Legislation

Cattle Tagging Legislation
Sheep and Goat Tagging Legislation find out more
Sheep and Goat Tagging in Northern Ireland
A guide to tagging animals for export

New Sheep and Goat Double-Tagging Rules

Q. Why is double-tagging being introduced?

A. European legislation has required it since July 2005. The UK initially obtained a derogation which allowed us to keep our national system. However we lost this in the summer, due
largely to poor compliance with the rules, and we are now having to introduce double-tagging

Q. When will double-tagging be introduced?

A. The target date for the new legislation is 11th January 2008. Any animal born after 11th January 2008 or not yet officially identified by this date, should be tagged according to the new rules.

Q. What happens to the identification of Older Animals?

A. Animals that have been identified before 11th January 2008 with an Official UK tag* can continue to be identified with a single ear tag.
Q. Will double-tagging apply to all animals?

A. No. Only animals which are NOT intended for slaughter within the UK by 12 months of age need to be double-tagged. All other animals can still be single-tagged.
Q. Must the two tags be identical?

A. The identification numbers on the two tags must be identical, when first applied. However, the style or colour of the two tags may be different.
Q. Which ears should the two tags be applied to?

A. We advise that one tag should be applied to each ear. Advice on tagging can be found on the DEFRA website, at http://defraweb/animalh/id-move/sheep-goats/tagging.htm
Q. Will tattoos still be allowed?

A. Although we refer to “double-tagging”, tattoos are allowed as a secondary means of identification. This means that, provided an animal has one tag, the second means of identification can be a tattoo. However the tattoo must be in the *Official UK format*.

Q. How do I identify animals intended for slaughter?

A. Animals which are intended for domestic slaughter within 12 months of age, either directly or indirectly, may be identified by a single Official UK tag* which must be applied within six months of birth for intensively reared animals or within 9 months of birth for extensively reared animals, or before movement off the holding, whichever is the soonest.
Q. If slaughter animals reach 12 months of age will they need to be double tagged?

A. If you keep a single-tagged animal which has reached 12 months of age, then you must double-tag the animal. The keeper can choose to apply an additional UK tag with an identical number or two new UK tags with a different number which must be cross referenced in the holding register with the number on the original single tag. (Note: if a new pair are applied the single tag should NOT be cut out, removed or defaced in any way).

Q. What are the rules for replacement identification for double tagged animals?

A. Lost or damaged tags for double tagged animals must be replaced within 28 days of the loss or damage being detected by an identical tag/replica tag, OR (if the animal is on its birth
holding) another UK tag, OR (if the animal is not on its birth holding) a red R tag. When a red R is applied, the full number of the R tag and the remaining tag must be cross referenced in the holding register. Whenever any replacement tag is applied (whatever type), a record should be made in the replacement
section of the holding register (columns 1-3). It will be an offence for animals to leave a holding without the correct identification.
Q. What are the rules for replacement identification for single tagged animals?

A. Lost or damaged tags for single tagged animals (those tagged before January 2008 and slaughter animals born during or after
January 2008) must be replaced within 28 days of loss or amage being detected. The same rules apply as above

Q. Can management information still be used?

A. Yes. Management information can continue to be used provided it comes after the official number and is separated so
as not to be confused with the official number. This can be achieved by using adequate space, -, /, etc.
Q. Can keepers choose different colours for their ear tags?

A. Yes. Keepers can use any colour except Red, as this is used for replacement tags.

Q. Will movement tags (S tags) still be required?

A. No. S movement tags will no longer be necessary for any animals moved after the new legislation takes effect. If an S tag is lost from an animal born prior to January 2008 it does not
have to be replaced. Therefore you should ensure you don’t order stocks you won’t need after the introduction of the new rules in January.
Q. Will S baseline tags still be required?

A. No. Under the new rules, animals which are not already identified with an individual number must be double-tagged. If an animal is identified with an S Baseline tag prior to
11th January 2008 the animal can be moved without any further identification. Therefore you should ensure you don’t order stocks you won’t need after the introduction of the new rules in January.


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Sheep and Goat Tagging in Northern Ireland (Questions & Answers)

When do I tag sheep?
 
All sheep born on your farm on or after 9th July 2005 must be tagged with a green tag (the Natal Tag) in the left ear by either
  • 9 months of age ; or
  • before moving off the holding.
Whichever is soonest.
 
Sheep born before the 9th July 2005 do not need to be tagged unless they are being moved off the holding, in which case a green tag should be applied to the left ear.
 
 
Do I tag sheep brought onto my holding?
 
Yes.  Any sheep purchased should be tagged with a green tag in the right ear either;
 
  1. before moving off your holding, or
  2. by 12 months of arrival on the holding, whichever is soonest.
This tag is referred to as the Movement Tag.
 
What happens for sheep moving off a third holding.
 
Sheep which have already undergone two movements should bear one official tag in each ear.  Such occasions should be rare but if these animals undergo a further move, the next green movement tag in sequence may be applied to the right ear as the animal moves off the third holding.
 
