Identification and Movement of Sheep and Goats Order (Northern Ireland) 2004

Identification of animals

4.—(1) The keeper of an animal born after the date of coming into operation of this Order shall –

(a) identify it with the appropriate flock or herd mark within 21 days of birth; and

(b) attach to the animal’s left ear, an approved eartag (hereinafter referred to as the “natal tag”) –

(i) by the age of 9 months, or

(ii) before the animal leaves the holding on which it was born, or

(iii) before the expiry of the reconciliation period for the year in which the animal was born,

whichever is earlier.

(c) where an animal is born between 16 December and 31 December of any calendar year, the reconciliation period for the purposes of this Article shall be construed as belonging to the next calendar year after the year in which the animals were born.

(2) Except as otherwise provided by paragraph (3) and Article 11(1) the keeper shall upon movement of an animal onto a holding attach a green approved eartag to the animal’s right ear.

(3) Where an animal which has previously been kept on 2 holdings is moved to a third holding the keeper of that animal shall attach a further approved eartag to the animal’s right ear.

(4) Where an animal to which paragraph (3) applies is moved to any subsequent holding the keeper –

(a) shall record the details of any one of the approved eartags attached to the animal on any of the previous holdings but;

(b) shall not attach a further approved eartag to the animal except in accordance with Article 6(b) or 12(1).

(5) In this Article “holding” does not include any premises or place used for the time being for the purposes of a market, trading premises, fair, show or sale of animals, slaughterhouse or a veterinary practice or clinic.