14 Ballinloan passports will not be reinstated, says BCMS

Passports of 14 cattle registered under the Ballinloan prefix will remain withdrawn irrespective of what British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) investigations uncover.  

This is according to a BLCS statement, in which the society confirmed the de-registration of the animals to its members.

The 14 withdrawals (see table) are because of what the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) called “errors” in animals’ dates of birth and/or pedigree.

Previously, 62 Ballinloan pedigree passports were withheld in May. In addition to the 14 animals that have been withdrawn, a further 50 Ballinloan animals remain under investigation by the BCMS. 

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Breeders that have used genetics of the 12 male and 2 female animals have been formed by the BLCS to take note of the following directives:

• The 14 animals are “de-registered” and may not be used for pedigree use.
• All descendants of these animals have been de-registered too as they no longer comply with the “three-generation” rule. The registration of such animals under 450 days of age will be reimbursed to breeders.
• Females bred by the males in the list cannot be used as “base cows” for grading up purposes. Grand progeny of these bulls can be used for grading up provided they meet wider BLCS byelaw requirements.
• Semen from these animals can only be traded and use in commercial herd and is not for pedigree breeding purposes.

For information on what to do for cattle without passports, see the Defra guidance.