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GUIDANCE FOR SCOTTISH SHEEP AND GOAT KEEPERS
Keeping sheep or goats
If you keep sheep or goats (including those as pets) you must register with your local Animal Health office.
You must register for each holding (CPH number) where you keep animals. This includes seasonal holdings as well as all your permanent holdings - not just your main holding.
If any location where you keep sheep or goats has not been allocated a CPH, please contact your local Rural Payments and Inspections Area Office to obtain one.
If you change the location (including seasonal locations) where you keep sheep or goats or you no longer permanently keep any, you must notify your local Animal Health office within 30 days.
Tagging Requirements
Sheep and Goats born after 18 January 2008 must be identified with two means of identification (two official eartags or one official eartag and a tattoo or, solely in the case of goats, one official eartag and a pastern mark) bearing the same individual number.
Older animals born prior to 18 January 2008 and not already officially identified are now also subject to the double identification requirement. However, in the case of animals born prior to 09 July 2005, this will only apply when the animals are to be moved off the holding.
The information that appears on the two means of identification will be identical, and be in the following form:
'UK' + Flock/herd mark of birth + unique individual number of 6 digits
The identification must be applied within 6 or 9 months of birth (depending on whether the animals are reared intensively (housed overnight) or extensively (not housed overnight)), or when they first move from the holding (CPH) on which they were born, whichever is the soonest.
The only exception to double tagging is for animals that are intended to be slaughtered before the age of 12 months (please see the 'Slaughter Derogation' section below).
Tags may be ordered in any colour except red, which is reserved for replacement tags ('R' tags) only. The identification mark on a red replacement tag will include the suffix 'R' and will be in the following form:
'UK' + Flock/herd mark of holding that the replacement tags are applied on + unique individual number of 6 digits + R
Keepers can ask manufacturers to put additional management information on a tag provided it does not interfere with the official number.
Lost Tags and Replacement Identification
An animal that loses an eartag must have it replaced within 28 days of discovery.
The detailed requirements for replacing tags vary depending on the type, age and location of the animal. Please refer to the replacement tagging summary table at Annex 2 to identify the correct options.
Movement, 'S' Baseline and 'F' Import Tags
From 18 January 2008, movement tags are no longer required for any animal, regardless of age. If a movement tag is lost from an animal born before 18 January 2008 then it does not have to be replaced.
S Baseline tags are also no longer required. If an older animal moves and it either has no UK tag or a UK tag without an individual number then the new double tagging requirements apply.
F tags for imported animals are no longer needed. See section on imported animals.
Slaughter Derogation
All animals intended for domestic slaughter within 12 months of age may be identified using a single UK eartag. The format of the tag is exactly the same as that for double tags.
This must be applied within 6 or 9 months of birth (depending on whether the animals are reared intensively or extensively), or when they first move from the holding on which they were born, whichever is the soonest.
Animals intended for breeding must be identified with two means of identification, even if moved off holding of birth before the age of 12 months.
Any animal that is single tagged under the slaughter derogation must have a second means of identification applied on the holding it is standing on if it reaches 12 months of age. The keeper on the holding must either -
Apply an identical match up tag, or
Apply two new means of identification (two official eartags or one official eartag and a tattoo or, solely in the case of goats, one official eartag and a pastern mark) consisting of:
'UK' + Flock/herd mark (of holding that the new tags are applied on) + unique individual number of 6 digits.
If two new means of identification are applied the keeper must cross reference this number against the original flock/herd mark in the holding register.
Live Export Identification
All animals consigned for export must be identified with two identical UK eartags. Tattoos are not permitted. If an animal, originally single tagged using the slaughter derogation, or under previous legislation, is to be sent for export then the keeper must either:
'UK' + Flock/herd mark (of holding that the new tags are applied on) + unique individual number of 6 digits.
If you are exporting a double tagged animal which has two UK tags with different numbers (because one of them has been replaced) then you must apply a third tag bearing the same identification number as one of the UK tags.
The consigning keeper will need to check with receiving importers that they will accept animals identified in this way.
Animals that are identified with red replacement tags ('R' tags) cannot be exported.
Imported Animals
Sheep and Goats imported from other EU countries will be identified with two means of identification. You do not have to re-identify these animals.
If you are the first keeper to receive animals from outside the EU you must apply two means of identification (two official eartags or one official eartag and a tattoo or, solely in the case of goats, one official eartag and a pastern mark) within 14 days of arrival and, in any event, before they leave your holding. In the holding register, you must cross-reference the new identification code applied against the code on the means of identification applied in the Non- EU country. You must inform SAMU of the import within 3 days via a movement document.
Older identified animals
Any animal correctly individually identified under previous regulation or orders will continue to be identified under those provisions with no need to re-identify the animals.
