The Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) (Scotland) Order 2009

PART 6 Identification devices

Approval of identification devices

30.  Any means of identification used to comply with this Order must be of a type approved by the Scottish Ministers.

Supplementary information

31.—(1) In accordance with the second paragraph of Section A.2 of the Annex, at the request of a keeper, a manufacturer of approved means of identification may add supplementary information if the supplementary information is distinct from the identification code and the identification code remains legible at all times.

(2) A keeper may apply an additional tag to an animal but it must not contain the letters “UK” or a flockmark or herdmark issued by the Scottish Ministers.

Removal of metal eartags

32.  No person may remove a metal eartag from the ear of an animal unless it is necessary to do so for the welfare of that animal.

Colour of identification devices

33.—(1) No person may attach a red identification device to any animal, other than a replacement identification device.

(2) Where a keeper re-identifies an animal and that animal is not on its holding of birth, or the keeper does not know the holding of birth, the keeper must use a red replacement identification device but the requirement to use a red identification device does not apply to the use of boluses.

(3) Where an animal is identified by means of a bolus and a second identification device that second device must be black and a black identification device may only be used in combination with a bolus.

(4) The characters on all identification devices must be a different colour to the background of the device and must be clearly legible.

Destruction of identification devices

34.—(1) The operator of a slaughterhouse, or any person who finally disposes of an identified animal carcase, must destroy, in a secure manner which prevents reuse, all identification devices on animals slaughtered or otherwise disposed of.

(2) Secure destruction includes the rendering of any identification device.

Emergency veterinary treatment

35.  Any provision in this Order requiring the application of a means of identification to an animal before it is moved from a holding does not apply if the movement is for the purpose of emergency veterinary treatment.

Protection from suffering

36.  Any provision in this Order requiring the application of a means of identification to an animal does not apply where applying the means of identification would cause unnecessary suffering to the animal.

Alteration of means of identification

37.  No person may alter, obliterate or deface the information on any means of identification applied to an animal under—

(a) the Council Regulation;

(b) this Order or any provision giving effect to the Council Regulation in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland or another Member State;

(c) any of the previous United Kingdom Orders or Regulations; or

(d) the Council Directive (in the case of an animal marked in another Member State in accordance with that Directive).