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Livestock movements, identification and tracing: Sheep

Electronic Identification for Sheep:

19 May 2009: Report by ADAS on the Training Needs to Support the Implementation of Electronic Identification of Sheep in England (PDF 2MB)

31 March 2009: Consultation on the implementation of Electronic Identification for Sheep and Individual recording for sheep and goats.

13 March 2009: Market Road Shows start Friday 13th March and run until 11th May 2009, come and talk to Defra staff about Electronic Identification in Sheep.

13 March 2009: New Electronic Identification Leaflet for Sheep (PDF, 240KB) has been published.

28 January 2009: News release: Newly Negotiated Sheep EID Rules (announcement on slaughter derogation).

When Electronic identification (EID) for sheep comes into force on 31 December 2009 the slaughter derogation will provide for animals intended for slaughter within 12 months of age not to be electronically identified.  Animals subject to this derogation would be identified with a single batch tag (ie with no individual number) and would not be subject to the individual recording requirements. They would continue to be moved and recorded on a batch basis.

Defra plans to consult on the implementation of the new rules and the use of the Slaughter Derogation in the Spring. 

Double Tagging Rules for Sheep and Goats

Rules for sheep and goat identification were introduced on 11 January 2008. All registered keepers were sent full guidance on the 4 January 2008. Electronic copies are available below. These rules will remain in place until Electronic identification (EID) is implemented from 31 December 2009.

New rules for sheep and goat identification were introduced on 11 January 2008. All registered keepers were sent full guidance on the 4 January 2008. Electronic copies are available below.

Paperless registration of pet keepers

There are increasing numbers of people who keep one or two animals as pets, for example pot bellied pigs, who find they need to comply with animal movement legislation and therefore require a CPH number. In the past they have had to go through the same procedure as our other customers to register with us. However this has now changed.

For those customers who are only keeping animals as pets and do not take part in any of the schemes administered by the RPA or for which RPA make payment, registration can be completed over the phone and a CReg 01 will not need to be completed.  This new procedure will start on the 1 August 2008.

Livestock movements

Prior to any movement the owner/keeper shall inspect sheep and goats to be moved for signs of foot and mouth disease. If any evidence of such disease is found it must be notified without delay to the Divisional Veterinary Manager (DVM) of the local Animal Health Divisional Office.

All sheep and goat movements must be accompanied by a completed AML movement document. Sheep and goat movement must be reported by the recipient of the animals to the Local Authority within three days of the movement taking place, using the appropriate AML form.

Flock/herd register

All sheep and goat keepers in the UK are required to keep a flock/herd register (PDF). This record may be kept on paper or electronically. Keepers can determine their own method for maintaining the record (book, file, spreadsheet) but must ensure that the information recorded is in the same format and order as the register above.


Identification and tracing

 

Page last modified: 19 May, 2009

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs