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1. Procedures for the purposes of identification
16. Animals are required to be identified for a variety of reasons. Identification of some kinds of animals is an EC requirement. Some require tags or other means of identification to be "distance readable". A number of methods of identification are currently undertaken.
17. We propose that a number of methods of identification which involve interference with the sensitive tissues of an animal will continue to be permitted subject to any specified conditions or restrictions. These procedures are freeze branding, hot branding, tattooing, ear notching, ear clipping, ear tagging, ear tipping and pit tagging.
1.1 Freeze branding of bovine animals, horses and fish
18. Freeze branding is a method of branding with extremely cold irons which causes white hair to grow instead of the natural hair coat in the branded area. It is a method of permanent identification used in certain breeds of cattle and horses. It is also used as a method of identifying fish, where the scales change colour. This is used to identify fish of particular family lines.
19. It is proposed that freeze branding will be permitted only for bovine animals, horses and fish and only where it is undertaken for identification purposes.
1.2 Hot branding of horses
20. Hot branding is widely used in some European countries as a method of identifying horses. In certain circumstances, such as the identification of wild ponies, it is considered the best and most appropriate means of identification. (hot branding in cattle is prohibited under The Welfare of Livestock (Prohibited Operations) Regulations 1982, and it is proposed that this procedure will continue to be prohibited).
21. It is proposed that hot branding will be permitted for horses only and again only when undertaken for the purposes of identification.
1.3 Chemical branding of fish
22. Chemical branding of fish is undertaken to mark fish, in order to identify fish of particular family lines.
23. We wish to permit the chemical branding of fish for identification purposes only.
1.4 Tattooing
24. Tattooing is a means of permanent identification. It is often favoured for goats, as some have the habit of chewing ear tags. It is less commonly undertaken now as a result of the requirement for ear tags for livestock and the increased use of microchips in dogs. The practice requires more patience than tagging and also has more potential (than most current designs of ear tag) for transmission of disease between animals.
25. We intend that this procedure will continue to be permitted for all species of animal (except birds, fish and reptiles) for identification purposes.
1.5 Ear notching and clipping
26. Ear notching has been undertaken in outdoor pigs as ear tattoos and tags are often difficult to read due to dirt. It has largely been replaced by other identification methods such as electronic ear buttons.
27. We propose that ear notching and clipping will be permitted for all species of animal for identification purposes.
1.6 Ear tagging
28. Legislation sets down that a range of farm animals must be identified by ear tagging and specify how this is to be achieved. There are many brands of tag, and these have to be suitable for the breed, size and age of the animal. It is intended that ear tagging will continue to be permitted for identification purposes in all species of animal.
1.7 Microchipping
29. Microchipping is the insertion of a small electronic transponder under the skin of an animal by injection. This remains in the animal throughout its life and is a completely permanent method used to identify animals. All veterinary surgeries, dog pounds and animal rescue homes have an electronic scanner to read microchips and thereby identify the owner of any lost or stray animals. This practice is most commonly used in companion animals such as dogs.
30. Microchipping will be permitted for identification purposes in all species of animal.
1.8 Pit tagging of fish
31. Pit tagging is another means of identifying fish. This involves a small piece of metal being inserted into the head or abdomen of the fish.
32. It is proposed that pit tagging of fish for identification purposes will continue to be permitted.
1.9 Ear tipping of feral cats
33. It is estimated that several hundred feral cats have their ears tipped each year in Scotland. In this procedure, the top 10 mm of the left ear is removed. This is performed as part of a control scheme in which cats are placed back on a managed site where they will be fed. Ear tipping enables neutered feral cats to be identified at a distance so that they do not need to be subjected to the stress of re-trapping, examination, and even unnecessary laparotomy.
34. It is proposed that the tipping of the ears of feral cats for identification purposes will continue to be permitted.
1.10 Insertion of subcutaneous tracking device
35. The insertion of a subcutaneous tracking device is used to track animals. This is a transmitter inserted under the skin which transmits a signal to a receiver to ascertain the location of the animal.
36. It is intended that the insertion of subcutaneous tracking devices will be permitted for identification purposes in relation to fish, feral cats, dogs and any other species of animal not specifically mentioned in the Regulations.
1.11 Removal or perforation of parts of the fins, adipose fins or fin rays of fish
37. The removal of the adipose fin in wild salmon is a common practice among researchers and fishery trust biologists. This is used to aid identification. Under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 a wild salmon becomes a "protected animal" under the Act if it is under the control of man on a permanent or temporary basis or is not living in a wild state. This means that if a wild salmon is captured it is under the control of man.
38. It is intended that this procedure will continue to be permitted. The removal or perforation of parts of the fins, adipose fins or fin rays of fish for identification purposes is listed in the Regulations.
1.12 Any other method of identification required by law
39. This is intended to ensure that any further methods of identification which are required by law are permitted.
1.13 Other procedures for identification purposes
40. We believe that we have included all the procedures used to identify animals that should be permitted under section 20(5) of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.
Question 2: Are there any other procedures used to identify animals that should be included in the Regulations? If so what should these include?
Some methods of identification are restricted to certain species. In addition all permitted procedures (not just those carried out for identification purposes) must be carried out in accordance with the Veterinary Surgeons Act (and related Orders), the Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Acts, the Animal Health and Welfare Act and under hygienic conditions and in accordance with good practice.
Question 3: Should additional restrictions be placed on any of theprocedures used to identify animals?
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