assistance to North Yorkshire traders in relation to animal health and welfare.

Effective enforcement is seen as paramount in restoring confidence in the British agricultural system following a series of animal disease outbreaks including BSE and Foot and Mouth.

FAX numbers for Trading Standards:

01609 771696
01609 774527
01609 776349

Should you have any queries, please contact the Service on 0845 3301221.