Removal of eartags and missing or illegible eartags
24.—(1) No person shall intentionally remove an eartag affixed under regulation 22 unless it is removed to prevent unnecessary pain and suffering.
(2) If the keeper of a vaccinated animal removes its eartag in accordance with paragraph 9 or discovers that its eartag is missing or illegible (whether wholly or partially), the keeper shall notify the Scottish Ministers in writing without delay.
(3) On receipt of a notification under this regulation, the Scottish Ministers shall–
(a)arrange for a new eartag to be affixed to the vaccinated animal; or
(b)if affixing an eartag would cause unnecessary pain and suffering, arrange for the animal to be identified as vaccinated by applying a permanent indelible mark.
(4) Any person who knows or suspects that an animal has been vaccinated but is not bearing an eartag or a mark applied under paragraph (3)(b) shall immediately notify the keeper of that animal and the Divisional Veterinary Manager.