Livestock Criteria for becoming a member of the New Forest Marque

Livestock Criteria

Criteria	Guidance
Livestock (other than pork and poultry) must have been extensively reared and spent at least the last half of their lives within the Scheme Boundary	Extensively reared means land must be stocked at low densities. This is a maximum of 1.8 livestock units to 1 hectare. 1 livestock unit is the equivalent to 1 full-grown cow, 3 deer, 5 pigs over 100kgs each, 10 sheep etc. Where an animal is taken out of the New Forest Marque boundary for part of it's life it may still be eligible for the scheme e.g. a calf that is born and raised outside of the boundary but that has been the property of a New Forest Marque member and spent the last 12 months of its life could still carry the New Forest Marque.
- All animals should be subject to good husbandry and welfare at all times. - Diets should contain only products, which are permitted by law to be fed to livestock and should be free from contamination. - All Animals should be treated and handled in such a way as to avoid injury and minimise stress. - All animals must be transported in a way, which meets the requirements of current legislation. - All animals must be transported in a way, which meets the requirements of current legislation. - All farm movement records, as required by legislation, must be kept up to date. Where livestock is not subject to this legislation (e.g. poultry), their movements must still be traceable. - All animals should have access to sufficient clean water at all times	These criteria relate to laws on Farm Animal Welfare. Detailed guidance can be found in the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 of Codes of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock. Free copies can be obtained from: DEFRA Publications, ADMAL 6000, LONDON, SW1A 2XX Tel 08459 556000
Withdrawal periods for veterinary medicines must be strictly adhered to.	New Forest Produce Ltd requires producers to keep records of any drugs that are given to their livestock. Adhering to withdrawal periods helps reduce the chemical residues in food for human consumption.
All livestock producers should have a veterinary named practice.	Producers are required if requested to name the veterinary practice that prescribes drugs for their livestock.
New Forest Free Range Beef Cattle should be fed a minimum of 80% New Forest produced fodder, and turned out on the Open Forest for at least 4 months of the year and owned by a current New Forest Marque Member.	Please maintain proof of your compliance with the New Forest Countryside Stewardship Scheme or a letter from a New Forest Agister confirming that your cattle have been turned out for 4 months. You may be asked to prove these and your feed records may be checked to ensure that 80% of fodder is produced in the New Forest.
New Forest Beef Cattle should be fed a minimum of 80% New Forest produced fodder, and grazed within the Scheme Boundary for at least 6 months of the year and owned by a current New Forest Marque Member.	Your movement records may be checked to provide proof that your cattle have been grazed within the Boundary for 6 months of the year. Your feed records may be checked to ensure that 80% of fodder is produced in the New Forest.
New Forest Free Range Lamb Lambs should be fed a minimum of 80% New Forest produced fodder, and grazed within the Scheme Boundary for at least the last half of their lives and owned by a current New Forest Marque Member	Your movement records may be checked to provide proof that your sheep have been grazed within the Boundary for at least the last half of their lives. Your feed records may be checked to ensure that 80% of fodder is produced in the New Forest.
New Forest Pork Pigs must have spent at least the last half of their lives within the Scheme Boundary and owned by a current New Forest Marque Member. Whenever possible pigs should be fed on a locally sourced diet.	Your movement records may be checked to provide proof that your pigs have spent at least the last half of their lives within the Boundary. You may be asked to demonstrate that you have, wherever possible, fed a locally sourced diet.
New Forest Pannage Pork Pigs must have spent at least the last half of their lives within the Boundary and owned by a current New Forest Marque Member. Pigs must be Agister marked and turned out on the New Forest for the designated pannage season set by the Agisters. Whenever possible pigs should be fed on a locally sourced diet.	Please maintain proof of your compliance with the New Forest Countryside Stewardship Scheme or a letter from a New Forest Agister confirming that your pigs have been turned out on the Forest for a minimum period of 60 days. You may be asked to prove these and to demonstrate that you have, wherever possible, fed a locally sourced diet.