The Sheep and Goats Identification (Scotland) Regulations 2000

Marking sheep and goats born in Scotland

7.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of this regulation, the keeper of any sheep or goat born in Scotland on or after the date of coming into force of these Regulations, or which is still on its holding of birth on that date, shall mark it as soon as possible, and in any case before it is moved from the holding of birth with an eartag or tattoo consisting of—

(a) in the case of an eartag, the letters “UK” followed by the flockmark or herdmark of the holding of birth; or

(b) in the case of a tattoo, the flockmark or herdmark of the holding of birth.

(2) In the case of the movement off a holding of a sheep or goat, which has not been marked in accordance with this regulation, it shall be a defence in any proceedings under this regulation for the person moving the sheep or goat to prove—

(a) that it was moved from the holding of birth to be tattooed or to receive veterinary treatment; and

(b) that it was returned to the holding of birth immediately after being tattooed or so treated.

(3) Paragraph (1) above shall not apply in relation to sheep or goats which were marked with an eartag or tattoo indicating the flockmark or herdmark of the holding of its birth or breed society mark before the coming into force of these Regulations and which are still on the holding of birth at that date.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) above, for a period of one year after the coming into force of these Regulations (except in the case of regulation 11 below)—

(a) a keeper may mark a sheep or goat with a tag which bears the flockmark or herdmark of the holding of its birth without the prefix “UK”; or

(b) a keeper may mark a sheep or goat with a breed society mark.

(5) The Scottish Ministers shall maintain a register of marks issued by breed societies and shall enter in such register any mark which a breed society applies to them to be registered under this paragraph.