Livestock movements, identification and tracing: sheep and goats - identification
Rules for identifying your sheep and goats
All sheep and goats must have a Defra-approved eartag applied in one ear with a unique numeric identification number, which must start with UK, followed by the 6-digit flock/herdmark of the holding of birth, followed by a unique number for the animal (up to 6 digits). The tag must be fitted within 9 months of birth if the animal is regularly housed outside or, if not, within 6 months and, in any event, before the animal leaves the birth holding. The tag must be visible from a distance and can be any colour, except red.
Animals born prior to 9 July 2005 will be identified in a number of different ways. Some may have tattoos rather than eartags. Holding of birth tags were introduced in 2000 but with only a flock/herd mark. Individual animals numbers were only introduced in 2002.
Animals born prior to 2002 and which are not on their birth holding may not have an individually numbered holding of birth tag. Before these animals can be moved the keeper should apply an S baseline tag which bears the letter "S", followed by the keeper's flock/herd mark, followed by an individual number. The S baseline tag ensures the animal is uniquely identified but indicates that the birth holding is unknown.
Lost or illegible tags must be replaced as soon as possible and, in any case, within 28 days of the loss or damage being noticed. If the animal is still on its birth holding, the keeper can replace the tag with an identical tag or with another holding of birth tag with a different individual number. If the animal is not on its birth holding the keeper should replace the tag with an identical tag (if possible) or with a red "R" tag (replacement tag).
Before an animal leaves any holding it should have a tag with the flock or herd mark of that holding. Animals can therefore leave their birth holding with their holding of birth tag. However, if the animal is to move again the keeper must apply a movement tag which bears the letter S followed by the flock/herd mark of the holding it is about to leave. The movement tag will not have an individual animal number. The same applies to the next move the animal makes – a further movement tag should be applied. However, once an animal has three official tags, further tags cannot be applied for welfare reasons. To make further movements, the keeper must then record the full individual identification number of the animal in his holding register and in the movement document. If the keeper does not wish to apply an "S" tag for an earlier movement, they can instead record the animal’s full number in the holding register and the movement document.
There are certain moves that are exempt from movement tags, e.g.:
- return moves back to the home holding from temporary grazing
- return moves from dipping and shearing or from common land
- moves to and from a veterinary clinic
Lost or illegible "S" tags should be replaced as soon as possible with an identical tag, if the tag number is known. Replacement "S" tags should be replaced within 28 days of the loss or damage being noticed.
Sheep and goats imported from other EU Member State retain their original eartags. Unless these animals are were born in the Republic of Ireland they will be double-tagged. When these subsequently move within the UK they do not require "S" tags, but their full identification numbers must be recorded in the holding registers and in the movement documents. Animals imported from outside the EU (and not going straight to slaughter) must be tagged within 14 days at the first UK holding with an "F" tag (letter F + flock/herd mark + individual animal number). If these animals make subsequent movements, "S" tags are required.
Identification for intra-Community trade
Council Regulation (EC) No 21/2004 requires that all animals born after 9 July 2005 that are sent to other EU Member States must be "double-tagged". This was subsequently extended to include all animals, regardless of age.
Since previous guidance was issued in November 2005, the European Commission has made it clear that all sheep and goats for intra-Community trade (trade between EU Member States) must be tagged with two identical holding of birth tags. The second “match-up” tag should be applied at the holding of departure, just prior to leaving the UK. In the case of animals exported via an assembly centre the application of the “match-up” tag must occur at the holding from which the animals are sent to the assembly centre.
For more information, please contact the Defra helpline on 08459 335577.
Further reading
(460 KB) Page last modified:
8 August, 2007
Page published: 12 February, 2007