The Sheep and Goats Identification and Movement (Interim Measures) (Wales) (No. 2) Order 2002

Removal and replacement of eartags and tattoos

13.—(1) Except under the authority of an officer of the National Assembly, a person may not remove or replace an eartag or a tattoo which has been applied to an animal in accordance with this Order, the 2000 Regulations, or the Sheep and Goats Identification and Movement (Interim Measures) (Wales) Regulations 2002, unless it has become illegible or in the case of an eartag, is removed for welfare purposes or is lost.

(2) When an Origin Mark, F Mark or R Mark has become illegible, is removed for welfare purposes or is lost, the keeper must—

(a) apply an identical mark;

(b) apply—

(i) where the original mark was an Origin Mark, a tag with the letters “UK” followed by the flockmark or herdmark of the holding where the animal is kept or a tattoo with the flockmark or herdmark of the holding where the animal is kept;

(ii) where the original mark was an F Mark, a tag with the letters “UK” followed by the flockmark or herdmark of the holding where the animal is kept followed by the letter F or a tattoo with the flockmark or herdmark of the holding where the animal is kept followed by the letter F; or

(iii) where the original mark was an R Mark, a new R Mark, and cross-reference the new mark with the original mark in the record kept under article 4 or 5; or

(c) where the action in neither sub-paragraph (a) nor (b) can be carried out, apply an R Mark.

(3) When an S Mark has become illegible or is lost, the keeper shall, if he or she knows the details (specified in article 6(7)) that were on that mark, replace it with an identical mark.

(4) Paragraph (2) and (3) shall not apply in the case of an animal at a market or slaughterhouse.

(5) No person shall consign any sheep or goat outside Great Britain if it is marked with an eartag or tattoo ending with the letter “R” showing that it is a replacement eartag or tattoo.