The Pigs (Records, Identification and Movement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012

Ear tags and tattoos

This section has no associated Explanatory Memorandum

7.—(1) An ear tag shall be—

(a)easy to read during the pig’s lifetime;

(b)made of either metal or plastic or a combination of metal and plastic;

(c)tamper-resistant;

(d)incapable of re-use;

(e)designed to remain attached to the pig without harming it;

(f)printed with the keeper’s holding code.

(2) A person shall not sell or supply an ear tag except in accordance with the conditions of a licence issued by the Department.

(3) A tattoo shall be applied either by tattoo forceps, in which case it shall be on an ear, or by slap-marking equipment in which case it shall be on the shoulder.

(4) As an alternative to applying a tattoo by methods referred to in paragraph (3) a keeper may apply a tattoo to a shoulder of a pig by means of equipment which uses compressed air to drive the tattooing pins into the skin of the pig.

(5) A tattoo shall be easy to read during the pig’s lifetime.

(6) A tattoo shall bear a holding code or in the case of a pig being moved direct to slaughter, a tattoo may bear a holding code or curer mark.