This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Sheep and goat tagging
06/07/2005
The European Commission has today given temporary approval for the continuation of the UK system for sheep and goat identification.
Keepers will be able to continue with the current system of single baseline, movement and replacement tags instead of applying double tags to all sheep and goats born after July 9, 2005. Double tags will only be required for export animals born after this date.
Welcoming the announcement, Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie said:
"Agreement follows an inspection by representatives of the Commission's Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (Scofcah) earlier this year.
"It is important that sheep and goat keepers comply fully with both the current and revised identification and traceability system as the inspectors will re-visit in early 2006 to ensure full compliance.
"Failure to comply could lead to our derogation being withdrawn and double tagging introduced.
"A consultation into minor changes needed to reflect EU requirements will begin in the next few weeks. The Scottish Executive will write to all keepers in the autumn explaining the revised system in full."
The European Regulation 21/2004 introducing double tagging comes into force on July 9, 2005.
The United Kingdom applied for derogation (exemption) from the regulations in order to keep the current single tagging system which, we believe, provides greater traceability.
Only minor issues were identified as needing remedial action and these will be introduced in early autumn. Some minor changes will be applied to the current system this autumn to ensure it satisfies EC requirements.