Hi readers, would like to know if anyone has got tangled-up with problems concerning registration as a farmer. As far as I can make out, you can only sell a certain, small number of livestock per year, or you have to register as a farmer, not only do the necessary paper work, but pay a lot of taxes as well.
We are getting a retirement pension from UK and wanted to live in France, but as retired farmers in Uk wanted to keep a few cattle, to sell for dairies not meat, as a hobby only. Has anyone else been down this route and can offer advice?

Hi peut-etre

Are you already in France? We are beef/cereal farmers in the Loire Valley, dept 41, farming close to 200 hectares so have to have a Siret number, numero de cheptel, right to exploit, etc etc.
I would suggest you contact the Chambre d'Agriculture in your department as although we are under EU regs there may be some variations in departments.
You will be pleased to know that they are in no way related to Defra/ RPA or the like, they are extremely helpful and are on your side, so don't be afraid to ask them!
We are holding our breath as we think we may be due an inspection shortly but from past experience know that they are not trying to make our life difficult or grab back the primes. Last time we had three of four untagged sheep in the "garden" behind the house, the ch d'agric folk didn't bat an eyelid, oh, they said, they are for your own use, not interested! Having experienced inspections in the UK we were amazed
One of the reasons we now farm in France

Sue

thanks for the reply. no, we are not in France yet, just ready to roll. Is there such a thing as a "hobby farmer" status? For example is someone had a couple of mares and wanted to sell the yearlings from them. Is this OK without a lot of registration? I'm talking mainly about the larger animals, not chickens etc., but surely the same would apply in horses, cattle and sheep?