| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| Tensing |
Goat WalkingI have read a lot on taking goats out for walks. As the soon to be new owner of a pair of pygmy goats I am trying to find out what are the rules about this, as I would very muck like to be able to walk them to the nearby common land for grazing. Can anybody tell me do you walk your goats (outside of your land)? and do you need a licence/movement order etc?Thank you in advance. |
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| lottie |
Pretty sure todays regulations mean you can no longer graze the long acre | ||
| lottie |
Pretty sure todays regulations mean you can no longer graze the long acre | ||
| Tensing |
Wasn't sure, even DEFRA's site is not that clear. | ||
| Blue Peter |
What's "the long acre"? Peter. |
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| lottie |
grazing on the verges for free---often on the way to the common. we had a couple of goats as a kid and you could walk/tether them to graze the length of the lane for free----an acre that was long and narrow. | ||
| Tensing |
Just spoken to a friend at DEFRA and they think that I should be able too as long as we don't croos land with other farm animals, and do not meet any others while out. She is going to check for me. I'll let you know. | ||
| Sarah D |
I had my first visit from local Trading standards a few weeks ago, so took the opportunity to ask her; she said it was fine to take the goats out and around the lanes, and a movement would only have to be entered if the goats were taken on to another holding, then brought home again. I double checked by asking if just the lanes was Ok and she said yes. So, I understand that to be OK on public land, as long as you don't enter another holding (ie property with a holding number.livestock).
For clarification, talk to your Trading standards dept where you are registered. |
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| mochyn |
I think to graze on common land you have to be a commoner, which is a specific legal entity. | ||
| Sarah D |
Found this, which is interesting:
http://www.naturenet.net/law/commonland.html and this: http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/issues/common/index.htm |
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| alison |
You must be careful with common land where people have grazing rites, as I thinkyou then need a licence too.
We checked on this ages ago, for a friend, and in Devon they would prefer you not to do it, even along the roads, but then in this area, there are a lot more holdings with livestock. |
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| mochyn |
We have a common just over the hill from us where some of our neighbours who are commoners graze their sheep. Part of the common is a SSSI having a very rare butterfly living there.
We're so lucky living here! When I have goats I'll be taking them for walks: the verges here are particularly rich in all sorts of herbage including wild strawberries. |
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| RichardW |
Please please check out the information you are getting & GET IT IN WRITING as my understanding is that you can not walk your goat as they come under the same rules as sheep. Funnily you can walk a pig IF you have a pig walking licence but you must stick to the pre arrange / aproved route.
Justme |
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| Sarah D |
We're right in the middle of a number of farms, but she was happy to advise it was fine as long as we don't go on to the farms. |
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| lottie |
That's really useful---as I'd interpreted the regs to say I couldn't graze a goat down the lanes----I've been umming and aaaring over a couple of goats--in terms of space etc and if you can still lane graze them---I'm not short of time now---that will make my mind up to get them. | ||
| katie |
It was also my understanding that this was not allowed - but I'd be delighted to be proved wrong! | ||
| lottie |
That's what I'd thought----but logically they move cows/sheep down the lanes from one field to another or to the milking parlour so it's no different really is it? | ||
| Sarah D |
It's exactly what I was told to my face, and I would assume it's the same all over the country, but to be doubly sure, give the Trading Standards a ring with your specific circumstances. | ||
| katie |
lottie, since when did logic have anything to do with a DEFRA decision? Come now!
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| RichardW |
Only short distances & must be from one part of the holding to another. Also they are supposed to clean up all & any mess. Bit different to just going for a wander. Justme |
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| marigold |
A bit off-topic, but this thread reminded me of a hilarious evening walk I had with friends in Devon a few years back. We were on a footpath which went through a field with a couple of loose goats in it. The goats very determinedly started to "see off" my friends (thinking about it I don't think they found the incident as funny as I did  ). The goats were utterly uninterested in me, but kept on "rounding up" my friends. I don't think they were really aggressive, but I couldn't shoo them off and they were so persistent that we had to give up the walk and get out of the field.
Is that typical goat behaviour? |
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| Tensing |
Thank you eveyone |