UK to monitor pig movements with electronic recording

Electronic recording of pig movements will become law in the UK in October 2011, with the existing Pigs, Records, Identification and Movements Order 2007 amended by the government to reflect the need for pre-notification of movements.
The new system is expected to provide the industry with a realistic herd register containing accurate and timely information to enable better communication and control in the event of disease outbreak. In addition, when pigs are sent to slaughter, the system will combine the movement licence and Food Chain Information form in one and save producers time.  
There will be a transitional period of six months for the phasing out of the paper-based AML2 forms from October 1 to give producers and businesses the opportunity to adjust to the change in process. “From April 2012 the AML2 paper forms will cease to be a valid method of reporting movements," said Dorothea Schiemann of the British Pig Executive. "Pig movements will either have to be reported using the free eAML2 online service or the free eAML2 bureau service. There will also be third-party agents, such as marketing groups or the British Pig Association."