What if a sheep loses its Natal Tag on my holding?
 
If an animal loses its Natal Tag while in the natal flock a new tag must be applied i.e the next green tag in sequence.  If an animal loses its Natal tag in the second or subsequent holding and a Movement Tag has been applied you do not need to apply any further tags.
 
What if a sheep loses its Movement Tag?
 
If  an animal loses its Movement Tag , a Replacement Tag must be applied i.e the next green tag in sequence.  You must record the this new number in the Flock Register but you do not have to correlate the new number with the previous one.
 
What if my animal loses both its tags?
 
Where an animal loses ALL approved ear tags from both left and right ears you must attach an orange approved ear tag to its left ear.  This tag is referred to as the Total Replacement Tag.  Any animal with an orange eartag will not be allowed to be exported.  This also applies where an animal loses its Natal Tag in the second holding and no Movement Tag has been applied ( i.e. when the animal has been in the second holding less than 12 months).
 
 
 
What are the tagging requirements for sheep going to Great Britain?
 
Sheep going to GB can move with one tag only.  The sheep must be accompanied by its Movement Document and/or Market Dispatch Document and Export Health Certificate.
 
 
What must I do for sheep going to another member state, including the Republic of Ireland?
 
All sheep going to the Republic of Ireland, including directly from the holding of birth must have at least two tags, (a blue export tag and one or more green tags).  These tags do not need to be identical.  The animal may have a green natal tag in its left ear and one or more green movement tags in its right ear.  In addition to these green tags the sheep must have a blue Export tag applied to its left ear.  You must document the details in the accompanying Health Certificate.
 
Information correct as of December 2005.
Please check our Links section for the latest information from your local government department.
 
 

Cattle Tagging Legislation

 
  • All cattle born or imported into Great Britain from 1st January 1998 are required to be double tagged.
  • All cattle must be tagged within 20 days of birth.  In the case of dairy herds, the first tag must be inserted within 36 hours.
  • One tag must be a ministry approved primary tag; the other can be a ministry approved secondary tag. Each animal must have both a primary and a secondary tag.
  • All ministry approved primary tags are yellow plastic, two piece tags and distance readable.
  • The secondary tag may be of the same type as the primary or alternatively of another type on the Defra list.  There is no minimum size requirement on secondary tags, so button tags or metal tags may be used.
  • If a tag is lost or illegible, it must be replaced.  Lost tags fitted to animals born or imported after 1 January 1998 can only be replaced with a tag bearing the same number, as the animal must retain its unique number for life.
 For animals born before 1 January 1998 you may:
  1. Apply a single replacement tag bearing the same number.
  2. Apply a new single tag bearing a new number.  With this option the farm records must be amended and if the animal has a passport it must be sent to the BCMS for amendment; or,
  3. Apply a new set of double tags.  With this option, as above, the farm records must be amended and the passport sent to BCMS for amendment.  Subsequent replacements must bear the same number.

 A guide to tagging animals for export

 

Exporting of Sheep & Goats

Key Points:
 
  • With immediate effect sheep and goats intended for export, must now be identified with two identical holding of birth ear tags.
  • The use of X tags is no longer a valid form of identification.

Exporting of Cattle

We are now supplying Barcoded Cattle tags, for farmers who wish to export cattle.
 
It is the responsibility of the farmer/exporter to ensure they meet the tagging requirements of the country to which the animals are being exported. Farmers will not be penalised by DEFRA for using a barcoded tag on an animal that remains in Great Britain.
 
Key Points:
  • The farmer/exporter must identify the tagging requirements of the country to which he is exporting.
  • If the country to which the farmer is exporting requires one tag to be barcoded, it must be a  Primary.  If the country requires two tags with barcodes, both the Primary and Secondary tags would be barcoded.
  • Barcoded tags are available in Dalesman Large and Stockman Large.
  •  Barcoded Replacements are available and will be issued as a primary.
  • Alternatively, in circumstances where animals are already double tagged and require one tag to be barcoded, DEFRA advise inserting a “management tag”, containing the animal number and barcode (to allow cross referencing with the official tag). No crown logo will be printed. 
  • In exceptional cases where an animal is already double tagged and requires two tags to be barcoded, the Ministry advise inserting two “management tags”, containing the animal number and barcode (to allow cross referencing with the official tag). No crown logo will be printed.

Remember

It is the farmer`s responsibility to ensure his animals are tagged in accordance with the legislation, and the country to which the animal is being exported.
 
All information in this guide is, to the best of our knowledge, correct at time of printing, February 2007. However, details are subject to change and therefore Ritchey plc cannot be held responsible for incorrect information or advice.
 
 
 
All information is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing, February 2007.  However, details are subject to change and therefore Ritchey plc cannot be held responsible for incorrect information or advice.  Please refer to DEFRA “Guidance for keepers in England” If your require any further assistance, contact DEFRA on: 08459 335577 or Please check our Links section for the latest information from your local government department.