What’s changing?
Up until now a farmer declaration has satisfied the requirements, but from December 13th 2023, changes in EU Legislation mean that producers will require a Veterinary Attestation. This will certify that an annual on-farm visit has taken place to verify the absence of notifiable diseases and provide general advice on farm biosecurity.
The Vet will provide the producer with a unique Veterinary Attestation Number, known as a “VAN”, within their certificate.
Note: A VAN number is not required if vendors are members of a qualifying assurance scheme.
What is the “VAN” number?
The Veterinary Attestation Number, known as “VAN”, is a unique reference number provided by Vets to producers within their Veterinary Attestation certificate to certify that an annual on-farm visit has occurred. A VAN number is valid for 12 months. This information will need to be provided to livestock markets and onwards to buyers for livestock sold for slaughter.
The VAN number comprises 20 digits including the Vets RCVS number, the CPH number the VAN corresponds to, and the expiry date.
For example: 1234567-12/345/6789-0624
What will the process be in livestock markets?
The vendor will provide the auctioneers with their VAN before, or on arrival at the market.
For sheep, this will be included on the official sheep movement form. An updated official sheep movement form is being circulated in due course. In the meantime, vendors may include the VAN number within the FCI declaration of the current official sheep movement form or on the markets own purple sheep entry form.
For cattle, this will be provided to us on the standard cattle entry form.
For pigs, the digital eAML2 form has been updated to accommodate the VAN number.
At the point of sale, it will be necessary for auctioneers to make buyers aware if livestock will not qualify for export, either live or in carcase form (if a valid VAN number or evidence of membership of a qualifying assurance scheme has not been presented)
Following the sale, the relevant VAN/Farm Assurance number will be printed next to each lot on the purchaser’s sales invoice, which can be provided to the abattoir vet if requested. In addition, the VAN number will also be printed on the vendor’s sales statement for reference.
Note: It is optional for vendors to acquire a VAN Number. It is not essential for the sale of your livestock and is your own choice.
We will offer all livestock with or without a VAN Number. However in some cases, with finished lambs in particular, livestock sold without a VAN may achieve lower prices.
Does membership of an assurance scheme or AHWP automatically qualify?
Yes. Farms that are part of qualifying assurance schemes do not need to complete the veterinary declaration. Membership of these farm assurance schemes is accepted as evidence that the premises of origin meet the requirement for regular health visits from a vet.
The only qualifying scheme for England is Red Tractor.
In addition, membership of the Animal Health & Welfare Pathway (AHWP) (England only) will qualify. Members of the AHWP will be provided with a VAN by their Vet.
Is a VAN number required for all livestock?
No. A VAN is only required for livestock sold for slaughter from the consigning holding.
However, whilst a VAN is not required for store or breeding stock, if buyers within store sales are purchasing livestock to be sent directly to slaughter, VAN numbers will be required for those lots even though they have been purchased from a store sale.
Does a VAN number cover more than one holding?
The VAN issued by the vet on the Veterinary Attestation certificate will include the producer’s main holding number. However, the VAN provided to the producer covers all linked holdings to which the producer has business connections.
If livestock is consigned to the market from a temporary holding or other, the main farm holding number should be used within the VAN provided to the market.
Is there a minimum residency period for the last holding?
The requirement for a VAN applies only to the last holding of residence, regardless of the length of time livestock have spent on the last holding.
If you have any further queries or would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