Holding Register
There are no changes to the record keeping requirements; however, as a result of consultation responses, keepers now have the option of using movement documents as part of their holding register for the recording of off movements. Further guidance will be issued in the near future.
You must maintain a register for each permanent CPH you keep animals on. This can be in the official format issued by the Scottish Government or you can keep an electronic version provided it includes all details required in the paper version in an easily readable and accessible form.
The register must contain the CPH and address of the holding, the name and address of the keeper (if different) and the type of production carried out e.g. meat, milk, wool. You must also record the following in the appropriate sections -
Moves from the location require details of the number of animals leaving, date of departure, name of the haulier and registration of the vehicle, CPH and address of the animals' next location
Moves onto the location require the date of arrival and the CPH and address of the location the animal arrived from. For moves from a market you must record the lot numbers shown on the accompanying movement document
Information on any replacement tags. See annex 2 for details of how to cross-reference replacement tags
The result of the inventory giving the number of animals on the holding at 1 January. We recommend you start a new page in the register each year
You must keep the holding register for 3 years from the date of the last entry and make it available for inspection if required. You can keep additional information in the register but this should not detract from or make it difficult for inspectors to check that you are complying with the legislative requirements. The 'Other' column in the Scottish Government issued register can be used to differentiate between categories such as lambs or ewes and record separate running totals for them.
If you have a 7000 code you must keep a register for each CPH you keep sheep or goats on.
This can be a separate book for each CPH or one book which shows the details required (including the running total) on an individual CPH basis.
Where animals move off the CPH on a temporary basis for grazing, dipping or shearing but you remain the keeper at the temporary location, you should record the details of the move off and back on (dates and CPHs) in the CPH register of the location the animals will be returning to. There is no need to keep a separate register for the temporary location. If you send animals away for grazing and you will not be the keeper at the temporary location, the keeper there must also record the move in the register at that location.
Movement Documents (MD)
You should continue to use movement documents (MDs) as at present. Therefore, all movements from a holding in Scotland (except those for emergency veterinary treatments) must be accompanied by a Scottish movement document or a market equivalent. See annex 1 for summary.
Please note that new movement documents will be issued in due course, together with detailed guidance on how to use them.
Reporting Movements
It is essential for identification and traceability purposes, particularly in times of disease outbreak, that movement information is sent to SAMU accurately and timeously.
There are no changes to movement reporting requirement. Therefore, all movements must be reported to SAMU by the receiving keeper (except for moves through a market (see below) within 3 days of the move being completed by either fax, e-mail or post (forwarding the white copy) using the contact details at the end of this guidance.
All movements between two holdings with different CPH numbers (whether permanent or seasonally held) must be notified even if they are within the same business. The exception to this is where keepers operate their business procedures under the 5-mile derogation rules (contact your local Rural Payments and Inspections Area Office for more details as required).
Movements through a Scottish Market or to a Scottish Abattoir will be reported electronically by the Market or Abattoir, using the information you supplied on the MD.
If you are a keeper responsible for moving animals from a Market, you must provide Market staff with the destination details (incl CPH) of where the animals are moving directly to. This may be different to the address you supply to the Market for invoicing purposes. This information will be entered on the Market MD and the Market will pass this information electronically to SAMU.
If the animals are leaving Great Britain (i.e. to Northern Ireland or to another Member State), the keeper at the departure location must report the move to SAMU within 3 days.
Reporting Moves to Shows
Keepers moving animals to a Scottish show should complete one MD. They should tick the Show Move box, enter the Show CPH and complete the Destination Address as "[name of show] & return home". The individual identification number of animals moving to shows must be recorded on the MD. A single MD covers the move to and from the show - this should be sent to SAMU by the keeper within 3 days of the show. Please do not submit your MD to the show staff.
Keepers moving sheep or goats to a show in England or Wales should fill out the MD as normal without "& return home" and then pass it to the show organisers. You must obtain an English/Welsh MD from the show secretary which should be completed before the return journey home to Scotland. This document should be submitted to SAMU within 3 days of returning home.
Requirements for Crofters
The very specific historical and legislative rights of crofting townships continued to be recognised in disease control terms against these identification and traceability requirements, and there are therefore no changes to the existing requirements.
Enforcement
The requirements outlined in this document result from the full implementation of EU Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 21/2004.
Local Authority and Rural Payments and Inspections / Animal Health Staff can make compliance checks at any time. A range of enforcement action can be taken when breaches are found, ranging from a verbal warning to prosecution.
Scottish Animal Movement Unit (SAMU) CONTACT DETAILS
Phone: 0845 6017597
Fax: 01387 274457
E-mail: samu@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Address - SAMU, 161 Brooms Road, Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway, DG1 3ES
Summary of Requirements
Tagging
- All animals born after 18 January 2008 or not identified by that date must be identified by two means of identification
- Animals intended for domestic slaughter before the age of 12 months may be identified by a single UK tag
- All lost or illegible tags must be replaced within 28 days from discovery (see replacement tagging summary table for further requirements)
- Movement tags, 'S' Baseline tags and 'F' Import tags are no longer required for any animal.
