Sheep and goat annual inventory form: frequently asked questions
Guidance on completing your sheep and goat annual inventory form.
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1. What is the date of the Sheep and goat annual inventory?
The date of the annual inventory in Wales is 1 December.
2. When can I submit my annual inventory?
The next date you will be asked to record your sheep and/or goat numbers will be 1 December 2025. You can submit your inventory between 1 December and 31 December.
3. Can I complete the inventory online?
Yes, you can complete your Annual Inventory online by logging into your EIDCymru account at www.eidcymru.org. If you require any assistance please contact EIDCymru on 01970 636959.
Sheep and/or goat keepers who do not have an account, are encouraged to register for one. Staff at the EIDCymru bureau are happy to help you register for an online account and answer any queries you may have. They are available by telephone 01970 636959 or by email at contact@eidcymru.org.
4. Can I use my EIDCymru online account for anything else?
Yes. You can use your EIDCymru online account to:
- report and accept sheep moves online, without the need to post the paper movement licence
- check your on-farm movement records against those held by EIDCymru.
5. Will I be sent a paper form?
No, the way to submit your inventory will be via your EIDCymru online account.
We recognise this may be a change to the way in which you have previously completed your inventory, and we encourage you to contact EIDCymru as soon as possible with any queries you may have about the new process.
6. How do I complete the inventory if I am unable to register for an EIDCymru online account?
Before the inventory opens, any keeper without an EIDCymru online account will receive correspondence with a link to an EIDCymru online portal. This will enable keepers to submit their inventory directly to EIDCymru without registering for an account. If there are exceptional circumstances you are advised to contact EIDCymru. Staff at the EIDCymru bureau are happy to help you access the online portal and answer any queries you may have. They are available by telephone 01970 636959 or by email at contact@eidcymru.org.
7. I struggle with online systems. What help and support will be available?
EIDCymru will be available by telephone on 01970 636959 and will be able to support you through your options.
8. Will the information I need to provide be changing?
No, the information will be the same as in previous years. You should complete the inventory by listing the number of sheep and/or goats you own on 1 December. Please record the number of animals against each CPH where they are located on this date. This should include common land and any temporary CPH.
9. Do I need to record the Annual Inventory in my Flock Record Book? My flock book refers to the 1 January not 1 December.
Yes, you must record the number of sheep and/or goats you own on 1 December in your on-farm ‘Flock Record”. This should be a replica of what you submit on your annual inventory. A new version of the flock book is available from EIDCymru.
10. Do I have to complete the annual inventory?
Yes, all owners of sheep and/or goats are legally required to complete an Annual Inventory under the Sheep and Goats Records, Identification and Movements (Wales) Order 2015.
11. Can you use the information I supplied in my June survey return?
No. The information required in this inventory is more detailed at holding level than the June survey.
12. On 1 December I own sheep and/or goats that are away wintering/ on tack. Should I record these animals on my inventory?
Yes, if you are the owner and have moved animals off your holding for wintering/on tack, these animals must be recorded on your inventory. You should record these animals against the CPH where they are located on this date and as recorded on your movement licence.
13. On 1 December I have sheep and/or goats “on tack” on my land. Should I record these animals on my inventory?
No, you are not the owner of these animals. It is the owners responsibility to record these animals on their inventory.
14. Do I have to list all the holding numbers (CPHs) where the sheep and/or goats that I own are on 1 December?
Yes, you must list all the CPHs where you keep your sheep and/or goats on 1 December. This includes common land, temporary CPHs and CPHs of land where animals you own have moved to.
15. I use common land; how do I find its CPH number?
The common land CPH number can be obtained by contacting EIDCymru on 01970 636959. You will need to have the following information ready before you contact them:
a. name of the common
b. common land number (i.e. CL number)
You must remember to include on your annual inventory the number of sheep you own that are grazing common land on 1 December. (This figure may differ to the number of sheep you have registered grazing rights for).
16. I have been asked to complete an inventory, but I do not keep sheep and/or goats. Do I need to complete an inventory?
Yes. According to EIDCymru you are still a sheep and/or goat keeper. Your CPH has been used for sheep and/or goat movements during the last year.
If you no longer keep sheep and/or goats, you must de-register as a sheep keeper by contacting Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on 0300 3038268.
17. I have de-registered myself as a keeper, but I’ve been asked to complete an inventory. Should I complete it?
Yes. Your CPH has been used for sheep and/or goat movements during the last year. These movements may have occurred before you de-registered as a keeper.
18. I keep my sheep and/or goats as pets. Am I required to complete the inventory?
Yes, these regulations apply to all sheep and goat keepers, and you are legally required to complete an inventory.
19. I do not keep sheep and/or goats, but I do keep llamas and/or alpacas. How does this legislation affect me?
These regulations only apply to sheep and goats (Ovine and Caprine species). Llamas, alpacas and other livestock are not covered by this legislation.
20. Can I leave completing my inventory until the end of December 2024?
We encourage you to complete your inventory as early as possible after 1 December, and to take advantage of the support that is available.
21. What information do I need to gather before I complete my inventory?
The information required has not changed from previous years. You must record the number of sheep and/or goats you own on 1 December. There is a checklist on the website for you to use as a guide.