The Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005

Identification of animals born in Northern Ireland on or after 9th July 2005

9.—(1) The keeper shall identify an animal born on or after 9th July 2005 in accordance with Article 4(1) and (2) of the Council Regulation and this Article.

(2) For the purposes of Article 4(1) of the Council Regulation, the keeper of an animal to which this Article applies shall attach to the animal’s left ear, a green approved eartag (hereinafter referred to as the “natal tag”)—

(a) 9 months from the date of birth; or

(b) before the animal leaves the holding on which it was born;

whichever is the earlier.

(3) For the purposes of Article 4(2)(b) of the Council Regulation, the second means of identification is—

(a) an eartag conforming to Section A.4 of the Annex to the Council Regulation;

(b) an electronic transponder conforming to Sections A.2, A.4 and A.6 of the Annex to the Council Regulation; or

(c) in the case of goats only, a mark on the pastern.

(4) A person shall not add numbers or letters to an eartag other than in accordance with this Order.

(5) A person shall not attach an eartag to any animal unless that eartag is—

(a) approved by the Department; and

(b) inscribed with the indicator “UK 9”, the appropriate herd or flock number and an individual animal identification number allocated to the animal.