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;
before moving off your holding, or
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.
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