- All animals for export must be double tagged with identical numbers
- Imported animals from outwith the EU must be identified with two means of identification within 14 days of arrival with two UK tags
Movement Documents & reporting movements
- All movements from a holding must be accompanied with a Movement Document (except for allowed exemptions)
- Departure keepers, transporters/hauliers and receiving keepers must complete the required information fields on the Movement Document
- The consigning keeper must retain the pink copy for three years. The white and yellow copies must travel with the animal to the receiving keeper. The yellow copy must be retained by the receiving keeper for three years and the white copy sent to SAMU within 3 days
- Markets may use their own version of movement documents and any movement through a market or abattoir will be electronically reported to SAMU - keepers must provide these operators with the required information to do so
Flock/Herd Registers
- Each permanent CPH must have its own register
- All movements on and off the holding must be recorded in the register within 36 hrs of the event
- All animals that receive replacement identifiers shall record this fact in the register, cross referencing the original identity if known.
- Animals that move off the holding on a temporary basis (i.e. grazing, shearing, dipping) but remaining under the same keepership should record the movement details in the register of the main holding
Replacement Tagging Summary Tables
Rules on replacing lost tags for animals born or identified on or after 18 January 2008; and holding register requirements
| | Animal on holding of birth | Animal not on holding of birth |
|---|
| Slaughter tagged animals | If you know flock or herd mark of the lost or illegible tag | Replace with an identical tag OR apply another UK tag with a different individual number. Record that fact in the holding register. | Replace with an identical tag and record in the holding register, OR replace with a single R tag and, in the holding register, cross-reference the flock or herd mark on the R tag with that on the lost or illegible tag. |
| If you don't know the flock or herd mark of the lost or illegible tag | N/A | Apply a single R tag, and record the flock/herd mark of that tag in the holding register and note the fact that the flock or herd mark of birth is unknown. |
| Double-tagged animal | If one tag is lost or illegible and another tag remains | Replace with an identical tag OR apply another UK tag with a different individual number. Record that fact in the holding register. | Replace with an identical tag and record in the holding register, or apply an R tag and, in the holding register, cross-reference the flock or herd mark on the R tag with that on the remaining tag. |
| If both tags are lost or illegible and you know the flock or herd mark of the lost or illegible tag | Apply two new identical UK tags Record that fact in the holding register. | Apply two R tags (with different individual numbers). In the holding register, record the full identification marks on the R tags and cross-reference with the flock/herd mark of the lost tag. |
| If both tags are lost or illegible and you don't know the flock or herd mark of the lost or illegible tag | N/A | Apply two R tags (with different individual numbers). In the holding register, record the full identification marks of the new tags, and note the fact that the flock or herd mark of birth is unknown. |
Rules for replacing lost tags for animals born or identified before 18 January 2008; and holding register requirements
| | Animal on holding of birth | Animal not on holding of birth |
|---|
| If a UK tag needs replacing | If you know the identification number of the lost or illegible tag | Replace with an identical UK tag or apply another UK tag with a different individual number. Record that fact in the holding register. | Apply with an identical UK tag OR an R tag and cross-reference the flock or herd mark on the R tag with that on the lost or illegible tag in the holding register. |
| If you don't know the identification number of the lost or illegible tag | N/A | Apply an R tag. In the holding register, record the full identification mark of the new tag, and note the fact that the flock or herd mark of birth is unknown. |
| If an S baseline tag needs replacing | If you know the identification number of the lost or illegible tag | N/A | Apply an R tag and cross-reference the flock or herd mark on the R tag with that on the lost or illegible tag. Record that fact in the holding register. |
| If you don't know the identification number of the lost or illegible tag | N/A | Apply an R tag. In the holding register, record the full identification mark of the new tag, and note the fact that the flock or herd mark of birth is unknown. |
| Movement tag needs replacing | | N/A | No need to replace |
| If an R tag needs replacing | If you know the identification number of the lost or illegible tag | N/A | Apply another R tag and cross-reference the flock or herd mark on the R tag with that on the lost or illegible tag in the holding register. |
| If you don't know the identification number of the lost or illegible tag | N/A | Apply an R tag. In the holding register, record the full identification mark of the new tag, and note the fact that that the flock or herd mark of birth is unknown. |
| If an F tag needs replacing | If you know the identification number of the lost or illegible tag | N/A | Apply an R tag and cross-reference the flock or herd mark on the R tag with that on the lost or illegible tag in the holding register. |
| If you don't know the identification number of the lost or illegible tag | N/A | Apply an R tag. In the holding register, record the full identification mark of the new tag, and note the fact that that the flock or herd mark of birth is unknown. |
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