Sheep & Goats
The new rules regarding the identification of sheep and goats was introduced on 31 December 2009 and replaced all existing arrangements for sheep and goats. This system was introduced in order to comply with Council Regulation (EC) 21/2004. The Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order (NI) 2009 has been made and came into operation on 31 December 2009.
The objective of the system is to ensure full traceability of all sheep and goats in Northern Ireland, particularly in the event of a major disease outbreak.
A summary of the system is as follows:
- All sheep moving off the holding after 1 June 2010 must be identified with two identifiers bearing the same number, one of which must carry an EID device. This includes movement to shows and exports, and applies both to lambs born this year and older sheep.
- Ear tags should be ordered in advance of them being needed, and sufficient stock of tags should be maintained on the holding, this should include a stock of red replacement tag sets.
- Animals born after 31 December 2009 do not have to be tagged until they are nine months old or are being moved off the holding, whichever is the earlier. The new EID tags, which will be yellow, will therefore not be needed for them until this point.
- Existing green tags cannot be applied to animals after 31 December 2009.
- Keepers should now be using their new Movement Document Book (SG2).and Flock or Herd Register (SG3).
- A movement document must be completed each time sheep are moved, but if the sheep are moving to a market or meat plant approved as a Central Point of Recording (CPR), tag numbers do not need to be recorded. The CPR will provide the keeper with a list of tag numbers, which he/she must retain with their copy of the movement document. It is also the responsibility of the keeper to check the accuracy of documents given to them by a CPR and, if necessary, to seek correction if they are incomplete or inaccurate. If the CPR cannot resolve the query, keepers should contact their DARD Regional Office to notify them of the discrepancy.
- Goat keepers will have to comply with the same recording requirements as flock-keepers but they will not have to apply an EID tag.
- Any slaughter tagged lambs, born after 31 December 2009, coming to the North from Britain will have to be upgraded to full EID before they leave Britain.
- Keepers will retain their existing flock or herd number. Each flock/herd number will have the digit ‘’1’’ placed in front of it, so that all sheep and goat tag numbers in the north will begin with “17”.
- There are a number of options available when applying replacement tags depending on the age and origin of the animal and these rules are covered in more detail in the guidance booklet. Where the animal is no longer on the holding of birth replacement tags must be red EID tag set. However, if replacement tag information is notified to APHIS-online, only yellow EID tag sets are required.
- Keepers will have the option of using a paperless system of traceability by providing their information electronically through APHIS-Online.
