To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what penalties may be imposed upon livestock owners who do not register livestock with his Department as required. (210044)

Cattle are the only livestock whose birth, movements and death must be individually registered by their keepers. In English law the requirement to register is set out in the Cattle Identification Regulations 2007 (as amended). If a case is heard in a magistrates court the penalty for failing to comply with the provisions of these regulations is a maximum fine of £5,000 or three months in prison or both. If the case is heard in a Crown court offenders may receive a sentence of up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.