The Sheep and Goats Identification (England) Order 2000

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order, which implements the provisions relating to sheep and goats of Council Directive 92/102/EEC on the identification and registration of animals (O.J. No. L355, 5.12.92, p.32), makes provision for records and other documentation concerning sheep and goats and for the marking of sheep and goats. It revokes the Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1996, S.I. 1996/28.

The Order requires any person who keeps sheep and goats to notify the Minister (article 3).

The Order requires anyone keeping sheep or goats to keep movement records and, in the case of keepers who are sheepmeat producers for the purposes of Council Regulation 3493/90/EEC laying down general rules for the grant of premium to sheepmeat and goatmeat producers (O.J. No. L337, 4.12.90, p.7) additional records relating to specified events (articles 4 to 6).

The Order makes provision for marking sheep and goats, either by an eartag or by a tattoo. Subject to certain exceptions and transitional provisions, from 1 January 2001 marking is required for all animals born or first moved off the holding of birth after that date and for all sheep and goats imported into England from outside the European Union (articles 7 to 9). The Order prohibits bringing sheep or goats into England from another member State or from another part of the United Kingdom, Channel Islands or Isle of Man unless they are marked (articles 10 and 11).

The order requires marking sheep and goats when they are consigned to a destination outside Great Britain (article 12) and to a destination within Great Britain (article 13). It also provides for documentation to be carried when sheep or goats are moved within Great Britain (article 14). It makes provision for the removal and replacement of eartags and tattoos and the application of additional eartags and tattoos and prohibits the alteration of eartags and tattoos (articles 15 to 17). It also makes provision for the production of records (article 18).

With the exception of article 5, which is enforced by the Minister, the Order is enforced by the local authority (article 19).

Breach of any provisions of the Order is an offence under section 73 of the Animal Health Act 1981 punishable on conviction with a fine of level 5 on the standard scale (currently £5,000).

A regulatory impact assessment has been made and a copy has been deposited in the library of each House of Parliament. Copies can be obtained from the Animal Health (Disease Control) Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 1A Page Street, London SW1P 4PQ.