PART 4Removal or replacement of means of identification of animals identified under Part 3
Application of Part 4
11. This Part applies to all animals identified under Part 3.
Removal or replacement of means of identification
12.—(1) No person may contravene or fail to comply with Article 4(6)(first paragraph) of the Council Regulation.
(2) But a keeper must replace a lost or illegible means of identification, in accordance with articles 13 or 14 as the case may require, as soon as possible after the original means of identification is discovered to be lost or illegible, but in any event—
(a)no later than 28 days after it was discovered to be lost or illegible, and
(b)before the animal is moved from the holding.
(3) Where an identification mark is replaced with an identification mark bearing a different identification code and the old identification code is known the keeper must cross-reference the old and new identification codes in the holding register.
(4) It is a defence for any person charged with an offence of contravening or failing to comply with paragraphs (1) or (2) to prove that—
(a)the means of identification was removed to prevent unnecessary pain to an animal; and
(b)a replacement means of identification bearing the same identification code was applied to the animal as soon as possible.
Replacement of the means of identification for animals identified according to article 9
13.—(1) Where an animal identified according to article 9 loses one means of identification, or that means of identification becomes illegible, the means of identification is replaced in accordance with this article if it is replaced with one bearing the same 12 digit number or the remaining identification device is removed and the animal is re-identified according to article 9.
(2) Where an animal identified according to article 9 loses both means of identification, or both means of identification become illegible it is re-identified according to this article if it is re-identified according to article 9.
Replacement of lost or illegible means of identification for animals identified according to article 10
14.—(1) Where an animal identified according to article 10 loses its eartag or that eartag becomes illegible and is on its holding of birth it is re-identified according to this article if the eartag is replaced with an eartag bearing the same flockmark or herdmark.
(2) Where an animal identified according to article 10 loses its eartag or that eartag becomes illegible and is not on its holding of birth, or if the keeper does not know if it is on its holding of birth, it is re-identified according to this article if the eartag is replaced with a red eartag bearing the flockmark or herdmark of the holding the animal is now on.